Principal Geotechnical Engineer in Bristol

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects, and work with the brightest minds in your field to deliver the best work of your life. You’ll thrive in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives, giving you the opportunity to shape a unique career path.

Responsibilities

• Develop professional, technically competent reports and liaise with specialists and clients across a wide range of sectors, using efficient working practices to deliver best‑value services.
• Effectively manage and deliver project work with robust financial management.
• Assist in the management of team resources and allocation of appropriate project resources.
• Manage, motivate, mentor, and develop professional staff.
• Provide support in all aspects of project delivery including client liaison, contractors and sub‑consultants, public and statutory body consultation, quality control, and specialist management.

Qualifications

• Technical expertise in geotechnical engineering or engineering geology with a demonstrable understanding of the underlying principles.
• Consultancy experience with strong commercial awareness and established relationships with clients & contractors.
• Chartered professional qualification and significant post‑qualification experience.
• Experience delivering geotechnical, engineering geology and other ground engineering projects, including preparing high‑technical reports.
• Understanding of client requirements and the ability to influence contract specifications.
• Experience leading or being part of delivery teams that effectively manage short‑ to medium‑term projects from inception to construction.
• Excellent report‑writing and client liaison skills.
• Proven experience of undertaking and managing desk studies, designing, procuring & supervising ground investigations (GIs), and checking GI and geotechnical design reports in accordance with Eurocode 7: Part 1.
• Working knowledge of Eurocode 7, UK annex design codes, ground investigation, construction contracts and specifications.
• Familiarity with a wide range of geotechnical software for designing civil engineering projects including deep and shallow foundations, pile group analysis, embedded and gravity retaining walls, earthworks/slope stability and reinforced earthworks.
• Ability to critically evaluate the work of others—drawings, calculations, reports—and a proven track record of doing so.

Benefits

• Hybrid working policy: work from home up to two days a week with opportunities to collaborate in modern offices across the UK.
• Work‑life balance initiatives including “WSP My Hour” (one hour per day for personal activities) and flexible holiday arrangements.
• Health & wellbeing support through the Thrive programme, a virtual GP service, gymflex scheme, and a comprehensive menopause support package.
• Career development opportunities, including training, mentoring and chartership support.
• Inclusivity & belonging culture with employee resource groups and a Disability‑Confident hiring policy.

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.