Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Job Description

About the job

We are a global offshore geoscience and geotechnical engineering consultancy specialising in marine geophysics and geotechnics, ground modelling, foundation engineering, cables/pipelines, trenching and numerical analyses. We work primarily in the offshore renewable energy and sporadically in the oil and gas industry for clients who design, install, and operate offshore, nearshore, and onshore facilities.

Our teams have a strong pipeline of projects and anticipate accelerating growth with the development of wind farms in the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, Mediterranean, United States and on the Asian continent.

We are looking for an experienced senior geotechnical engineer to join our team in Newcastle Upon Tyne in a senior level role. The successful candidate will be managing teams and projects, from technical to financial and administrative, and have significant experience in delivering geotechnical design commissions. She/he will be well-equipped to mentor and lead our engineering staff to deliver consultancy services for our offshore energy projects.

Those services will include ground characterisation projects, submarine cable engineering, ground modelling, ground investigation and supervision, foundation design and installation supervision, and other various consultancy activities. You will be working independently, as part of a team or managing teams of geotechnical engineers, engineering geologists, geophysicists, and GIS specialists.

You will be exposed to client contacts and be required to ‘think outside the box’ and, where required, push the boundaries of knowledge in the industry in key areas such as floating wind, anchoring, large deformation analysis, etc.

You will work with dynamic and entrepreneurial colleagues spread across a range of disciplines. You will be given the opportunity to contribute to research and development initiatives, participating in international conferences and the preparation of technical papers.

Who are we looking for?

The ideal candidate will have a master's degree in Civil Engineering and shall demonstrate 10+ years post-study, relevant industry experience in ground modelling, foundation engineering and the implementation of geotechnical design methods for large infrastructure projects. A PhD degree in geotechnical engineering would be an asset.

Direct, extensive experience in geotechnical design of foundations and cables, ground modelling, site investigation, in offshore and in the wind farm industry will be essential. Installation, operations and maintenance experience, particularly for offshore structures will also be a plus.

Our candidates are expected to have a true passion for engineering, geotechnics, structures, and a hunger for knowledge and sharing experiences with others.

The successful candidate shall:

1. Demonstrate experience in leading, training and mentoring engineers in the above disciplines and sectors.
2. Demonstrate effective decision-making experience.
3. Have a record of producing high-quality outputs and work practices.
4. Demonstrate a willingness to continue learning and developing new technical knowledge and business acumen.
5. Be a reference and mentor for younger engineers.
6. Have an advanced level of technical experience and ability in your area.
7. Show effective management of his/her own work in terms of quality, timescales, utilisation and invoicing.
8. Hold good communication skills, initiative and teamwork.
9. Communicate well and represent Cathie at client meetings, workshops, presentations and publications.
10. Lead and/or contribute to project management activities, including budgets, resources, client liaison, delivery, and QA.
11. Always be respectful of fellow colleagues and managers, with a proactive attitude, and strong work ethic.

Required technical knowledge:

1. Solid knowledge of soil and rock mechanics and foundation engineering.
2. Solid knowledge of ground investigation methodology and interpretation.
3. Understanding of structural engineering and multiple aspects of civil engineering.
4. Demonstrable design experience and working knowledge of applicable regulations, codes of practice and standards in geotechnical and foundation engineering.
5. Solid knowledge of advanced laboratory tests (e.g. Cyclic TX/Cyclic DSS, ring shear, resonant column tests).
6. Experience in writing basis of design, Ground Investigation Reports (GIR), Geotechnical Design Reports (GDR) and delivering foundation designs for several foundation types.
7. Experience in ground investigation campaigns (onshore or offshore) and data interpretation, including ground modelling.
8. Independent in the use of industry-standard numerical modelling software such as FLAC or PLAXIS for modelling soil-structure interaction problems.

Required knowledge:

1. Experience in management of technical deliverables.
2. Ability to write technical/calculation reports in a concise, precise and logical format and mentor junior engineers in best practices.
3. Strong attention to detail.
4. Good interdisciplinary communication skills.
5. Ability to think independently and solve problems, applying innovative solutions where required.
6. Experience in managing staff workload and prioritising tasks.
7. Passion for geological, geotechnical/civil engineering and the renewable energy sector.

Where:

• Your office will be in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; this is a hybrid role, you will be required to be physically in the office, with part of the time remotely.

Nice to haves:

1. Offshore client representative experience or site investigation experience if you come from a contractor’s background, current offshore working certificates.
2. Expert user of Plaxis, FLAC3D, Abaqus, PFEM, UDEC.
3. Knowledge of AGS formats and geotechnical reporting software.
4. Experience using Python, Tableau, Power BI.
5. Experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors.

Why work for Cathie?

1. The opportunity to work for a worldwide leading engineering consultancy with significant reputation in offshore engineering.
2. Multi-cultural, friendly and dynamic environment.
3. We will stretch your technical capabilities and listen to your ideas.
4. CPD support and senior mentorship from industry leads.
5. A modern and friendly office environment in Newcastle City Centre.
6. Flexible working hours and hybrid working.
7. Mentorship by lead engineers with significant reputation in the business.
8. Competitive salary package and bonus.
9. Company pension scheme.
10. Private healthcare and dental care.
11. Bike to work scheme.
12. Electric car scheme.
13. Monthly social activities for all staff.
14. Weekly yoga classes to encourage staff well-being.
15. Remote support working.