Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Lead Ground Risk & Foundation Strategy on a Major UK Infrastructure Programme

Our Client has a requirement for a Lead Geotechnical Engineer, who will be required to work on a contract basis in West Burton.

Role Purpose:

• Provide technical leadership and assurance across a major, highly regulated infrastructure programme.
• Define, integrate and maintain the geotechnical design basis for complex engineering facilities.
• Ensure ground-related risks are effectively identified, assessed and managed throughout the project lifecycle.
• Act as the senior geotechnical authority, providing specialist guidance on foundations, ground behaviour and geotechnical risk management.
• Support the safe, efficient and compliant delivery of major infrastructure works.

Job Role Responsibilities:

• Define and maintain the geotechnical design basis and associated design parameters.
• Lead the assessment and management of geotechnical risks including settlement, bearing capacity, slope stability and liquefaction.
• Provide technical assurance of ground investigation data, geotechnical models and design solutions produced by external partners and contractors.
• Develop and review foundation, excavation, earthworks and ground improvement strategies.
• Provide specialist input into seismic, dynamic and extreme loading assessments.
• Support safety case development through robust technical arguments, assumptions and evidence.
• Ensure geotechnical considerations are fully integrated with civil, structural, construction and safety disciplines.
• Support design reviews, governance activities, assurance processes and regulatory engagement.
• Identify and mitigate geotechnical risks affecting programme delivery, safety and cost.
• Contribute to digital engineering environments, ensuring geotechnical data and assumptions remain traceable and controlled throughout the project lifecycle.

Experience / Skills / Knowledge / Qualifications:
Essential

• Degree qualified in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience in geotechnical engineering within highly regulated industries.
• Strong knowledge of soil mechanics, rock mechanics and foundation engineering.
• Demonstrable experience leading complex infrastructure or major capital projects.
• Proven ability to provide technical assurance and engineering governance.
• Experience managing geotechnical risks across both design and construction phases.
• Excellent stakeholder management and multidisciplinary coordination skills.

Desirable

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or equivalent professional accreditation.
• Experience within nuclear, defence, energy or other highly regulated sectors.
• Knowledge of seismic design principles and extreme hazard assessment.
• Experience working within a Design Authority, Intelligent Client or Owner's Engineer environment.
• Familiarity with BIM, digital engineering and digital twin environments.
• Experience supporting safety cases, regulatory submissions or major consenting processes.
• Technical Expertise
• Ground investigations and geotechnical interpretation.
• Development and maintenance of ground models.
• Foundations and retaining structures.
• Earthworks, embankments and excavations.
• Ground improvement techniques.
• Soil-structure interaction.
• Seismic and dynamic loading.
• Long-term ground performance assessment and monitoring.
• Construction methodologies and temporary works considerations.

Benefits:

• Competitive contract rate.
• Long-term 12-month assignment with extension potential.
• Hybrid working arrangement.
• Opportunity to work on a high-profile, complex infrastructure programme.
• Involvement in technically challenging and safety-critical engineering activities.
• Collaborative multidisciplinary project environment.

Company Information
At First Recruitment Group we understand just how important it is to secure the right people. That is why our Recruitment Consultants always take the time to understand requirements in detail and offer sound advice to both clients and candidates. We actively recruit at all levels and this is a superb opportunity for Lead Geotechnical Engineers looking for new employment.
As part of putting people first, we strive to be an equal opportunities employer and we are always looking to increase the diversity of our workforce, working closely with our clients to ensure everyone is included.