Principal Geotechnical Engineer in Leeds

Location: Leeds City Location, Monday to Friday office 8 hours a day worked.

Benefits:

• Holiday entitlement starting at 23 days per year plus 8 bank holidays, increasing to 24 days after one year and 25 days after two years’ service.
• Life assurance cover of 4x annual salary.
• Pension scheme via salary sacrifice, with company contributions of 5% and employee contributions of 4% (with the option to contribute more).
• Access to a benefits platform offering instant discounts on shopping, dining and travel.
• Discounted private health and dental care.
• Gym membership discounts, with no minimum contract period.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Electric car scheme, available after successful completion of probation.

Role Purpose:

Provides technical leadership and governance for geotechnical engineering activities across major infrastructure portfolios.

Key Responsibilities:

• Undertake geotechnical assessments and interpret ground investigation data to produce conceptual and detailed ground models.
• Prepare geotechnical design reports in accordance with Eurocode 7.
• Carry out soil-structure interaction analysis and geotechnical calculations.
• Support or lead deep excavation, retaining wall, and foundation design activities.
• Contribute to tunnelling assessments including SCL, TBM, shaft, and portal works.
• Comply with CDM 2015 regulations, company HSEQ procedures, and promote a positive safety culture across all activities.
• Work in accordance with BIM Level 2 / ISO 19650 standards for information management and collaborative delivery.
• Support NEC4 contract administration, early warning processes, Program reviews, and change management activities.
• Review and approve technical deliverables, calculations, and specifications.
• Provide mentoring and technical development support to junior engineers.
• Act as technical authority during bids, client reviews, and design assurance panels.

Technical Requirements:

• Proficiency in 2D/3D geotechnical design software.
• Experience with gINT/OpenGround for ground investigation data management.
• Understanding of pile design, retaining structures, and settlement analysis.
• Knowledge of UK ground conditions and geotechnical risk management.
• Familiarity with finite element modelling and construction staging.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary interfaces and design assurance processes.
• Experience in major projects governance, risk workshops, and independent checking.

Experience & Qualifications:

• Degree-qualified in Engineering Geology, Geotechnical Engineering, or Civil Engineering.
• 10+ years experience within heavy civils infrastructure, i.e. tunnelling, or ground engineering sectors.
• Strong understanding of Eurocode 7, BS standards, and UK industry practice.
• Working towards or holding Chartered status with ICE or Geological Society depending on level.
• Demonstrable leadership on major UK infrastructure Programs.

Company Background:

The Joseph Gallagher Group is a family owned Civil Engineering business that delivers expertise whilst putting client satisfaction at the core of the business. Built on a personal reputation for honesty and quality, we understand the actions we take affect the communities and environments we operate in.

LIFE Culture:

We're promoting a culture change within the industry and demonstrating initiatives to dramatically improve Health, Safety and Wellbeing. In 2014, we launched our award-winning cultural safety programme (LIFE) which is deeply embedded into the company’s DNA and core values.

Disability Confident Committed:

We are a disability confident employer and we're committed to providing equal opportunities in employment. All individuals will be treated in a fair and equal manner and in accordance with the law regardless of gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation.

Reasonable Adjustments:

We want to make our recruitment processes accessible to everyone, so if there is any way that we can support you to enable you to be the best you can, please contact the HR team at HR@josephgallagher.co.uk.