Associate Director - Ground Engineering

Job Description

AECOM UK & Ireland Ground Engineering Practice has an Associate Director level vacancy in our Belfast office.  

At AECOM, our Ground Engineering Practice serves a wide range of end markets including the energy, water, nuclear (decommissioning and new build), defence, aviation, ports, data centres, highways and rail. We provide one-stop access to services in feasibility and desktop studies, ground investigation, interpretation, detailed design, contract administration, technical advisory and construction supervision for geotechnical works. 

We work for leading UK, Irish and International clients, including National Grid, BP, Sellafield, Associated British Ports, Transport Scotland, National Highways, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Network Rail, and local authorities, as well as for prominent contractors and developers. Our impressive portfolio features a range of regional and national projects, such as Uisce Éireann and Northern Ireland Water Projects, a large portfolio of Irish Highways and Greenways schemes, the Great Grid Upgrade, STEP Fusion, pumped storage hydro projects in the Scottish Highlands, Snowdonia VIP, A83 Rest and be Thankful, M54-M6 Link Road, water schemes for various water utilities clients (UK&I) and HMNB Devonport redevelopment. Additionally, we are involved in overseas projects such as Eastlink in Sweden. 

As our business continues to expand nationwide, we are dedicated to fostering high-performing teams across all sectors through strong and inspiring leadership. 

In this pivotal senior role, you will drive the technical development of our Ground Engineering team while strengthening its capabilities and supporting business growth through the development and management of strong client relationships. 

Here’s what you’ll be doing 

• Providing effective leadership and support to the Ground Engineering team to ensure the successful completion and delivery of projects to clients and internal partners in accordance with time and quality expectations. 

• Ensuring adequate mentoring and development of junior team members, ensuring they receive appropriate guidance and support. 

• Overseeing input, peer review and verification of geotechnical data and analyses as well as design calculations based on sound technical understanding and experience. 

• Providing consultative advice to external partners during all stages of the project life cycle including site-selection and optioneering, design and construction. 

• Effectively managing or overseeing geotechnical projects including planning and developing schedules, co-ordination and to meet objectives, programme and budget. 

• Maintaining a strong industry presence and building relationships with past, current, and prospective customers to support a consistent pipeline of business opportunities. Taking the Ground Engineering lead for the delivery of multi-disciplinary projects to internal and external stakeholders. 

• Working collaboratively with other members of the Ground Engineering and Tunnelling team as well as members of Transport, Water, Energy and Buildings and Places teams providing inputs to project works and tenders. 

• You will preferably have good knowledge of Irish Rail, Network Rail, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Department for Infrastructure and National Highways (England) design and reporting processes, and other statutory agencies for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. 

Qualifications

Qualifications: 

Here’s what you’ll need. 

• A degree in Civil Engineering or Engineering Geology/Geology, with a 2:1 classification (or equivalent) or higher. 

• An MSc/MEng in Soil Mechanics, Geotechnical Engineering or Engineering Geology is advantageous. 

• Chartered status. 

• Strong knowledge of Irish and UK ground conditions and ground investigation practices. 

• Demonstrable understanding of current design codes, standards, and best practices in geotechnical design, but also open to exploring new methods and innovations. 

• Ability to collaborate closely in project delivery, work winning and maintaining high levels of client satisfaction. 

• Knowledge of typical ground conditions interpretation/parametric assessment and correlation methods applicable to common geotechnical design problems. 

• Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. 

• Effective networking capabilities in local, regional, and national markets to promote the AECOM brand as a preferred consulting partner. 

• Insightfulness, the ability to recognise opportunities and challenges and make informed decisions. 

• Passion for developing team members to be the next generation of talented engineers and leaders. 

• Previous experience in a similar role with leadership responsibilities. 

• Clean driving licence. 

• Candidates should be willing to travel throughout Ireland and on occasions within the UK. 

Additional Information

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity 

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long-term condition, who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role. Please let us know using this email address [email protected]  if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.