Senior Principal Geotechnical Engineer - Water Sector

As we move through the height of the AMP8 investment cycle, Stantec’s Ground Assessment Team is operating at the absolute forefront of the UK's infrastructure evolution. We are now seeking a Senior Principal Geotechnical Engineer to join our leadership team in Warrington, or Newcastle.

This is a high-level appointment for a recognised technical authority who can navigate the complexities of modern engineering while championing our "community-first" sustainable design philosophy. You will provide strategic direction for our most prestigious UK programmes, including multibillion-pound frameworks for United Utilities, and Northumbrian Water.

In this role, you will act as a cornerstone of our Ground Engineering strategy across the North. Your responsibilities will include:

• Strategic Advisory: Acting as a leading technical authority, providing high-level advisory services to C-suite clients, government stakeholders, and joint venture partners.
• Technical Governance: Providing final technical sign-off and rigorous review for complex geotechnical designs, interpretative reports, and ground models for major national infrastructure.
• Innovation Leadership: Driving the adoption of digital-first workflows and AI-driven geotechnical analysis, ensuring Stantec remains at the cutting edge of industry efficiency in 2026.
• Mentorship & Talent Strategy: Playing a vital role in the career development of our Principal and Senior engineers, fostering a culture of technical curiosity and high performance across our regional hubs.
• Commercial Growth: Identifying emerging market trends and leading technical bid responses for major capital programmes, ensuring our geotechnical offerings remain world-class.

About You

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

Beyond your technical mastery, you are an exceptional communicator, capable of translating intricate technical risks into clear, strategic business advice for C-suite clients, government stakeholders, and contractors alike. You thrive as a collaborative leader, possessing both the vision to drive digital-first innovation and the commitment to mentor the next generation of engineers across our regional hubs. Most importantly, you are driven by a legacy mindset, passionate about delivering sustainable geotechnical solutions that provide lasting benefits for the communities and environments we serve in 2026 and beyond.

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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 [email protected]  and we will talk to you about how we can support you.