Principal Geotechnical Engineer

Society is in your hands, what are you waiting for?

We are currently looking for a talented and motivated Principal Geotechnical Engineer to join our Ground Engineering team. This role will be based at our Leeds office and can be worked flexibly, with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office/on site and the option of adjusted start and finish times.

Please note we will be relocating to Leeds City Centre mid‑next year from our current base in Chapel Allerton.

As an active member of the Ground Engineering team you will help deliver a diverse portfolio of projects across the UK for a range of market sectors including highways, water, energy and development. The team provides a wide range of geotechnical design services across all project stages: feasibility studies, ground investigations, geotechnical interpretation, preliminary and detailed design, and construction supervision.

Sweco offers diverse experience for its engineers, including projects spanning various industry sectors and a mix of geotechnical activities such as ground investigation specification and management, earthworks and structures design, and construction‑stage support.

You will be joining a very experienced and enthusiastic team that has recently supported the British Antarctic Survey’s £100 M Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme, delivered detailed geotechnical design for prominent projects such as the Queensferry Crossing, Stockholm Metro Extension, A47 improvement programme, major junction improvements for the M2, M25 and M27 motorways, and Beauly HDVC Converter Station.

This is an exciting time to join Sweco, and if you want to be part of a company that is small in all the best ways but large enough to provide a diverse and exciting workload, this job is for you.

• Ensure that Health & Safety is considered an integral part of any design and construction solution, including adherence to statutory and company procedures to identify and mitigate risk and to inform others of any residual hazards.

• Manage relationships with individual client contacts to maximise opportunities across the business while providing a high service level on each project.
• Build a market base in the field of geotechnical opportunities.

• Provide high‑quality technical delivery and governance on geotechnical projects to ensure a “technically excellent” delivery in accordance with the client’s brief.
• Act as the geotechnical discipline lead for multidisciplinary projects, directing geotechnical teams and liaising with the project team and client as necessary.
• Support the team manager with workload management and resourcing of the ground engineering team.

• Prepare and track project budgets and manage the financial aspects of projects.
• Adhere to the Sweco Project Management Framework.
• Administer contract functions, including management of change and risk.

• Support the Team Manager in leading a team with the required skills and knowledge to undertake all aspects of geotechnical engineering, including ground investigation and interpretation, infrastructure design and specification, and construction‑stage support.
• Mentor individuals within the team to achieve the required blend of skills and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

• Contribute to the preparation of PQQs and tenders as required.
• Recognise opportunities for cross‑selling within current clients and manage commissions to realise these opportunities in consultation with relevant parties.

• A successful record of project delivery in major infrastructure geotechnical design.
• Significant demonstrable technical experience in geotechnical engineering applied to transportation, water, energy and development projects.
• Proven experience in managing projects, including programming, resourcing and monitoring.
• Proven ability in the leadership and motivation of individuals and teams.

• A BEng / MEng in Civil Engineering or BSc / MSc in Engineering Geology or…