Senior Principal Geotechnical Engineer - Water Sector

The UK's water infrastructure is being reshaped right now. AMP8 is driving one of the most significant investment cycles in a generation, and Stantec's Ground Assessment Team is playing a central role in it. From multibillion-pound frameworks with United Utilities to major programmes with Northumbrian Water, the work we are doing across the North is consequential, complex and deeply rewarding for the right person.

We are looking for a Senior Principal Geotechnical Engineer who is ready to step into a leadership role that genuinely influences how that work gets done. If you are an established technical authority who wants your expertise to leave a lasting mark, this is the appointment for you.

About The Role

You will sit at the heart of our Ground Engineering strategy across the North or South West, providing strategic direction for some of our most ambitious and high-profile programmes.

Your responsibilities will span four areas. As a technical authority, you will provide high-level advisory services to senior clients, government stakeholders, and joint venture partners, offering final sign-off and rigorous review of complex geotechnical designs, interpretative reports, and ground models. As an innovation leader, you will drive the adoption of digital-first workflows and data-driven analysis, keeping Stantec at the leading edge of how geotechnical work is done. As a mentor, you will play a vital role in developing our Principal and Senior Engineers, nurturing technical curiosity and high performance across our regional teams. And as a commercial contributor, you will help identify emerging opportunities and lead technical responses to major bids, ensuring our geotechnical offering continues to grow.

Your Impact

The scale of what we are delivering here is significant, but what makes this role truly meaningful is the philosophy behind it. Our community-first approach to sustainable design means that the work you lead will have lasting benefits for the environments and communities we serve, not just today, but well into the future.

You will shape how ground engineering is practised at Stantec, influencing both the technical standards we uphold and the people who will carry them forward long after the current programmes are complete.

About You

You hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or Geology, and you are a Chartered Engineer or Geologist with a relevant institution such as ICE or the Geological Society. You bring a proven track record of solving high-consequence geotechnical challenges, with deep knowledge of geotechnical structures, ground risk management and large-scale site characterisation in a UK consultancy environment.

But your expertise goes beyond the technical. You communicate complex risk clearly and confidently to senior audiences. You lead with collaboration rather than hierarchy. You are genuinely excited about where digital innovation is taking the discipline. And you are motivated not just by delivering excellent work, but by the legacy that work leaves behind.

If that sounds like you, we would very much like to talk.

Why Join Us

• We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed.
• We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025. Named 'Best Place to Work' and 'International Consulting Firm of the Year' at the NCE Awards 2024.
• We do what is right: Industry-leading training and development, as well as paid professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan to support you in becoming chartered with ICE.
• We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment, an Early Careers peer group, and a wider ERG network (see more on our ERGs here: Stantec Employee Resource Groups)
• Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK - we want you to be part of it!
• Great Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection & life assurance included as standard as well as discounted gym membership and lots more.
• Hybrid/Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible work.

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About Stantec

The Stantec community unites more than 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities.

Our teams provide effective and relevant solutions, translating our clients’ vision into valued consents, deliverable plans for projects and programmes, and efficient designs for delivery, based on technical excellence and deep market insights. We deal with today’s challenges, but also keep a fairer, better tomorrow in sight, looking at how we deliver clean growth, support radical changes in our economy and meet the needs of future communities.

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment.

Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports, and develops world‑class talent is a crucial key to our success. If you are excited by this role but worry that your experience doesn’t exactly align, we encourage you to apply.

At Stantec we want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all. If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact we will talk to you about how we can support you.

Other Locations:

Newcastle, Manchester, Cardiff, Bristol, Leeds

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