Principal​/Senior Principal Geotechnical Engineer

About the business unit

Our Energy Unit leads WIN and DO work in all energy market and nuclear defence market projects, working at the forefront of the energy transition challenge to ensure safe, stable, sustainable energy is available for future generations.

Our multidisciplinary teams provide a variety of services throughout the full project life cycle, from advisory services and feasibility studies, through outline and detailed design, to construction support and site supervision, working across electrical transition transmission, HVDC, solar, battery storage, onshore wind, tidal, nuclear generation, disposal, other civil, nuclear defence, hydropower, offshore wind and thermal transmission gas, liquids, hydrogen, thermal generation projects across the UK and Europe.

As a Senior or Principal Geotechnical Engineer in our growing Energy Unit geotechnical team, you will broaden your experience and work with a range of public and private sector clients on key and major projects across a varied and diverse energy market in the UK, Europe and beyond.

You will be involved in leading the identification and production of cost‑effective and buildable design solutions in line with current Eurocodes, reports, specifications and drawings covering a range of project requirements within energy sector geotechnics.

You will deliver various geotechnical and ground engineering projects and provide technical leadership through leading the team and managing and overseeing their design work. You will also support larger projects, acting as client liaison and contributing to risk assessments, employing sustainability principles and undertaking budgeting and cost control.

Your responsibilities will include the following:

• Ground characterisation reviews
• Lead the design of foundations and substructures associated with energy projects such as earthworks, slope stability, foundations and retaining walls, with experience of feasibility study design through to detailed design and construction
• Lead the design of retaining wall systems
• Lead in 2D numerical modelling for soil and structure interaction issues
• Travel to project sites when necessary for project delivery and client liaison meetings
• Managing small single-disciplinary design teams or being part of a larger team on major projects

As a Senior or Principal Geotechnical Engineer in the Energy Unit's ground engineering team, you will manage and deliver multiple projects to time and budget. You bring strong technical expertise in geotechnics, having designed a range of foundation and ground engineering solutions to current standards and Eurocodes on major projects. You are an effective communicator who builds strong client and internal relationships, and you work confidently both independently and as a technical lead.

You also demonstrate solid project management capability and experience leading small engineering teams.

• Degree qualified in civil engineering geotechnics or engineering geology or a related field
• Relevant geotechnical experience
• Chartered Engineer status ICE or equivalent
• Experience managing small engineering teams
• Willingness to travel nationally and internationally
• Experience in the energy sector, ideally in one or more of:
  • Transmission and distribution
  • Energy generation (Renewables, Hydro, Thermal)
  • Nuclear / Nuclear Defence
• Experience developing and mentoring engineers (e.g. DE, SCE)

• Masters or PhD in Civil Engineering (geotechnics or engineering geology) or a related field
• Offshore / nearshore experience

Please be advised that offers for this role are conditional upon obtaining the appropriate level of Security Clearance.

Mott Mac Donald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces well‑being, flexibility, and trust, allowing managers and employees to choose the best way to work for client, team, and personal commitments.

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at reaso and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life…