Job Title: Geotechnical Principal Design Engineer
Can Be Based From The Following Office Locations:
Solihull, Warrington, Grangemouth, Bristol, Rickmansworth, Annesley
About Us
Galliford Try is one of the UK’s most formidable construction businesses with an enviable track record of delivering schemes that strive to provide positive, lasting change for the communities we work in. As a FTSE organisation, we turnover £ billion and employ over, people across four successful Divisions: Building, Infrastructure, Environment and Specialist Services.
As one of the UK’s top principal contractors, you’ll have the opportunity to work on some of the UK’s most exciting projects, offering you stability as well as the chance to stretch your capabilities and realise long-held career goals. You will be joining diverse teams working at a high professional level with exceptional levels of commitment.
Our Environment Division
Following various acquisitions, we are now the largest Tier Contractor operating in the UK Water/Environment sector with a long-term portfolio trading at £ million a year. As part of our Source to Sea Strategy, we have brought together all aspects of Engineering Design under one Business Unit, which is expanding to provide in-house design support to our Regional Business Units across the UK.
The Temporary Works and Geotechnical team provides a vital role in supporting our Highways, Building, and Environment Business Units, focusing on delivering high-quality services, developing strong relationships, and generating repeat work.
Purpose of the Role
As Geotechnical Principal Design Engineer, you will play a key role in our Engineering Design Team, working closely with Design Leads, Technical Managers and the Design Delivery Manager. You will be responsible for the technical delivery, governance and assurance of geotechnical design activities across a wide range of temporary works and permanent works support.
You will lead on technical excellence, drive innovation, and ensure solutions improve safety, buildability, and cost-effectiveness. Alongside undertaking design work, you will provide engineering oversight, mentor colleagues, support procurement activities, and offer site-based construction teams technical expertise as required.
Key Accountabilities
1. Ensure technical compliance, excellence, and assurance across design outputs.
2. Deliver efficient, safe, and buildable geotechnical designs that balance capital and operational cost benefits.
3. Provide governance and compliance with CDM regulations, health, safety, and environmental legislation.
4. Lead and promote innovation, value engineering, and digital design.
5. Support pre-contract activities, procurement, and site-based teams with technical expertise.
6. Champion lessons learnt and promote knowledge sharing across design teams.
7. Mentor and develop design staff, supporting professional development and accreditation with ICE, IStructE, and other bodies.
About You
8. Degree in Engineering (or equivalent qualification).
9. Chartered Member of ICE (preferred) or working towards chartership.
10. Significant geotechnical design experience, ideally with a contractor, consultant, or specialist supplier.
11. Strong knowledge of soil mechanics, soil-structure interaction, and construction methods.
12. Proficient in CAD and geotechnical/structural analysis software.
13. Excellent leadership, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
14. Commercial and contractual awareness.
15. Full UK driving licence.
What We Can Offer in Return
With an impressive order book of over £ billion, Galliford Try is one of the industry’s leading principal contractors, giving you the chance to work on high-profile projects that will challenge and reward you. You will join diverse, committed teams and benefit from our ambitious growth strategy.
We support your wellbeing through our Be Well programme, invest in high-quality training at all levels, and offer clear career development pathways.
Our benefits include:
16. Competitive salary & pension plan
17. Generous holiday entitlement, with option to purchase more
18. Private medical scheme options
19. Annual professional membership paid
20. Save as You Earn share purchase scheme
21. Wide range of corporate discounts
22. Cycle to Work scheme
Additional Information
Galliford Try welcomes applications from candidates who wish to work flexibly, reduced hours, or part-time. Please discuss this with us during the process.
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for candidates with a long-term health condition or disability who meet the essential criteria.
Note for agencies: We prefer to hire directly and will contact PSL agencies if this role is released.