P rincipal Geotechnical Engineer

BSc (Hons) in Geological Sciences and MSc in Engineering Geology

What does a Principal Geotechnical Engineer do?

Within my company, Principal Geotechnical Engineers are responsible for the day to day supervision of projects, liaising with clients, designers, subcontractors and principal contractors. At this stage, are a lot more are WFH/office based and tend to only go to site for one off visits or audits but are ultimately responsible for making sure the job deliverables are met.

What formal qualifications and/or previous work experience did you need to get your job?

I obtained a degree from University of Leeds in Geological Sciences then an MSc from Newcastle University in Engineering Geology. Ideally, you’ll need an earth science or engineering degree at minimum such as civil engineering, engineering geology or geotechnical engineering. However, that’s not to say that without this you cannot pursue a career in geotechnical engineering as a degree in a subject such as maths, physics or anything relating to data interpretation is also helpful.

Apart from formal qualifications, what other skills or characteristics do you need in your role?

When you start your career, you need to not only be willing to work away from home, sometimes for months and on shift rotation (e.g. 12 days on, 2 days off) but also to work in all sorts of weather. You also learn that the definition of ‘waterproof’ varies a lot depending on the quality of the PPE you have been given!

What sort of organisation do you work for?

I work for BAM Ground Engineering (formerly BAM Ritchies) which is a ground engineering contracting firm. Whereas I am part of the Ground Investigation division which involves drilling and logging boreholes, there are also other divisions such as geotechnical which focusses more on design as well as drill and blast which as the name states, drill and blow up rock!

" Anywhere in the world where infrastructure is being developed, you’re going to need geotechnical engineers "

Where else could you work as a Principal Geotechnical Engineer?

There are many companies globally where I could work as a Principal Geotechnical Engineer. They are always in demand. After graduation a lot of people moved to New Zealand and Australia although there is also a lot of work opportunities in Canada, South Africa and China. Anywhere in the world where infrastructure is being developed, you’re going to need geotechnical engineers.

If this wasn’t your first job after your studies, what did you do in-between?

Luckily this was my first job immediately after graduating, as in I finished my MSc on Friday and the company I had interviewed for wanted me to start the following Monday.

Do you travel, either within the UK or overseas, in your role? How often?

Currently for my position I primarily work from home with a more technical focus processing the data that comes in from site such as logs as well as lab data as well as being responsible for writing up and sending out the factual reports. However, there is opportunity to travel. This usually happens a lot more within your first few years of becoming an engineer when you’re more sitework based. Although I personally have never worked overseas I’ve had colleagues that have worked in places such as Cyprus, France and even a long job in Iraq desert drilling water wells!

Do you work a regular length day/week, or are shifts involved?

Currently I work regular hours (between 08:30am to 5:00pm) although there is room for flexibility with the company mindset that so long as the work gets done and you’re available if contacted, the actual working hours are not that important. This has been a result of WFH culture as well as trust within the company. Not all companies have this policy so I do feel lucky to work for one that does.

What do you enjoy about your job?

Once you're in the industry there's so many different paths to take it would be unusual if you did not find your niche. Whether it's project management, data management, technical or even marketing. I began my career working on site as a graduate, found I enjoyed the rock logging side and focused on this for a few years. Following this I then joined the reporting team processing the data coming in from site. My role now involves technical checks and report writing based on everything i've learned throughout my career. Also everything done within engineering is based on a particular rule or standard meaning if you're ever unsure, the chances are the answer is written down somewhere, you just need to know where to look.

What opportunities do you have for developing your skills in your current role?

As well as developing my technical skills, I am also now aiming to develop my leadership skills. Primarily as I have spent a long time with the mindset that to be the best I can in my career means I should only focus on myself whilst not acknowledging that coaching, leading and mentoring others is also not only a useful skill but a mutually beneficial one. If i'm able to teach someone something it means I am now able to focus on something else and that person can now pass the knowledge onto someone else.

What advice or extra information do you wish you’d had before starting this career?

It's somewhat cliché at this point; what you learn in your degree is important but the real and most effective learning is done on the job. Although it's good to be able to recognise if a rock is a schist or a gneiss just from taste, resolving an issue such as realising that all 5 of the logs you're being chased for were actually drilled in the incorrect field that also hit a water main and now the land owner is furious whilst also claiming he needs to be compensated as his prize winning cow tripped over your tracked matting is something that can only be done with experience. If that example seems oddly specific it’s because it has infact happened before! Also if you are living somewhere with light and/or expensive carpet and furniture, invest in strong cleaning materials. When you start there will inevitably be one day when you return home covered in mud. Even if you think you've got it all off before walking in the door you'll soon be proved wrong when you notice muddy prints around your home.

What position would you like to hold in 5 years time?

I am currently working towards the position of Technical Lead which would mean i'd be primarily responsible for the logs, data and reporting for all projects including major multi-million pound ones. In order to obtain this I had to be chartered. I obtained the award of Chartered Scientist earlier this year, but it would also be good within 5 years to also be able to obtain Chartered Geologist. Partly as it's an impressive chartership to obtain but also once I have 2, i'll have the incentive to collect all the metaphorical professional qualification infinity stones!

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