Principal Geotechnical Engineer

Join to apply for the Principal Geotechnical Engineer role at Primal Gym. The role is key in solving unique and complex Geotechnical problems that impact business strategy and performance.

The Principal Geotechnical Engineer is tasked with solving complex problems that have broad impact on the business. They proactively identify and solve major challenges, act as a specialist within Geotechnical engineering, and influence project direction, resource allocation, and industry‑compliant practices. The role requires conceptual and innovative thinking to develop creative solutions to Geotechnical challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform conceptual, FEED, and detailed analyses and design per project specifications, design codes, and standards.
• Apply in-depth skills and broad knowledge to address complex and non‑standard problems.
• Prepare clear and accurate detailed design calculations, analysis reports, and procedures.
• Manage own time to meet objectives; as Geotechnical Group Lead, forecast and plan resource requirements.
• Communicate and explain difficult concepts and persuade stakeholders to adopt a point of view.
• When acting as Geotechnical Group Lead: lead a project team, plan scope, deliverables, schedule and manpower, ensure interfaces and deliverables, maintain progress, represent Geotechnical discipline in meetings.
• Collaborate with Civil, foundation, and structural engineers; may work on multiple projects as required.
• Design deep and shallow foundations for onshore facilities; offshore foundation knowledge beneficial.
• Prepare scope of work for seismic, geophysical site investigations, laboratory tests for pipelines and LNG/petrochemical plants.
• Interpret ground investigation data, derive foundation parameters, calculate pile capacities, pile group responses, soil‑pile interactions, settlement, sliding resistance, retaining walls, seismic hazard analyses, and geohazard mitigation.
• Prepare earthwork design specifications and implementation plans.
• Develop novel foundation concepts.

Reports To Project Lead Engineer, Project Engineering Manager, or Project Manager; functional: CSA Department Manager. Liaise with all engineering disciplines, fabrication groups, safety, project management, document control, planners, cost controllers, QC, certification groups, procurement, subcontractors, vendors, customers. Supervises Senior Engineers and Engineers.

Essential Qualifications and Education

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Engineering.
• 15–20 years of experience in oil and gas with major contractors or consultants, predominantly in detailed design.
• Deep knowledge of design techniques, analysis methods, standards, codes, and guidelines.
• Project coordination and execution skills.
• Preferably a Registered Chartered Engineer (ICE) or equivalent professional membership.
• Strong technical competence in geotechnical calculations, reports, drawings, national standards and codes of practice (e.g., Eurocode 7).
• Team player, independent work capacity, strong verbal and written communication.
• Ability to resolve complex geotechnical issues and provide technical leadership.
• Mentoring and guidance experience.
• Knowledge of ground investigation methods and laboratory testing programs for foundation design.
• Offshore foundation design experience beneficial.
• Experience with numerical modelling and geotechnical software (FE analysis, SLOPE, ABAQUS) preferred.
• Full familiarity with MS Office (Word, Excel, etc.).

Employment Mid‑Senior level, Contract. Location London, England, United Kingdom.