Principal Geotechnical Engineer / Principal Engineering Geologist

Location: Bristol or Exeter (hybrid working)
Recruiter: Morson Talent
Sector: Highways & Infrastructure

About the role

Morson Talent is partnering with a major national highways organisation to recruit a Principal Geotechnical Engineer / Principal Engineering Geologist to join a South West Operations Geotechnical team.

This is a senior technical role where you will work closely with the Geotechnical Engineering Team Manager to lead, inspire and support a team of geotechnical professionals. You will play a key role in managing geotechnical risks, setting priorities and developing innovative early solutions across a diverse portfolio of schemes.

Your expertise will span earthworks, slopes and rock faces, and their interaction with drainage, structures and other highway assets. Acting as a technical authority, you will help ensure infrastructure solutions are safe, resilient and future-proof, while also influencing the ongoing development of geotechnical asset management practices.

This role is hybrid, with office bases available in Bristol or Exeter.

Please note: This role requires driving as part of normal duties. A full driving licence with no more than 3 penalty points is required at appointment and throughout employment.

Key responsibilities

Known internally as a Principal Geotechnical Engineer, your responsibilities will include:

• Providing specialist technical expertise to identify geotechnical risks and shape early solutions for renewal and improvement schemes, considering methodology, innovation, buildability and cost
• Developing asset-specific management plans to support value-for-money decision-making aligned to policies, standards and business objectives
• Identifying, prioritising and managing geotechnical asset needs in line with governance requirements (e.g. DMRB standards)
• Commissioning and overseeing ground investigation and survey works, including the review and approval of technical briefs, reports, specifications, drawings and supporting documentation
• Championing high-quality asset data by monitoring performance, driving innovation in data management, and supporting colleagues to maintain data integrity and standards

About you

You will be an experienced geotechnical professional with strong leadership capability and a passion for asset management and risk-based decision-making. You’ll ideally bring:

• A degree and/or Master’s in a relevant discipline, or an HND/HNC supported by significant relevant experience
• Extensive demonstrable experience in ground engineering and infrastructure works
• Chartered or Incorporated membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. Geological Society, ICE), or equivalent demonstrable experience
• Strong knowledge of geotechnical standards, asset policies, strategies and risk management principles
• Proven asset management and technical decision-making experience (knowledge of degradation modelling is desirable but not essential)
• Experience in working within, developing and managing scheme budgets

Why apply?

This is an opportunity to operate at a senior technical level on high-profile, nationally significant infrastructure, influencing how geotechnical assets are managed both now and into the future. You’ll work in a collaborative, safety-led environment with the scope to shape best practice, mentor others and contribute to long-term network resilience.