Geotechnical Engineer - Dam Break Specialist in London

What if you could shape a career as unique as you? At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.

A Little More About Your Role

• Work as part of a diverse team of engineers, scientists and modellers from conceptual design through to detail design and engineering.
• Provide specialised technical input focused on tailings management facilities, heap leach facilities, water impoundments and waste rock dump design, soil mechanics, soil improvement methods, geosynthetic materials engineering and related civil engineering work for projects worldwide.
• Assist project managers in the successful delivery of projects by managing own involvement in projects, including time, budget and quality control.
• Prepare technical reports, drawings, specifications, bill of quantities, and cost estimates.
• Exciting opportunities to travel within the UK and Internationally to assist clients in solving engineering problems and support construction of WSP designs. Travel outside of UK will require overnight stays, and likely duration will depend on the nature of the project/client needs and project location.
• Develop and maintain good relationships with new and existing clients and be able to effectively represent WSP on site.
• Liaise with the Mining Team networks, which include specialists within WSP both nationally and internationally. To include participation in Europe’s Mining Team meetings and calls as and when required.
• Provide mentoring and coaching to other team members of graduate level.
• Assist others in carrying out business development activities including preparation of technical proposals.
• Act in the spirit of WSP's values and do not misinterpret their meaning. Adhere to the WSP Code of Conduct at all times and raise concerns as appropriate. Regularly familiarise self with the Code of Conduct and how it is applicable to own role/position within the organisation.
• Display a ‘safety first’ attitude in line with an interdependent health and safety culture, promote positive health and safety, raise safety issues through the appropriate channels and adhere to WSP health and safety policy and procedures.
• Ensure actions and behaviours are aligned to WSP's Equality Policy at all times.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate

• Undertake dam breach and flood modelling studies, including breach parameter development, model setup, simulation, and result interpretation.
• Develop and manage hydraulic and debris‑flow models.
• Perform consequence assessments, including inundation mapping, impact classification, and consequence evaluation.
• Support risk analysis activities, including failure mode definition and consequence evaluation.
• Interpret and apply material characterisation and rheological laboratory test data (e.g. yield stress, viscosity, flow behaviour) for use in numerical models.
• Prepare clear, concise technical reports, figures, and appendices suitable for regulatory submission and independent review.
• Collaborate with geotechnical, hydrology, and water management specialists across projects.

Skills & Experience

• Experience in dam breach analysis, tailings breach modelling, or flood consequence assessment.
• Demonstrated capability in one or more of the following software packages: QGIS, FLO‑2D, HEC‑RAS, Civil 3D.
• Understanding of material behaviour and rheology relevant to tailings or debris‑flow modelling.
• Experience supporting or contributing to risk assessments and consequence classification studies.
• Technical writing skills, with experience producing professional, well‑structured reports.
• Ability to communicate technical findings clearly to internal teams and clients.

Desirable Experience

• Experience with tailings storage facilities (TSFs) or dam safety projects.
• Familiarity with international guidelines and frameworks, such as GISTM, CDA / ANCOLD / ICOLD guidance.
• Experience working on mining or large infrastructure projects.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all. Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can. At WSP, we're interested in you, your experience, your potential and the way you think. AI can be a useful tool to support your application and preparation, and our guidance explains how you can use it responsibly throughout our recruitment process.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Work-life balance: At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community. Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.
• Inclusivity & Belonging: We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP.
• Health & Wellbeing: We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most.
• Flex your time: To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day. We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.
• Your development: We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.