Senior Geotechnical Engineer (Principal Geotechnical Level)
Location: Birmingham (Hybrid – 3 days on site)
Salary: £66,000 – £77,500 per annum + 12% pension + 25 days holiday + healthcare
Progression Path: Lead Geotechnical Engineer (£80,000 – £90,000+)
Scope: Geotechnical Subject Matter Expert (SME) – HS2 Chief Engineer’s Team, supporting the entire programme
Join the UK’s Most Ambitious Infrastructure Project
We are seeking a Senior or Principal Geotechnical Engineer with significant heavy civils / large infrastructure experience to join the client organisation on High Speed Two (HS2) – the largest infrastructure project in Europe.
In this role, you will make independent engineering judgements on a wide range of geotechnical challenges, spanning the design, construction, and maintenance of major civil assets including bridges, viaducts, tunnels, earthworks, stations, and associated infrastructure.
The Role
As part of HS2’s Ground Engineering Department within the Chief Engineer’s Team, you will be a key Geotechnical Subject Matter Expert responsible for:
* Providing geotechnical leadership across the HS2 programme
* Developing standards and specifications for high-speed rail
* Undertaking technical assurance of geotechnical designs
* Supporting construction teams and overseeing asset maintenance
* Working across all HS2 contracts – including Main Works Civils, Stations, and Rail Systems
Your work will span the entire asset lifecycle, from ground investigation through to final handover into maintenance.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and assure geotechnical aspects of major civil works, initially focusing on multi-billion-pound heavy civil contracts
* Review and guide design work for bridges, viaducts, earthworks, tunnels, and associated structures
* Contribute to research, innovation, and development of best practice in geotechnical engineering for high-speed rail
* Collaborate across integrated project teams to resolve complex engineering challenges
What We’re Looking For
We are looking for a technically strong engineer – not a project manager – who wants to develop and apply their expertise at the highest level.
* Chartered Engineer status (or equivalent experience)
* Senior or Principal Engineer level experience within the industry – Client, Consultancy & Specialist Contractor
* Strong background in geotechnical design, ideally on major infrastructure projects
* Expertise in:
* Design and construction of foundations, earthworks, and geotechnical assets
* Ground investigations for large civil engineering schemes
* UK construction regulations, including CDM requirements
* NEC3 contract, commercial, risk, and interface management principles
* Experience managing geotechnical work on large, complex infrastructure projects
* Highways, rail, or other major civil engineering backgrounds considered – HS2 experience advantageous
Why This Role?
This is a core central role influencing the HS2 programme from design through to operation. You will have the opportunity to:
* Shape geotechnical policy and procedures for the UK’s largest infrastructure project
* Work on cutting-edge engineering solutions with significant research and innovation outputs
* Progress to Lead Geotechnical Engineer and beyond
Note: While this role is based in Birmingham, London-based candidates will be considered if willing to travel weekly.
If you are an accomplished Senior / Principal Geotechnical Engineer who wants to remain technically focused while working on one of the most exciting infrastructure projects in Europe, we would like to hear from you