Tunnel and Geotechnical Lead

Job description

Tunnel & Geotechnical Engineering Lead

Are you an experienced tunnel or geotechnical engineering professional motivated by shaping the technical direction of major infrastructure projects? NES Fircroft has been exclusively retained to support our client, a globally recognised construction and infrastructure specialist, as they strengthen their engineering leadership capability across the UK & Ireland.

This role offers a rare opportunity to influence how tunnelling and geotechnical excellence is embedded across the project lifecycle, from early development and tender strategy through to construction and handover. Working closely with senior engineering, commercial, and project leaders, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring that underground and geotechnical solutions are safe, robust, buildable, and aligned with long‑term project success.

As Tunnel & Geotechnical Engineering Lead, your responsibilities will include:

• Providing functional leadership and technical accountability for tunnelling and geotechnical engineering across the UK & Ireland portfolio.
• Acting as the regional focal point for tunnel and geotechnical expertise, supporting projects throughout development, tender, design, construction, and handover.
• Leading the technical governance of complex underground works, including tunnels, shafts, foundations, earthworks, and ground treatment solutions.
• Overseeing tender‑stage design activities for major projects, coordinating external designers and ensuring competitive, compliant, and deliverable solutions.
• Identifying, assessing, and managing technical risks and opportunities in close collaboration with commercial, planning, and construction teams.

In this role, you will collaborate across multidisciplinary and joint‑venture teams, working with designers, contractors, clients, and regulators to deliver technically sound and commercially viable outcomes. The position is well suited to someone who enjoys combining deep technical expertise with leadership, mentoring, and strategic influence. As the client’s major project portfolio evolves, there is potential for the role to transition into a senior, project‑based engineering leadership position on a flagship scheme.

Qualifications & Experience

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) in Civil Engineering or equivalent professional standing.
• Extensive experience delivering major infrastructure projects with significant tunnelling and/or geotechnical scope, ideally within the UK.
• Proven leadership experience on complex, high‑risk underground works across design and construction phases.
• Strong understanding of UK design standards, CDM Regulations, and modern construction methodologies.
• Collaborative leadership style with excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Our client offers a highly competitive reward package alongside the opportunity to work on some of the most complex and impactful infrastructure projects in the UK & Ireland. The organisation values collaborative leadership, thoughtful decision‑making, and sustainable ways of working, and is committed to creating an environment where people can do their best work, develop their careers, and contribute meaningfully to long‑term project success.

If you’re motivated by technical excellence, collaborative leadership, and shaping the future of major infrastructure delivery, we encourage you to apply.

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

London Area

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

03-04-2026

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English