Principal / Associate Geotechnical Engineer in Exeter

Location: Exeter, England, United Kingdom. We are looking for an Associate Geotechnical Engineer to lead our South West regional SDF framework within the highways sector. Ideally based locally within the region at our Bristol, Exeter or Truro offices. This role is available on either a full‑time or a part‑time basis.

A Little More About Your Role

• The development of professional and technically competent reports and liaison with specialists and clients predominantly within the highways sector, making use of efficient working practices to provide industry leading, best value services.
• Effectively managing and delivering project work with robust project financial management.
• Assisting in the management of team resources and allocation of appropriate project resources.
• Managing, motivating, mentoring and developing professional staff.
• Providing support in all aspects of project delivery including client liaison, contractors and sub‑consultants, public and statutory body consultation, quality control and management of specialists.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate

• Technical expertise in geotechnical engineering with a demonstrable understanding of the underlying principles.
• Basic design skills for the commonly adopted retaining wall, foundation and slope stabilisation solutions.
• Consultancy experience with demonstrably good commercial awareness and relationships with clients & contractors within the highways sector.
• Ideally Chartered or near‑chartered professional qualification.
• Experience in the delivery of geotechnical projects, including preparing reports to a high technical level.
• An understanding of client requirements and the ability to influence contract specifications.
• Experience of being part of or leading delivery teams that are effective in delivering short to medium term projects from inception to construction.
• Excellent report‑writing and client liaison skills.
• Proven previous experience of undertaking and managing: geotechnical desk studies; designing, procuring & supervising Ground Investigations (GIs); checking Ground Investigation Reports & Geotechnical Design Reports in accordance with the requirements of Eurocode 7 : Part 1.
• Working knowledge of Eurocode 7 and UK annex design codes, ground investigation and construction contracts and specifications including a working knowledge of Design Manual for Roads and Bridges CD622 and CS641.
• Experience in managing the interface with National Highway’s "Safety, Engineering & Standards" and operations and maintenance teams.
• Familiarity and an ability to interrogate a wide range of geotechnical software for the design of civil engineering projects including deep and shallow foundations (including pile group analysis), embedded and gravity retaining walls, earthworks/slope stability and reinforced earthworks.
• The skills to check and critically evaluate the work done by others, be it drawings, calculations or reports, and have a proven track record of doing so.

Additional Information

• Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Apply, and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities within the team.
• A hybrid working policy offers flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.
• We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences.
• We support our people with programs such as the Thrive programme, virtual GP services, gymflex scheme, and comprehensive menopause support package.
• We invest in growth 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.