Senior / Principal Geotechnical Engineer

WSP; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in Gloucester seeks a Senior/Principal Geotechnical Engineer to join the Local Government team on the Gloucestershire County Council professional services contract. Based in central Gloucester, you will deliver geotechnical, highways, bridges and infrastructure schemes with a focus on practical assessment, design and risk management.

You will lead a team, develop ground investigations, write reports and provide liaison with clients while mentoring junior staff and maintaining client

Qualifications

• A degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent qualification/experience.
• Chartered Engineer with relevant institute.
• Experience of Designers Duties under CDM regulations.
• Ability to develop pragmatic geotechnical solutions for clients.
• Effective communicator with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide geotechnical input across project stages from concept to asset management.
• Lead geotechnical projects as technical lead.
• Develop and procure ground investigations.
• Write and check reports and memos.
• Prepare design and assessment calculations (piling, etc.).
• Check CDM documentation.
• Support project management and client relations.
• Mentor and coach junior staff.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Project leadership

Communication

CDM awareness

Client liaison

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Chartered Engineer (CEng)

Job description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

A little more about your role...

We have a new opportunity for a Senior or Principal Geotechnical Engineer to join our Local Government team working on the Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) professional services contract. Based in central Gloucester, you will help deliver a growing programme of geotechnical, highways, bridges and infrastructure schemes across the county, with a focus on practical assessment, design and risk management.

You will work within a team of established professionals with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of geotechnical conditions and projects across the county. You will be further supported by geotechnical colleagues from across WSP who provide additional resources and specialist expertise to deliver high quality services.

Gloucestershire's varied geology, topography and highway network create recurring geotechnical challenges including slopes, embankments, retaining structures, landslips and resilience issues. The 2026/27 financial year is an important period, with GCC providing additional funding to the geotechnical programme in response to the frequency and impact of geotechnical occurrences across the county.

Your role will involve a wide range of work and responsibilities, these will include:

• Involvement through all stages of geotechnical schemes, from early advice and investigation planning through to design, construction support and asset management.
• Undertaking the technical lead role on a range of geotechnical-related projects.
• Development and procurement of ground investigations.
• Writing and checking of reports (monitoring memos, desk studies, ground investigation reports etc.).
• Undertaking and checking design and assessment calculations (piling, soil nailing, shallow foundations, earthworks etc.).
• Checking of CDM documentation.
• Supporting the project management of schemes.
• Maintaining and developing excellent Client relationships.
• Support the development of more junior staff through technical training and mentoring.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

• A passion for working on projects that make a real difference to local communities.
• A degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent qualification/experience.
• Chartered Engineer through a relevant professional institute.
• Experience of complying with Designers Duties under CDM regulations.
• Experience of working with clients to understand their needs and develop pragmatic geotechnical solutions that provide value, durability and proportionate risk management.
• Evidence of being a confident communicator able to convey your point of view and keep stakeholders and colleagues informed.