Senior Project Engineer - Geotechnical

Nicholas O'Dwyer Ltd; Cork; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Nicholas O’Dwyer Ltd in Ireland is seeking a Senior Project Engineer – Geotechnical to join our Civil & Structural Department and lead geotechnical design for major projects across Ireland.

The role requires strong interpretation of ground conditions, supervision of ground investigations, and development of practical, buildable solutions. You will work with clients and multidisciplinary teams from feasibility to construction, ensuring Eurocode 7 compliance.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering or Geotechnical Engineering (BEng/BSc/MEng or equivalent).
• Chartered Engineer status or actively working towards chartership.
• Minimum 5 years’ relevant geotechnical experience.
• Strong knowledge of Eurocode 7 and related standards.
• Experience in ground investigations and interpretation of results.

Responsibilities

• Lead geotechnical design from feasibility through detailed design and construction support.
• Plan, specify, procure and supervise ground investigations and testing, interpreting results.
• Manage ground risk throughout the project lifecycle with a proactive risk register.
• Prepare calculations, drawings, specifications, reports and tender documentation.
• Mentor engineers, graduates and technicians in geotechnical disciplines.
• Coordinate geotechnical inputs within multidisciplinary design teams.

Skills

Geotechnical design

Ground investigations

Project management

Client liaison

Education

Civil/Geotechnical Eng degree

Tools

PLAXIS

GeoStudio

Rocscience

Oasys

Job description

About The Company

At Nicholas O’Dwyer, we have been shaping Ireland’s infrastructure for more than 90 years.

The Vacancy

About The Company

At Nicholas O’Dwyer, we have been shaping Ireland’s infrastructure for more than 90 years.

As Ireland’s oldest consulting engineering firm, we combine a proud engineering heritage with a modern, ambitious approach to delivering the infrastructure of the future. Today, our engineers are helping to deliver some of Ireland’s most significant projects across urban regeneration, water and wastewater, transportation, energy, buildings, public realm and major civil infrastructure.

Sustainability and innovation are at the heart of what we do. We use our engineering expertise, emerging technologies and practical understanding of project delivery to develop solutions that make a lasting difference to the communities we serve.

Headquartered in Ireland, Nicholas O’Dwyer also operates across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. As part of the RSK Group – a global network of more than 200 companies and 17,000 employees – our people have access to the scale, expertise and international opportunities of a major global organisation, while Nicholas O’Dwyer retains the identity, autonomy and close‑knit culture that have defined the company for generations.

About The Role

We are looking for an experienced Senior Project Engineer – Geotechnical to join Nicholas O’Dwyer’s growing Civil & Structural Department and play a key role in the design and delivery of major projects across Ireland.

The role requires a strong foundation in geotechnical engineering, with experience interpreting ground conditions and developing practical, safe and buildable engineering solutions across varied infrastructure projects.

Our project portfolio ranges from major urban regeneration schemes such as Cork Docklands to water and wastewater infrastructure, schools and hospitals, sports facilities, airports, public realm and energy infrastructure. You will provide geotechnical expertise across these projects, helping teams understand and manage ground‑related risks from initial feasibility through to construction.

You will join an ambitious and growing team where engineers are given responsibility and encouraged to take ownership of their projects. You will have opportunities to work directly with clients, influence key engineering decisions and coordinate geotechnical inputs within multidisciplinary design teams.

The role offers exposure across the full project lifecycle, including feasibility and optioneering, ground investigation, preliminary and detailed design, procurement, construction support and handover.

We are looking for someone who wants to continue developing technically while taking greater responsibility for projects, clients and project delivery. The role can be shaped around your experience, strengths and the direction in which you want to develop your career.

Key Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate geotechnical design and delivery from feasibility and concept through detailed design, procurement and construction support.


• Plan, specify, procure and supervise ground investigations, including specialist contractors and laboratory testing. Interpret the results to derive ground models and characteristic geotechnical design parameters.


• Manage ground risk throughout the project life cycle, maintaining the geotechnical risk register and identifying uncertainties, with recommendations in ground investigation reports (GIRs), geotechnical design reports (GDRs) and geotechnical interpretative reports (GIRs).


• Undertake and oversee geotechnical analysis and design of shallow and piled foundations, retaining structures, earthworks, slopes, embankments, excavations and ground improvement. Assess bearing capacity, settlement, slope stability, groundwater effects and soil–structure interaction. Ensure designs comply with Eurocode 7, relevant Irish and British Standards, client requirements and health and safety obligations (including designer duties under the Construction Regulations).


• Prepare and review calculations, drawings, specifications, technical reports and tender documentation.


• Take ownership of projects and geotechnical design packages, coordinating internal and external resources to deliver high‑quality engineering solutions.


• Work within multidisciplinary teams alongside civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, environmental and other specialists, ensuring geotechnical recommendations are incorporated into the wider design.


• Manage project programmes, budgets, resources, risks and deliverables to achieve time, cost and quality objectives.


• Work directly with clients and stakeholders, providing clear technical advice and helping resolve ground‑related engineering and delivery challenges.


• Provide technical support through procurement and construction, including responding to technical queries, reviewing contractor submissions and attending site where required.


• Review ground conditions encountered during construction and advise on their implications for design, construction methods and any required additional investigation or monitoring.


• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineers, graduates and technicians, supporting the development of the wider team.


• Promote high standards of technical quality, sustainability, innovation and client service, including efficient foundation solutions and appropriate reuse of earthworks materials.


• To ensure maximum flexibility and to reflect the Company's evolving needs, additional tasks and responsibilities will form part of this role as it evolves.

Key Requirements

• Degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering or a related engineering discipline (BEng, BSc, MEng or equivalent). A postgraduate qualification in Geotechnical Engineering would be advantageous.


• Chartered Engineer status or actively working towards chartership with Engineers Ireland, ICE or an equivalent recognised professional institution.


• A minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience in geotechnical engineering.


• Strong technical knowledge of soil mechanics, foundation engineering, retaining structures, earthworks, slope stability, settlement and groundwater behaviour. Knowledge of rock mechanics would be advantageous. Experience in soft ground engineering preferable.


• Experience in ground model development from desk study stage through to detailed design.


• Experience in managing ground investigation data including use of OpenGround and software capability interfaces. Integration of Ground Investigation information into wider project deliverables.


• Experience in scoping and specifying ground investigations, interpreting factual information and derivation of parameters.


• Demonstratable experience in procuring and managing ground investigations at various scales and complexity.


• Experience delivering geotechnical engineering projects or design packages from feasibility and concept development through detailed design and construction support.


• Experience preparing geotechnical interpretative reports, design reports and supporting calculations with the ability to communicate findings and recommendations clearly.


• Experience in preparing construction issue documentation including discipline specifications (earthworks, monitoring and piling) and drawing reviews.


• Strong knowledge of Eurocode 7 and relevant geotechnical design and ground investigation standards, with the ability to apply these effectively in practice. Previous Irish or UK project experience would be advantageous but is not essential.


• Proficiency in relevant geotechnical analysis and design software, such as PLAXIS, GeoStudio, Rocscience, Oasys or equivalent.


• Experience working within multidisciplinary teams and coordinating internal and external design resources, ground investigation contractors and specialist suppliers.


• Strong communication, leadership and project management skills, with the confidence to engage directly with clients, contractors and other project stakeholders.


• Ability to exercise sound engineering judgement, identify and manage geotechnical risks, and develop practical, buildable solutions.


• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while maintaining programme, budget and technical quality requirements.


• A full clean Irish driving licence.

About Us

Our mission is to deliver sustainable solutions that transform communities and bring about lasting positive change. Through a blend of expertise, innovation and global dedication, we envision a world where sustainable engineering protects growing communities.

Nicholas O’Dwyer provides professional services in engineering design, project management, environment and planning, construction supervision and technical and contract advisory. We are one of the most respected Irish consultancies operating in local and international markets, providing professional services to public‑and private‑sector clients.

Whether in Ireland, the UK or internationally, we understand and solve major challenges associated with delivering and adapting infrastructure for an increasing global population while maintaining a sustainable environment for future generations.

Nicholas O’Dwyer is part of the RSK Group, a leading integrated environmental, engineering, and technical services business providing dynamic, multidisciplinary services to a wide range of sectors. RSK was founded in 1989 and has grown considerably since then.

At RSK, we operate as a group of businesses that work together seamlessly, aiming for growth through diversification. Our strategy helps us build a strong and resilient business, capable of weathering external challenges, while also providing greater value to our clients and more opportunities for our employees.

Since the beginning, our philosophy has remained the same: employ, develop and reward talented individuals. People are crucial to our company, and we recognise that our success hinges on our colleagues' growth. We're committed to preserving RSK's people‑first culture, promoting innovation, and fostering a supportive and caring environment for collaboration. At RSK, we want you to be part of our successes and help you reach your career aspirations. We take pride in offering employees fulfilling and challenging careers by promoting ongoing growth and empowering individuals to excel.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We firmly believe that embracing and celebrating the diversity in our workforce makes us a stronger and more innovative company.

If you're passionate about making a difference, join us as we work together to build a brighter, more equitable, and sustainable future for all. Do you have what it takes?