Associate Geotechnical Engineer - Dams & Reservoirs

Job Description

Overview

Due to an expanding project portfolio, we are seeking an experienced Associate Geotechnical Engineer to lead the delivery and growth of our dams and reservoirs capability. This is an exciting opportunity for a technically strong engineer with extensive experience in the design, assessment and rehabilitation of earth embankment dams, reservoirs and water-retaining structures. Some of our flagship projects include Fens, Lincs, Broad Oak and Havant Thicket reservoirs.

As an Associate, you will provide technical leadership across a portfolio of dam engineering projects, support strategic client relationships, mentor multidisciplinary teams, and contribute to the continued growth of our water and geotechnics business.

Working across the UK and internationally, you will play a key role in helping clients manage dam safety risks, improve asset resilience and deliver sustainable infrastructure solutions. You will also contribute to the development of future engineering talent and help strengthen our reputation for technical excellence in dam and reservoir engineering.

Your role

As an Associate Geotechnical Engineer, you will lead project delivery, provide technical oversight, support business growth and develop engineering capability across the dams and reservoirs practice.

Technical Leadership & Project Delivery

• Lead the delivery of dam and reservoir engineering projects from concept through construction.
• Provide technical oversight for geotechnical assessments, design reviews and dam safety evaluations.
• Lead the design, assessment and rehabilitation of:
• Earth embankment dams.
• Reservoir infrastructure.
• Flood defence embankments.
• Dam rehabilitation and raising schemes.
• Seepage mitigation measures.
• Foundation improvement works.
• Drainage and filter systems.
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams and coordinate geotechnical inputs across major infrastructure projects.
• Support Reservoir Panel Engineers and contribute to dam safety inspections, statutory assessments and risk evaluations.
• Lead technical reviews and quality assurance of reports, calculations and design deliverables.
• Promote best practice in dam engineering, geotechnical design and risk management.

Client & Business Development

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, regulators and key stakeholders.
• Support business development activities, framework opportunities and proposal preparation.
• Contribute to strategic planning and the growth of the dams and reservoirs business.
• Support the development of long-term client relationships and repeat business opportunities.
• Represent the business through technical excellence, professional engagement and collaborative project delivery.

Leadership, Mentoring & Team Development

• Act as a mentor and trusted adviser to graduate, assistant, engineer and senior engineer level staff.
• Provide day-to-day guidance on technical analysis, engineering judgement and project delivery.
• Support career development through coaching, constructive feedback and performance development.
• Contribute to graduate development programmes and support engineers working towards Chartership (CEng).
• Share knowledge through technical training, workshops, lunch-and-learn sessions and communities of practice.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen technical capability across the dams and reservoirs team.
• Support resource planning and provide meaningful development opportunities for junior engineers.
• Encourage innovation and the adoption of new tools, analytical methods and digital engineering approaches.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and technical excellence.

About you

We are looking for a recognised technical leader with a passion for dam engineering and geotechnical excellence. You will combine strong engineering judgement with excellent communication skills, commercial awareness and a collaborative leadership style. You will be motivated by solving complex technical challenges, developing people and helping grow an industry-leading dams and reservoirs practice.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Engineering Geology or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) with a recognised professional institution.
• Significant experience in consultancy or infrastructure delivery with a strong focus on earth dams and reservoir engineering.
• Demonstrable experience leading geotechnical and dam engineering projects.
• Proven ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and client relationships.
• Strong commercial awareness and project management capability.

Technical Expertise

Strong understanding of:

• Embankment dam design.
• Seepage and internal erosion assessment.
• Piping and filter design.
• Foundation assessment and treatment.
• Slope stability and deformation analysis.
• Dam safety and risk management principles.
• Software & Digital Capability.
• Geotechnical Analysis.
• GeoStudio Suite (Seequent).
• SLOPE/W, SEEP/W and SIGMA/W.
• PLAXIS 2D and/or PLAXIS 3D.
• Finite element analysis.
• Embankment deformation assessment.
• Construction staging analysis.
• Rocscience Software.
• Slide2 / Slide3 and RS2.
• Engineering Data & Design Tools.
• Microsoft Excel and advanced engineering calculations.
• Ground investigation data interpretation and management.
• AutoCAD and Civil 3D.
• ArcGIS or QGIS.
• OpenGround or equivalent geotechnical data management platforms.

Desirable Experience

• Working with Reservoir Panel Engineers or Inspecting Engineers.
• Reservoirs Act projects and statutory undertakings.
• Dam rehabilitation and safety improvement programmes.
• Instrumentation and performance monitoring interpretation.
• HEC-RAS and hydraulic modelling software.
• International dam and embankment projects.
• Team leadership and business growth initiatives.

Personal Attributes

• Strong technical and engineering judgement.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Collaborative and inclusive leadership style.
• Commitment to mentoring and developing others.
• Passion for technical excellence, innovation and continuous learning.
• Ability to balance technical, commercial and client priorities effectively.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Rewards and benefits – Careers at AtkinsRéalis

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.

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Worker Type

Employee

Job Type

Regular

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.