Site Engineer

Freelance Site Engineer - Groundworks & Foundation QA

Location:

Wirral Engagement:
Freelance / Contract

Employer:

Regional Main Contractor Equipment:
Own surveying equipment and kit required

The Role We are seeking an experienced freelance Site Engineer to support a regional main contractor on groundworks and foundation packages. The role is heavily focused on quality assurance, setting-out verification and intensive checking of excavation lines and foundation formations as excavations progress on site. This is a hands-on, site-based role requiring an engineer who is proactive, detail-oriented and confident carrying out frequent checks to ensure excavations are dug accurately to the required lines, levels and dimensions before concrete is placed.

The successful candidate will work closely with the site management and groundworks teams to identify discrepancies early, prevent errors and ensure works are completed in accordance with the drawings and project specifications.

Key Responsibilities Carry out intensive checks of excavation lines, foundation positions, widths, depths and formation levels as works progress. Verify setting-out and ensure excavations accurately follow the latest construction drawings and engineers details. Undertake regular site inspections during excavation to identify deviations before they become costly remedial issues. Check foundation locations, gridlines, offsets, dimensions and levels. Verify excavation formations are suitable and consistent with the specified requirements, escalating any unexpected ground conditions or discrepancies.

Carry out QA inspections and maintain accurate records of checks, measurements and site observations. Liaise directly with site managers, ground workers and subcontractors to resolve setting-out and dimensional issues promptly. Highlight and report non-conformances, ensuring corrective actions are taken before works proceed to the next stage. Confirm foundation excavations are checked and ready for inspection or concrete placement, as required. Maintain clear records of quality checks and provide regular updates to the site management team.

Requirements Proven experience as a Site Engineer working for a main contractor, ideally on groundworks, foundations and substructure packages. Strong knowledge of setting-out, excavation checks, foundation layouts and construction drawings. Confident using surveying equipment, including a total station, GPS and/or automatic level, as appropriate to the project. Must have own surveying equipment and the necessary kit to carry out the role independently.

Excellent attention to detail, with a strong QA and checking mindset. Able to work independently, identify potential issues and challenge discrepancies before works proceed. Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively with site management and groundworks teams. Able to maintain accurate site records and work to programme requirements.

What We Are Looking For This role is particularly suited to an engineer who enjoys the technical and quality-control side of construction rather than a purely setting-out-led position. The priority is to have someone on site who can closely monitor excavation works as they happen, checking lines, levels and dimensions throughout the digging process rather than simply attending once excavations are complete.

We need an engineer who is thorough, reliable and prepared to spend significant time checking foundation excavations to ensure accuracy and minimise the risk of errors, delays and remedial works. Please contact Mark Warrington on  for more details