Principal Engineering Geologist / Geotechnical Engineer in Didcot

At Amentum, we're not just solving problems; we're engineering the future. Our team is driven by an unyielding commitment to innovation, integrity, and collaboration, tackling some of the most significant challenges in science, security, and sustainability. If you're passionate about making a real impact and want to be part of a community that values ethical excellence, this is the place where your ambition can thrive. Here, we believe that success comes from continuously pushing boundaries and working together to deliver on our promises. We embrace challenges with confidence and are dedicated to creating a secure and vibrant future for all.

We’ll inspire and empower you to deliver your best work so you can evolve, grow and succeed – today and into tomorrow. We offer an exciting range of opportunities to develop your career within a supportive team who always strive to do the right thing for our people, clients and communities. People are our greatest asset, and we offer a competitive package to retain and attract the best talent. In addition to the benefits you’d expect, UK employees also receive free single medical cover and digital GP service, family-friendly benefits such as enhanced parental leave pay and free membership of employee assistance and parental programmes, plus reimbursement towards relevant professional development and memberships. Work-life balance and flexibility is a key focus area for us. We’re happy to discuss hybrid, part-time and flexible working hours, patterns and locations to suit you and our business.

About the Opportunity

As part of our continued growth, we are expanding our UK Ground Engineering capability to support a growing portfolio of diverse projects across the Defence, Nuclear, Environment and government-owned critical infrastructure sectors. We are seeking Engineering Geologists and Geotechnical Engineers at a Principal level, particularly those with experience spanning one or both of the following areas:

• Ground investigation, characterisation, engineering geological assessment, and
• Geotechnical analysis and design

As a Ground Engineering Professional within Amentum, you will work across the project lifecycle, applying sound engineering geological and geotechnical judgement to identify and manage ground-related risks while supporting our clients and multidisciplinary project teams in delivering safe, sustainable and cost-effective solutions. We offer a flexible hybrid working environment, combining office, site and home-based working. Harwell, Oxfordshire is our preferred base, although opportunities are available at other Amentum UK offices depending on the successful candidate.

What You'll Be Doing

As an Engineering Geologist or Geotechnical Engineer within Amentum, you will lead and support the identification, investigation and management of ground-related risks across a diverse range of projects. Your work may include:

• Leading and managing the delivery of geotechnical and engineering geological desk studies, including the review and interpretation of historical information, geological mapping, development of ground models and preliminary ground risk assessments.
• Leading the planning, specification and delivery of land and overwater ground investigations, including preparation and review of scopes, specifications, schedules and supporting documentation, including specifications prepared in accordance with the ICE Specification for Ground Investigation (Yellow Book), where appropriate.
• Field mapping, geomorphological assessment and engineering geological walkovers.
• Interpretation and review of soil and rock descriptions and field and laboratory test data, including derivation and selection of appropriate geotechnical parameters for assessment and design.
• Managing the preparation and technical delivery of ground investigation reports, factual and interpretative reports, and geotechnical/engineering geological assessments in accordance with relevant standards and project requirements.
• Development and refinement of ground models, including identification of geotechnical hazards, uncertainties and constraints.
• Assessment and interpretation of geological, hydrogeological and geotechnical information to support wider project teams.
• Geotechnical analysis and design for foundations, retaining walls, slope stabilisation, ground improvement and other ground engineering applications in accordance with Eurocode 7.
• Input to multidisciplinary projects and provision of practical advice on ground conditions and ground-related risks.
• Technical construction assurance, site support and observation.
• Providing technical review and assurance of engineering geological and geotechnical deliverables, ensuring that work is technically robust, proportionate and compliant with relevant standards and project requirements.
• Leading and contributing to bids, proposals, fee estimates and scopes of work.
• Leading client and stakeholder engagement, understanding project requirements, communicating technical findings and developing appropriate technical solutions and scopes of work.
• Mentoring and technical development of junior and less experienced colleagues, including technical review and knowledge sharing.

The role will involve a combination of office and site-based work, and candidates should be comfortable undertaking and supervising fieldwork at locations across the UK.

Principal

At Principal level, you will take a leading role in the technical and project delivery of geotechnical and engineering geological work. You will work with a high degree of technical independence, lead and coordinate multidisciplinary ground engineering activities, provide technical guidance and assurance, and take responsibility for the quality of technical deliverables. You will play a key role in client engagement, development of scopes and proposals, and the management and mentoring of less experienced colleagues. Depending on your experience, you may also act as Project Manager, Technical Lead or discipline lead on complex projects.

Here's What You'll Need

You will have practical Engineering Geology or Geotechnical Engineering experience appropriate to the level for which you are applying, together with:

• A degree in Engineering Geology, Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering or another relevant ground engineering discipline.
• A relevant postgraduate qualification such as an MSc or PhD would be advantageous but is not essential.
• Chartership with a relevant professional body (e.g. CEng or CGeol) would be preferred, or demonstrable equivalent experience with significant progress towards chartership.
• Practical experience of ground engineering, ground investigations and site-based GI activities, including the interpretation of field and laboratory test data.
• Strong technical knowledge of soil and/or rock behaviour and the application of engineering geological and geotechnical principles to complex ground engineering problems.
• Substantial experience preparing, reviewing and technically assuring geotechnical desk studies, interpretative reports and engineering geological/geotechnical assessments.
• Substantial experience of geotechnical analysis, design and/or engineering geological assessment appropriate to your technical specialism.
• Experience preparing and reviewing technical specifications for ground investigations, including familiarity with the ICE Specification for Ground Investigation (Yellow Book), together with design documentation and drawings for investigation and/or construction purposes.
• Strong working knowledge of relevant British Standards, Eurocodes, industry guidance and good practice.
• A willingness to undertake site work and travel to project locations when required.

Our Culture

Our values are built on a strong foundation of safety, integrity, and respect for every individual. People are at the heart of our mission, and we believe in supporting one another through a culture of care and collaboration. We strive to create a workplace where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. Supporting mental wellbeing and fostering a sense of connection are essential to how we work. When we embrace different perspectives and work together, we become more innovative, more agile, and more successful.

We partner with VERCIDA, for greater online accessibility please visit to view and access our roles. As a Disability Confident employer, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a vacancy. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format).