Senior / Principal Geo-environmental Scientist

Arup; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Arup is seeking a Senior/Principal Geo-environmental Scientist to strengthen our geoenvironmental capability in Wales and the West. Based in Cardiff or Bristol, you will lead contaminated land assessments for diverse projects, working with clients from private developers to public authorities in a multidisciplinary setting.

You will guide senior technical delivery, develop junior staff, manage ground investigations, and drive project success through strong relationships and compliance with UK

Qualifications

• Honours degree in a relevant subject.
• Membership of a relevant institute (CIWEM/IES/Geological Society of London/RSC) and Chartered status.
• Knowledge of working within a commercial environment, including client liaison, programme and time management, quality assurance and budget control.
• Understanding all stages of contaminated land assessment from desk study to remediation.
• Experience in brownfield development and related techniques and regulations.
• Strong understanding of UK legislation and best practices for land contamination and waste.
• Driving Licence.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across geoenvironmental projects, delivering high-quality, innovative solutions.
• Manage junior staff supporting contaminated land assessments.
• Lead professional development of junior team members.
• Oversee brownfield and contaminated land project delivery from appraisal to verification.
• Coordinate ground investigations with contractors and client teams.
• Manage project programming and budgets.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients, regulators and stakeholders.
• Contribute to work-winning activities and regional capability growth.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams regionally and globally.

Skills

Technical leadership

Project management

Client liaison

Ground investigations knowledge

Environmental compliance

UK legislation knowledge

Driving Licence

Education

Honours degree in a relevant subject

Chartered status

Job description

Senior / Principal Geo-environmental Scientist

Arup's purpose, shared values and collaborative approach have set us apart for over 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

Our Ground Engineering team in the Midlands, Wales and West geography of the UK brings together a diverse and highly skilled group of geoenvironmental, geotechnical and geological specialists. We work across a wide range of sectors including energy, transport, water and property, delivering sustainable solutions to complex ground-related challenges. With strong connections across the UK and globally, we combine local expertise with global insight to support our clients and communities.

At Arup, you will be part of an inclusive and supportive environment where knowledge is shared, curiosity is encouraged and individuals are supported to grow their careers while contributing to work that makes a positive difference.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior / Principal Geoenvironmental Consultant / Engineer to strengthen our established geoenvironmental capability in the Midlands, Wales and West. This role can be based in either Cardiff or Bristol and will play a key role in shaping regional delivery. You will lead delivery of contaminated land assessments for projects at all levels. Clients will include private developers, public sector authorities and other organisations. You will be working in a multi-disciplinary environment alongside other environmental, planning, engineering and urban design specialists, and will work closely with technical disciplines (both internal and external to Arup) to deliver high quality environmental consultancy services in contaminated land and brownfield development

Your role will include:

• Providing technical leadership across geoenvironmental projects, ensuring high-quality and innovative solutions.
• Managing junior staff supporting the delivery of contaminated land assessments.
• Leading the technical and professional development of more junior members of our team.
• Managing the delivery of brownfield and contaminated land projects, and geo-environmental aspects of projects across a wide variety of sectors, from initial appraisal to construction and verification.
• Managing ground investigations including supporting junior staff, working with ground investigation contractors and liaising with client teams.
• Project management activities including programming and budget control.
• Building strong relationships with clients, stakeholders and regulators, supporting project success and future opportunities.
• Contributing to work winning activities and growing the regional capability.
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across Arup, both regionally and globally.

At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective - in which we encourage individuality to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas.

You will have the opportunity to do socially useful work that has meaning - to Arup, to your career, to our members and to the clients and communities we serve.

Is this role right for you?

We are looking for people who bring a combination of technical strength, collaboration and a passion for delivering high-quality outcomes:

A good honours degree in a relevant subject. Member of a relevant institute (e.g. CIWEM, IES, Geological Society of London, RSC) and full Chartered status.

Knowledge of working within a commercial environment, including client liaison, programme and time management, quality assurance and financial/budget control.

A clear understanding of all levels of contaminated land assessment from initial land acquisitions, through desk study, investigation and assessment to remediation and to final remediation

Some wider technical expertise or at least a basic understanding, in some other areas of brownfield development would be expected. This could include waste classification, excavated materials management including the use of the DoWCoP, environmental permitting, and Environmental Impact Assessment.

Knowledge such as asbestos in soils, hydrogeology, DQRA, specific remediation techniques, ground gas or vapour assessment or other topics such as radiologically contaminated land.

Proven experience in geoenvironmental delivery on brownfield development projects, including familiarity with ground investigations, risk assessments and remediation.

Strong understanding of UK legislation, guidance and best practice relating to land contamination, materials management and waste.

Driving Licence

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact [e-mail] to let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.

What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each member's success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive - through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup's legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you'll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.

Different people, shared values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you're pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas - this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion - we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup.

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact [e-mail] to let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.

Our Application Process

To understand what to expect next, please visit https://www.arup.com/careers/recruitment-process/

Stay safe online - Arup will never ask for your bank details as part of our recruitment process.

Recruitment Agencies - We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on the list.

Closing Date: 28.10.2026

We may close the role earlier than the advertised date should we receive a large number of applications, so please ensure you apply early.

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