Principal Geotechnical Engineer

About the role

We are seeking a highly skilled Principal Geotechnical Engineer who ideally possesses with extensive experience in rail infrastructure to join our dynamic team. This is an exciting opportunity to lead and deliver complex geotechnical projects, providing technical excellence and innovation within the rail sector.

• Lead geotechnical design and assessment projects for rail infrastructure, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers, guiding them through design and analysis challenges.
• Specify and supervise geotechnical site investigations, ground modelling, foundation design, and slope stability assessments.
• Develop and review geotechnical design reports, risk assessments, and design documentation.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including civil and structural engineers, to integrate geotechnical solutions within rail projects.
• Ensure compliance with Network Rail standards, Eurocodes, and other relevant UK geotechnical regulations.
• Participate in tender preparation, project planning, and budgeting to support business development initiatives.
• Engage with clients, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies to ensure project success and alignment with strategic objectives.
• Apply innovative approaches and emerging technologies in geotechnical engineering to enhance project outcomes.

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Chartered Geologist (CGeol) status with a relevant institution (ICE, Geol Soc, or equivalent).
• Extensive experience in geotechnical engineering, preferably within the rail infrastructure sector.
• Ideally strong understanding of UK railway geotechnical standards, including Network Rail guidelines.
• Previous CRE-D experience on UK Rail project preferable.
• Proven track record of leading and managing geotechnical projects from feasibility through to construction.
• Proficiency in geotechnical software such as PLAXIS, WALLAP, SLOPE/W, GEO5 or similar.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make sound engineering judgments.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience in business development, client engagement, and tendering processes is desirable.

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities. Why join us? As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn’t rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You’ll have the freedom to shape the package that’s right for you and your life.

Here are some of our key benefits:

• Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
• 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata).
• Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave.
• Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…

Balfour Beatty works at the heart of the UK’s rail networks – designing, enhancing and maintaining thousands of miles of the railways that connect communities and underpin growth. From feasibility studies, planning and design through to implementation and asset management, we provide multi-disciplinary rail infrastructure services across the lifecycle of rail assets. Our expertise covers electrification, track, power, civils, specialist rail plant, railway systems and technologies.

Diversity and inclusion At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background.

To find out how we are making this a reality, visit  To help and support…