Contents
What you need to know:
Where you can find work
What sorts of projects you will work on
How much you can earn
Any technical specifications that you should be aware of
Where are geotechnical jobs located?
The job market for geotechnical professionals is thriving, as more land and buildings are being repurposed. Generally speaking, Greater London is most likely your best bet, as it has the highest demand for design engineers.
Geotechnical Jobs may be found in such locations as:
- London, Greater London
- Birmingham, West Midlands
- Manchester, Greater Manchester
- Bristol
- Leeds, West Yorkshire
- Liverpool, Merseyside
- England
- Scotland
- Glasgow
Tip: Most agencies have specialists for different locations, however, because geotechnical engineering is so specialized, the London office may handle other parts of the country as well.
Outlook
There is a surprising range of opportunities for many geotech engineers with experience including embankment stabilisation projects to tunnelling. The outlook for qualified and experienced engineers is relatively solid and growing. According to GE100 survey results, the UK has been experiencing a skill shortage in the geotechnical sector for many years. Additionally, the majority of heavy civil projects are continuing and longer term this is expected to continue.
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Projects
In terms of size and diversity, the scope of projects is surprisingly dynamic. The UK’s two-fold need to maintain old and develop new infrastructure and the demands of an expanding population. There are also very large-scale new-build projects in the Middle East which many British consultancies win.
Geotechnical engineers are required for a whole range of projects involving underground construction, such as geotechnical tunnel jobs.
Common responsibilities as a geotechnical engineer:
- Site investigation
- Site analysis
- Sampling and testing
- Geotechnical analysis
- Report writing
- Project management
- Business development
- Earthwork design
- Soil mechanics
Prospects
As your experience grows, so will your job prospects. With 2-6+ years of experience, you’ll find a wider range of opportunities available in both contract and permanent positions.
Recruitment agencies don’t normally represent graduate engineers. If you’re a graduate looking to move to the UK, it’s best to apply directly for a graduate position with a company there. (This process is much easier if you have the right to work in the UK without restriction – like an EU passport.)
Recruitment
Recruitment agencies play a critical role in the engineering industry. A recruitment agency’s business is built on its ability to provide quality candidates for employers while simultaneously facilitating the candidate’s development and career progression.
To find a great job:
- Register with recruitment agencies before you arrive. In order to find the best job, recruitment agencies may wish to contact you for further before submitting your CV to potential employers.
- Begin applying for jobs about three months before you arrive. If you register with an agency, your recruitment consultant will start arranging interviews before your arrival.
- If your arrival date or travel plans change, make sure you inform your recruitment consultant immediately.
- Having detailed examples of your experience can be beneficial during the interview process. Having an example of a written report completed by you in a previous position can be an effective way of highlighting your knowledge, skills and experience.
What types of jobs are available for geotechnical engineers?
Geotechnical engineering jobs generally follow this hierarchy:
- Graduate / Technician / Assistant / Junior
- Geotechnical Engineer
- Senior
- Principal
- Department Manager
Most geotechnical engineers work in the private sector, either on a contract or permanent basis, employed by engineering companies or consultancies.
What are the earnings?
Geotechnical jobs are generally well-paid. As always, however, your earnings will correspond to your experience and new arrivals should not expect to earn premium rates immediately. That said, your earnings can relatively quickly increase even with just a few months of employment
This engineer salary scale can be used as a general guide:
| Grade | Experience (yrs | Salary range p/a |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate / Assistant / Junior Engineer | 0-3 | £20-33K + benefits |
| Geotechnical Engineer | 3-6 | £31-55K + benefits |
| Senior Geotechnical Engineer | 6-10 | £39 - 57K + benefits |
| Principal Engineer | 10+ | £44 - 60K plus + benefits |
The earnings you receive as a geotechnical engineer may also be affected by a number of work factors, such as:
- The particular project experience you possess
- The size and financial strength of the company
- The level of urgency to complete a project and
- The location in which you work.
Working as a geotechnical engineer
Standards — the eurocodes
The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) — of which the UK is a member — has developed a set of Eurocodes, which ensures consistency of design and specifications throughout Europe.
Since 2010, Eurocodes have been introduced throughout the UK. The general rules for Eurocode 7: Geotechnical Design were first published in 2006 and now completely replaced British national standards.
The introduction of the Eurocodes represents an exciting opportunity for overseas geotechnical engineers to gain valuable experience in what will quickly become one of the most used standards in the world.
That said, many British engineering consultancies are doing work in the Middle East and many of these projects follow US standards, so you may be exposed to all kinds of standards.
Software and applications
To work as a geotechnical engineer, you will likely have experience in the use of industry-specific software, for example:
- Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software
- Geographic Information System software (GIS)
It is not expected that you should have previous experience with UK-specific applications. Training for new software packages is usually offered for those taking on a new position.
Your qualifications
The Engineering Council currently holds the following agreements with overseas engineering organisations for the mutual recognition of accredited academic engineering programmes:
- Sydney Accord
- Washington Accord
- Dublin Accord
Make sure you remember to bring a copy of your degree certificate with you. Chartership or Holding a Master of Science may also be advantageous, though this is certainly not required.
The Engineering Council charters geotechnical engineers. The Council also recognises the chartered status awarded by many other national engineering bodies. The British Geotechnical Association is the main association.
Important information for your CV
Make sure your CV includes a list of the projects you’ve worked on, with specific details about the scope of the projects and your responsibilities. Including information like the scope, type of work, and a description of what was completed will help convey the full depth of your experience to recruitment consultants and future employers.
Be sure to list your experience in reverse-chronological order (i.e., most recent experience first). Use lists and bullet points to make it easy for the reader to quickly scan and understand your experience and skills.
Example:
Mar 2016 — Present
Company Name, Country
Geotechnical Engineer
Responsibilities:
- Management and supervision of geotechnical investigations, including geotechnical soil evaluations, geotechnical design of tunnel linings and geotechnical creek bank stabilization
- Data interpretation, including geophysics
- Foundation designs for piled and gravity-based structures
Table of Contents
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