Senior Geotechnical Engineer

COWI; Kraków; On-site; PLN 240,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

COWI is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to lead analysis and design for foundations, tunnels, and underground structures across major infrastructure projects. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to balance budget, quality, and timelines while mentoring junior staff.

You will leverage Plaxis, GeoStudio, and Rocscience; apply Python/ Rhino/ Grasshopper for automation; and contribute to advancing geotechnical practice within a global engineering environment.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Civil Engineering with Geotechnical specialization.
• 10+ years of relevant experience, preferably in consulting.
• Proven design expertise for foundations, tunnels, underground structures.
• Experience with TBM and NATM tunnels.
• Proficient in geotechnical software: Plaxis, GeoStudio, Rocscience.
• Proficient in parametric/compute design tools: Python, Rhino, Grasshopper, Dynamo.
• Strong understanding of soil/rock mechanics and foundation engineering.
• Excellent communication and leadership; manage multidisciplinary teams.
• English proficiency (B2/C1); willingness for short international trips.
• Licensure or certification in geotechnical engineering preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead geotechnical design and analysis for foundations, retaining structures, slopes, and tunnels.
• Design geotechnical structures for various stages of infrastructure projects.
• Manage multidisciplinary project teams, coordinating inputs across geotechnical and structural disciplines.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers and technical staff.
• Plan and interpret geotechnical site investigations, including laboratory testing and ground characterization.
• Prepare technical documentation such as designs, drawings, construction sequencing, and reports.
• Guide digital and data-driven project delivery, integrating modern geotechnical software and parametric tools.
• Stay updated on industry best practices, regulatory requirements, and technological advancements.

Skills

Leadership

Teamwork

Problem solving

Self-organization

Communication

English proficiency (B2/C1)

Education

Master's degree in Civil Engineering with Geotechnical specialization

Tools

Plaxis 2D/3D

GeoStudio

Rocscience

Python

Rhino

Grasshopper

Dynamo

Job description

Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Warsaw / Wroclaw / Krakow

Permanent

Hybrid

Do you want to lead the analysis of soil, rock, and groundwater conditions to ensure the stability of complex and cutting-edge construction projects? Can you provide expert recommendations, solve challenging geotechnical problems, and help guide project teams in managing risks while meeting industry standards? And do you combine strong analytical skills and attention to detail with extensive geotechnical engineering experience? Then, join us in shaping the future of infrastructure.

Create the solutions that will enable a better tomorrow

As the Senior Geotechnical Engineer, you will oversee and deliver engineering analysis, design, and documentation for various structures as bridges, tunnels, deep shafts, caverns, embankments and retaining walls for our high-profile infrastructure and energy projects. In this role, you will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to manage and deliver tasks effectively, balancing budget, quality, and timelines.

Furthermore, on a day-to-day basis you will:

• Lead geotechnical design and analysis for foundations, retaining structures, slopes, and tunnels, including complex soil-structure interactions.
• Design geotechnical structures for various stages of infrastructure projects.
• Manage multidisciplinary project teams, coordinating inputs across geotechnical and structural d isciplines.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers and technical staff.
• Plan and interpret geotechnical site investigations,including laboratory testing and groundcharacterization.
• Manage preparation of technical documentation such as designs, drawings, construction sequencing, and comprehensive reports.
• Guide digital and data-driven project delivery, integrating modern geotechnical software and parametric tools.
• Stay updated on industry best practices, regulatory requirements, and technological advancements in geotechnical engineering

Your Skills. Our Team. Together We Design the Future

The first step to success in this role is that you are eager to collaborate with the people around you, whether they are colleagues, partners or customers. Developing ties with others is something you do by acting respectfully and delivering on your promises. And you never get set in your ways but keep exploring new insights and ways to improve.

To succeed in this position, you should be a strong team player, have consistent ability to work under own initiative, effective in time-sensitive settings, and possess strong problem-solving skills, and self-organization, providing a great experience to all stakeholders.

On top of that, you have:

• A master's or higher degree in Civil Engineering or a related field, specialising in Geotechnical Engineering with 10+ years of relevant experience, preferably as a designer in a consulting environment.
• Proven expertise in the design of foundations, tunnels, and underground structure. Skilled in ground improvement techniques and failure mode analysis.
• Experience in the design of TBM and NATM tunnels.
• Strong proficiency in industry-standard geotechnical analysis and design software such as Plaxis 2D/3D, GeoStudio, and Rocscience.
• Experience with parametric and computational design tools and languages such as Python, Rhino,Grasshopper, and Dynamo to support automation and optimization.
• Strong understanding of geotechnical principles, soil mechanics, rock mechanics, and foundation engineering.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and engage effectively with clients and stakeholders.
• Professional proficiency in English (B2/C1) and the ability to undertake short international trips as required
• Professional licensure or certification in geotechnical engineering is preferred.

A place to work and so much more

At COWI, we work together with our customers to shape a sustainable and livable world. We do it by applying our knowledge and curiosity – and sometimes even our courage – to create the solutions the world needs today to enable a better tomorrow. We support our customers’ transition towards increased sustainability. We strive to lead by example by embedding environmental management, social responsibility, and good governance into our business practices and the options we provide to our customers.

We value differences and development and cultivate an environment of belonging and having fun. Because that is what brings out the best in you, at work and at home.

With offices primarily located in Scandinavia, the UK, North America, Poland and India, we are currently 7500 people who bring their expertise in engineering, architecture, energy and environment into play.

If you have any unanswered questions about the role or what we have to offer, please reach out to Adam Zorawinski, Head of Discipline, [e-mail] or Nimisha Gulati, Talent Acquisition Partner, [e-mail].

Get to know us even better at our website, www.cowi.com, where you can learn more about our projects, our strategy, what we want to achieve and what life is like at COWI.

Equal opportunity employer

COWI provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, COWI complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.