Geotechnical Design Engineer

Geotechnical Design Engineer

Location: Warrington - Hybrid
Business Unit: Infrastructure – Environment

About Us

Galliford Try is one of the UK's leading construction and infrastructure businesses, delivering innovative engineering solutions that create positive, lasting change for communities across the UK.

Our Infrastructure – Environment Business is the UK's largest Tier 1 contractor operating within the Water and Environment sector, delivering a substantial portfolio of long-term framework and major project work. As part of our 2030 Strategy, we have brought together all aspects of Engineering Design into a single business unit, providing specialist design support to projects and frameworks across the UK.

The Temporary Works & Geotechnical team plays a vital role in supporting not only our Environment Business, but also our Highways and Building divisions, delivering high-quality engineering solutions that support project success and long-term client relationships.

Purpose of the Role

We are looking for an ambitious and technically capable Geotechnical Design Engineer to join our growing Engineering Design team.

Reporting to a Principal or Senior Geotechnical Design Engineer, you will be responsible for delivering geotechnical designs and design checks in accordance with Galliford Try's Business Management System (BMS), CDM regulations and industry best practice.

Working as part of a specialist team, you will support the design of both permanent and temporary works solutions, including geotechnical investigations, excavation support systems, foundations, retaining structures and slope stability assessments. You'll also contribute to value engineering, design optimisation, buildability reviews and technical problem-solving across a wide range of infrastructure projects.

This is an excellent opportunity for a geotechnical engineer looking to broaden their experience and progress towards professional chartership within a major UK contractor.

What You'll Be Doing

As a Geotechnical Design Engineer, you will:

• Produce geotechnical calculations, specifications, technical reports and design documentation.
• Support the delivery of permanent and temporary works solutions across a wide range of infrastructure projects.
• Develop designs for excavation support systems, retaining walls, slopes, foundations and working platforms.
• Review geotechnical investigation data and contribute to technical assessments and recommendations.
• Support value engineering and buildability reviews to improve project outcomes.
• Review and coordinate supply chain design submissions.
• Contribute technical input into tenders, feasibility studies and early contractor involvement activities.
• Support project teams throughout design, construction and commissioning phases.
• Assist with mentoring Graduate and Assistant Engineers as your experience develops.

Key Responsibilities

Design & Technical Delivery

• Prepare design calculations, reports, specifications and supporting technical documentation.
• Deliver geotechnical engineering solutions that are safe, buildable and commercially effective.
• Support the design of:
  • Excavation support systems
  • Retaining walls
  • Shallow and deep foundations
  • Slope stability solutions
  • Working platforms
  • Earthworks and ground engineering schemes
• Ensure design deliverables are completed to programme and budget requirements.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, technical improvements and cost efficiencies.
• Support whole-life cost assessments and feasibility studies.

Geotechnical & Ground Engineering

Experience in the following areas would be particularly beneficial:

• Geotechnical investigations (GI)
• Ground investigation specifications and reporting
• Foundation design
• Groundwater control
• Pile design
• Geology and ground risk assessment
• Environmental mitigation
• Earthworks engineering

Health, Safety & Risk Management

• Support the delivery of industry-leading health and safety standards through design.
• Undertake design risk assessments and contribute to hazard elimination and risk reduction.
• Ensure compliance with CDM Regulations and relevant design standards.
• Document design assumptions, risks and constraints throughout project development.
• Promote a positive and proactive safety culture across the design team.

Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Work closely with clients, project teams, contractors and supply chain partners.
• Share lessons learned and engineering best practice.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the design function.
• Contribute to the development of engineering standards, systems and procedures.
• Maintain compliance with Galliford Try's Business Management System.

About You

We're looking for an engineer who combines strong technical capability with excellent communication skills and a genuine passion for solving engineering challenges.

You will be comfortable working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and motivated to develop both your technical expertise and professional qualifications.

Essential Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organisational and time management abilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work to deadlines.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and within a team environment.
• Flexible and proactive approach to work.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Positive and collaborative attitude.

Technical Skills & Experience

• Good understanding of soil mechanics and soil-structure interaction.
• Understanding of geotechnical engineering principles and ground engineering solutions.
• Previous design experience gained within a contractor, consultant, subcontractor or specialist engineering organisation.
• Experience producing engineering calculations and technical reports.
• Understanding of health and safety legislation and CDM principles.
• Experience using geotechnical analysis and engineering software.
• Familiarity with CAD systems and engineering design tools would be advantageous.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Understanding of The Health and Safety at Work Act and CDM 2015 requirements.
• Working towards membership of a recognised professional institution such as:
  • ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers)
  • GeolSoc (Geological Society)
  • Other relevant engineering institution
• Full UK driving licence desirable.
• Willingness to travel occasionally across the UK to support projects and professional development activities.

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing specialist engineering team working on major infrastructure and environmental projects across the UK.

You'll gain exposure to a diverse range of geotechnical challenges while working alongside experienced engineers who are committed to helping you develop your technical skills, broaden your experience and progress your professional career.

Whether you're currently working within consultancy, contracting or specialist engineering, Galliford Try offers an excellent platform for long-term development and career progression.

What We Can Offer in Return

With a strong order book and long-term framework opportunities across the UK, Galliford Try offers stability, career development and the opportunity to work on some of the industry's most complex and rewarding infrastructure projects.

We are committed to maintaining the physical and mental wellbeing of all our people through our Be Well programme, which provides support, guidance and wellbeing resources across a range of areas.

We invest heavily in professional development through structured training, mentoring, chartership support and tailored career pathways.

Our Agile Working programme provides flexibility in how, when and where you work, where operational requirements allow.

Our Benefits

We put our people first and our benefits package reflects that by offering a comprehensive range of attractive options alongside a competitive salary.

• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service, with the option to purchase additional leave
• Car benefit
• A wide range of corporate discounts
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Comprehensive pension scheme
• Save As You Earn share purchase scheme
• Private medical scheme options
• Employee Assistance Programme providing free 24/7 support
• Paid membership to one recognised professional institution relevant to your role

About Us

Our purpose is to improve people's lives through building the facilities and infrastructure that communities need, providing opportunities for our people to learn, grow and progress, promoting best practice throughout our supply chain and caring for the environment in which we work.

We do this by living our values of Excellence, Passion, Integrity and Collaboration (EPIC) and striving to be the most respected business in our sector.

For more information on this role or to enquire about other opportunities within our business, please contact adam.wright@gallifordtry.co.uk.

Additional Information

Galliford Try welcomes applications from candidates who would like to work full-time, reduced hours or flexibly and this will be discussed in more detail as part of the recruitment process.

We encourage candidates to let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments we can make to support them throughout the recruitment process.

Don't meet every requirement? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification. At Galliford Try, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this opportunity but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway.

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to offering an interview to candidates with a long-term health condition or disability who meet the essential criteria for the role. Please contact the Resourcing Partner listed within the advert if you believe this applies to you.

A full job description is available upon request.