Job Description:

Senior Geotechnical Engineer | Principal Level

High Speed Two Ltd | Chief Engineer's Team

Salary:             £70,000 to £77,500 + 12% pension + healthcare + 25 days holiday

Location:         Birmingham | Hybrid working, typically 3 days in the office

Scope:             Programme wide Geotechnical Subject Matter Expert

Progression:    Lead Geotechnical Engineer £85,000 to £92,400 + package

Programme:     High Speed Two through to 2039

Shape the Geotechnical Engineering of HS2

Are you a Senior or Principal Geotechnical Engineer who wants to operate at a programme wide level rather than being tied to a single project?

Do you have strong experience across both foundations and earthworks, with the technical judgement to advise on complex ground engineering challenges from design through construction?

High Speed Two Ltd is looking for a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to join the Chief Engineer's Team as a Geotechnical Subject Matter Expert.

This is an opportunity to work across one of the UK's most ambitious infrastructure programmes, providing specialist advice on major civil assets including tunnels, viaducts, bridges, earthworks, retaining structures, stations and associated infrastructure.

You will work across the Main Works Civils contracts between London and Birmingham, supporting the four new stations and wider Rail Systems programme where additional geotechnical expertise is required.

This is a technical client role rather than a project management position. Your value will come from your engineering judgement, ability to challenge proposals and understanding of how geotechnical design translates into safe, practical and buildable solutions.

The Opportunity

You will join a small, highly experienced Ground Engineering team within HS2's Chief Engineer's function.

Working alongside engineers embedded across the programme, you will provide specialist input where complex ground conditions, foundations, earthworks or other geotechnical issues require additional technical expertise.

Your work will cover the asset lifecycle from ground investigation and design through construction, handover and maintenance.

You will review technical information, provide assurance, advise on standards and specifications and help project teams and contractors reach pragmatic, technically robust solutions.

The role also provides exposure to some of HS2's leading geotechnical innovation and research activity.

HS2 has undertaken major work in complex Mercia Mudstone, including the UK's largest static pile testing programme, using large scale testing, academic research and real time rig data to improve understanding of ground behaviour and optimise construction.

You will also have the opportunity to contribute to work involving innovative piling techniques, improved management of subsurface and piling data, stabilised materials and maximising the reuse of excavated material.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide programme wide geotechnical SME support across HS2's major civil engineering assets.
• Provide technical assurance and independent engineering judgement on geotechnical designs and construction proposals.
• Review and advise on foundations, earthworks, retaining structures, ground conditions and associated geotechnical works.
• Support project teams where specialist geotechnical expertise is required to resolve complex technical issues.
• Challenge designs, assumptions and technical proposals where necessary and recommend practical engineering solutions.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams across Main Works Civils, stations and Rail Systems.
• Support construction teams with geotechnical issues arising during delivery and provide input into asset maintenance where required.
• Contribute to the development of geotechnical standards, specifications, guidance and best practice.
• Support research, innovation and trials that improve geotechnical design and construction.
• Apply engineering judgement to identify when additional specialist investigation, analysis or technical input is required.
• Contribute to technical risk management, including risks associated with unforeseen ground and physical conditions.
• Work with contractors, consultants, research organisations and internal engineering teams to develop robust solutions.

About You

We are looking for a technically strong Senior or Principal Geotechnical Engineer who wants to remain close to engineering while gaining exposure across a major national infrastructure programme.

You will have a strong understanding of both earthworks and foundations, ideally supported by experience spanning design and construction.

You could come from a client, consultancy or specialist contractor background and may have worked in rail, highways, major civils, tunnelling or another complex infrastructure environment.

Essential Experience

• Senior or Principal level geotechnical engineering experience.
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards chartership.
• Strong geotechnical design experience covering foundations and earthworks.
• Experience of major infrastructure or complex civil engineering projects.
• Good understanding of ground investigation, ground conditions and geotechnical risk.
• Experience reviewing or assuring technical designs and construction proposals.
• Strong understanding of UK construction requirements, including CDM.
• Ability to provide clear technical advice and challenge proposals constructively.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Commercial awareness, including an understanding of NEC contracts and how unforeseen ground conditions can lead to contractual and programme impacts (EW & CE’s)

Why This Role?

This is an opportunity to become a recognised geotechnical specialist within one of the UK's largest infrastructure programmes.

Rather than being responsible for a single package, you will see a broad range of ground engineering challenges across the HS2 programme and work alongside some of the most experienced engineers in the sector.

You will also have the opportunity to contribute to research, technical publications, industry events and innovations that are helping shape modern geotechnical practice.

There is a clear progression route to Lead Geotechnical Engineer and further senior engineering positions within HS2.

If you are an experienced Senior or Principal Geotechnical Engineer who wants greater technical breadth, exposure to major infrastructure and the opportunity to influence how geotechnical engineering is delivered at programme level, this is a rare opportunity to do it from the client side with High Speed Two.