Senior Geotechnical Engineer / Principal Geotechnical Engineer

Department: Engineering

Location: Kingswinford

Contract: Permanent

Location: Kingswinford, West Midlands (Hybrid)

Salary: Competitive (dependent on experience)

About Us

GIP Ltd is one of the longest established geological, geo-environmental and geotechnical engineering companies of its kind in the Midlands. Established in 1982, we have been delivering ground investigation, contamination surveys and geotechnical expertise for over 40 years across Shropshire, Gloucestershire, Birmingham, Warwickshire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire and Worcestershire. We provide a comprehensive range of ground investigation, contamination surveys and geotechnical services to a large and diverse client base spanning construction, infrastructure and environmental sectors.

Part of the Celnor Group

In 2023, GIP became a member of the Celnor Group, a UK-based environmental services group operating across the Testing, Inspection, Certification and Compliance (TICC) landscape. With a growing portfolio of specialist businesses, Celnor provides essential services that protect people, property and the environment.

About the Role

We are looking for a Senior or Principal Geotechnical Engineer to join our team in the Midlands. The role involves a mix of site and office-based work, delivering ground investigation and geotechnical consultancy for our clients. You will be responsible for the more technical and complex end of our geotechnical work, including foundation design, earthworks design and slope stability, and will be the person the wider team looks to for guidance on those areas. Alongside the technical work, you will help lead and manage the team day to day and will have the opportunity to contribute to business development.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Lead and deliver geotechnical engineering assessments across a range of geological settings and ground conditions.
• Carry out and oversee foundation design, including for complex or non-standard ground conditions.
• Undertake and review earthworks design and slope stability analyses.
• Examine and cross-check geological logging, field testing and field mapping records.
• Plan and oversee detailed field investigations, including drilling and sample analysis.
• Supervise site and ground investigations and visit new project sites.
• Advise on problems such as subsidence, coal mining and other ground-related hazards.
• Produce and review high-quality geotechnical reports and geological logs.

Project and Commercial Management

• Manage staff including engineering geologists, geotechnical engineers, consultants and contractors.
• Help manage the team day to day, including workload planning and project allocation.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and to client expectations.
• Provide quotes and proposals to clients.
• Maintain and develop client relationships and contribute to winning new work.
• Represent GIP at professional conferences and industry events.

Health, Safety and Compliance

• Observe and promote Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) across all work.
• Ensure staff work in a safe manner and in accordance with company procedures and industry best practice.
• Set an example of safe behaviour, particularly to junior and less experienced staff.

Team Development

• Be the first point of contact for junior and mid-level engineers on complex technical problems.
• Mentor and support the development of junior geologists and engineers.
• Support the training of less experienced colleagues and contribute to the overall capability of the team.

Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise

• Bachelor's degree in Geology, Earth Science, Geoscience or equivalent from a UK university.
• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or a closely related discipline is strongly preferred.
• Minimum 8 to 10 years of experience in ground investigation with a focus on geotechnical engineering.
• Solid working knowledge of foundation design, earthworks design and slope stability.
• Chartered geologist or engineer, or close to applying for chartership.
• Good project management skills and experience managing small teams.
• Computer literate, including Microsoft Office and geotechnical software (e.g. Openground, HoleBase).
• Full UK driving licence (manual transmission).
• Good communicator, comfortable working with clients and leading a technical team.
• Self‑motivated with good problem‑solving skills and sound judgement.

What We're Looking For:

We are looking for an experienced geotechnical engineer who is technically strong, comfortable managing people and projects, and ready to take on a senior role within a well-established team. Experience in foundation design, earthworks and slope stability is important, as is the ability to support and develop the engineers around you.

Join Us

You will be joining a business where your contribution matters and where professionalism and teamwork are genuinely valued. The majority of our geologists started with us as graduates and we have a strong track record of developing our people and providing clear opportunities to progress. As part of the wider Celnor Group, you will benefit from group‑wide investment, shared expertise and opportunities to develop your career as the organisation continues to grow.

Salary and Benefits

• 31 days holiday inclusive of all bank holidays and our Christmas shutdown.
• Regular reviews and appraisals with salary progression as you develop.
• Hybrid working, balancing office, home and site.
• Company pension scheme.
• Access to company vehicles for work use.
• Laptop, mobile phone, GIP branded workwear and all PPE provided.
• Professional fees covered (e.g. FGS).
• Internal and external training.
• £1,000 bonus on attaining chartership.

GIP is an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter explaining why you're the right fit for this role.

Important Information

Celnor Group and its businesses manage recruitment directly. We do not require agency support for this role and will only engage with recruitment partners from our preferred supplier list where necessary. We may use technology, including AI‑enabled tools, to support parts of the recruitment process. AI is not used for candidate screening, scoring or hiring decisions. All hiring decisions are made by people, for people. Our recruitment systems are ISO 42001 accredited, reflecting our commitment to ethical, transparent and responsible use of technology.