Mott Macdonald
A global engineering, management, and development consultancy delivering innovative solutions.
Technical Principal - Geotechnical Engineering
Lead geotechnical design and technical direction for energy projects
Job Highlights
About the Role
The Energy Unit drives work across the Energy Market and Nuclear Defence sectors, addressing the energy transition to ensure safe, sustainable power for future generations. Its multidisciplinary teams deliver services from advisory and feasibility studies through design, construction support and site supervision for transmission, HVDC, renewables, nuclear, offshore wind and other projects across the UK and Europe. The Technical Principal Geotechnical Engineer will lead the production of cost‑effective, buildable designs in line with Eurocodes and client specifications, overseeing complex geotechnical and ground‑engineering projects. The role includes technical leadership, client liaison, shaping the team’s technical direction, and supporting business development and professional excellence activities. • Contributing to the setting of long-term strategy for our Energy Unit geotechnics development and driving forward plans • Lead design foundations and substructures associated with energy projects such as earthworks, slope stability, foundations, retaining walls with experience of feasibility study design through to detailed design and construction • Lead the design of retaining wall systems • Lead in 2D and 3D numerical modelling for soil and structure interaction issues • Undertake technical oversight of geotechnical design for projects such as deep large cuts, retaining walls, earthworks and slope stability • Conduct ground seismic assessments and perform dynamic analyses of geotechnical structures • Support business development activities including inputs to bids and proposals • Travel to project sites when necessary for project delivery and client liaison meetings • Manage disciplinary design teams or act as discipline lead as part of a larger team on major projects
Key Responsibilities
- ▸foundation design
- ▸retaining walls
- ▸numerical modeling
- ▸seismic analysis
- ▸design oversight
- ▸client liaison
What You Bring
The ideal candidate holds a master's degree in civil engineering (geotechnics or engineering geology), is a Chartered Engineer, and has substantial geotechnical experience in large energy projects. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are required to build relationships with clients and mentor junior engineers, while managing multiple concurrent projects on time and within budget. • Masters degree in Civil Engineering with emphasis on geotechnics or engineering geology or Masters in a related subject • Relevant and appropriate geotechnical experience • Chartered Engineer with the ICE or equivalent • Experience of managing small teams of engineers • Prepared to travel nationally and internationally as needed for any project • Experience in the energy market and ideally in one or more sub‑markets: Transmission and Distribution networks; Energy Generation (Renewables, Hydro, Thermal, Gas, Liquids); Nuclear (generation, disposal, other civil) and Nuclear defence • Experience guiding and nurturing a team of engineers in their technical development • Has mentored early career professionals as a DE or SCE or similar • PhD degree in Civil Engineering with emphasis on geotechnics or engineering geology or Masters in a related subject
Requirements
- ▸masters
- ▸phd
- ▸chartered
- ▸geotechnics
- ▸energy
- ▸mentoring
Benefits
Mott MacDonald is not offering Skilled Worker visa sponsorship following the UK Government’s April 2024 changes, but welcomes applicants eligible via alternative immigration routes. The company adopts an agile, hybrid working policy that allows employees and managers to choose the most effective way to meet client, team and personal commitments, supporting well‑being and flexibility. Benefits include pension matching (4.5‑7 %), life assurance up to four times salary, income protection, flexible benefits and annual bonus schemes. Employee ownership gives staff a stake and voice in the business, with direct pathways to ownership for senior roles. Health provisions cover private medical insurance, a health cash plan and wellbeing support for employees and families. Lifestyle perks comprise 33‑35 days annual leave (increasing after five years), holiday buy‑sell options, and various savings schemes. Family and carer leave is generous, offering 26 weeks paid maternity/adoption leave, two weeks paternity/partner leave and additional paid caring days. Learning and development are supported through professional subscriptions, mentoring, training and a broad network of employee groups.
Work Environment
Hybrid