Principal Geotechnical Engineer

Mott Mac Donald

We’re a global engineering, management, and development consultancy that improves society through social outcomes, excellence, digital innovation, and transformation for clients, communities, and employees.

We are proud to be recognized as a top inclusive company and one of Glassdoor’s top employers in the UK.

Values: Progress, Respect, Integrity, Drive, Excellence.

About The Buildings Unit (BLD)

The Buildings Unit has a major presence in regional offices throughout the UK and mainland Europe, providing cross‑sector skills across five key sectors:
Advisory, Built Environment, Energy, Transportation and Water. We also provide local services and technical leadership across the Group.

Overview Of Role

As a Principal Geotechnical Engineer you will be a key member of our growing Ground Engineering team within the Buildings Unit. You will deliver exciting projects across the UK, Ireland and occasionally overseas, working with a talented team of ground engineers.

You will work across sectors including defence, health, education, transportation, maritime, water and energy. The role offers opportunities for personal and career development: deliver geotechnical projects, lead project teams, manage design solutions, reports and specifications in line with Eurocodes, contribute to risk assessments, employ sustainability measures, and undertake budgeting and cost control.

• Design of building foundations and basements
• Management and delivery of ground investigations (scope, specifications, supervision, GIRs, etc.)
• Design retaining wall systems
• Travel to project sites when necessary for project delivery and client meetings
• Manage geotechnical design teams on multi‑disciplinary projects

• Masters in civil engineering with emphasis on geotechnics
• Chartered Engineer with the ICE or equivalent
• Experience designing geotechnical and foundation solutions using current standards and Eurocodes
• Strong interpersonal skills, capable of liaising with clients and building professional relationships
• Experience managing small to medium geotechnical project teams and a track record of successful project delivery
• Ability to prioritise the needs of the client to deliver high‑quality design that meets their needs

• Relationship builder, capable of working autonomously and as part of a team
• Ability to direct and deliver multiple concurrent projects or one large project on time and within budget
• Experience delivering ground investigations and GIRs
• Experience guiding and nurturing engineers in their technical development
• Prepared to travel as needed for project delivery; willing to travel within the UK & Ireland

Mott Mac Donald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. We welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK that do not require sponsorship.

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, promoting fair employment practices and ensuring equal opportunities for all.

If you are disabled or need support to apply or attend an interview, please contact reaso and we will discuss how we can support you.

We discuss flexible working and how we can support your responsibilities beyond the workplace.

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues
• Health cash plan to support everyday health costs and treatments
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues
• Wellbeing support through a comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family
• Flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%
• Life assurance equal up to 4× your basic salary, with an option to increase to 6× your salary
• Income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return‑to‑work support due to long‑term illness or injury
• Flexible benefits, including…