Graduate Geotechnical Engineer

We are looking for a Graduate Geotechnical Engineer to join our Ground Engineering team in Leeds, London or Bath.

Be Challenged

From the first appraisal of a site, through to the completion of construction, safety and economy are our goals. Buro Happold's ground engineering team provides clients with expertise that spans structural, building, civil and environmental engineering. We operate an integrated ground engineering approach where geotechnical engineers, geoenvironmental engineers, and engineering geologists, work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams throughout the UK and across the world including the US and Middle East. 

From the earliest stages of your projects, you can be assured of our capability in managing all aspects of ground engineering. This includes geotechnical design for all forms of building and civil engineering structures, understanding the geological settings and addressing contaminated land issues. 

What sort of projects would I work on?

The work the Ground Engineering team undertakes is diverse in terms of scale, location, development type, and the point at which we are engaged through the life of the project. We strive to ensure that our graduates have the opportunity to work across a varied portfolio of projects to broaden their skills during the early stages of their career.

Recent projects the team has been involved with include the new Everton Stadium, Battersea Power Station, and Compton & Edrich Stands at Lords.

What would I do?

You will be expected to develop a secure understanding of ground behaviour including response to structural load changes. 

Our work spans the full range of ground-related activities from outline schemes through site investigation, foundation design, and construction. A typical day could involve any or all of the following; 

• Desk-based assessments of the site geology, history, and possible constraints
• Identifying and specifying ground investigation requirements
• Engaging with ground investigation operations
• Interpreting ground investigation data to develop appropriate and realistic ground models for design
• Carrying out designs for a wide range of geotechnical elements, from domestic buildings through to major infrastructure
• On site supervision, direction and supporting construction operations.

You will be supported by other senior members of the team, but you will be expected to demonstrate appropriate self-sufficiency in their various tasks for each project. For example; 

• Undertaking geotechnical assessments and design
• Ensuring project work is carried out within agreed timescales and within budget
• Ensuring senior staff are informed of important and relevant design decisions and the objectives of the company and the client are achieved
• Coordinating work with other disciplines in the project team
• Under guidance of senior staff, representing Buro Happold at meetings with the client, other professionals and suppliers.

About you:

• MSc/MEng in Civil Engineering (or closely related) with a focus on geotechnical engineering
• Secure understanding of soil mechanics and geology and genuine enthusiasm for fundamental engineering and the environment
• Shows real interest in the projects being worked on, likes to understand where their contribution fits within the wider project context
• Actively engages with colleagues on work projects and sees the value of learning from and sharing knowledge with them. Apply academic learning to practical project situations
• Motivated and committed to your professional development including route to professional qualification
• An enthusiasm for engineering geology and the environment and a commitment to learning and developing knowledge in engineering geology and broader ground engineering expertise
• Strong numeracy skills, excellent ability to speak and write English fluently, and a logical and pragmatic approach to problem solving
• Flexibility to travel, including overnight stays on occasion, is essential, and a valid UK driving licence would be advantageous.

Graduates at Buro Happold

When you join Buro Happold you are embedded into an exciting network of engineers and consultants, that supports your career development. We have a Graduate Connect learning programme that targets specific learning and supports your journey to Chartership as well as our Young Employee's Forum that links all our young talent in terms of knowledge sharing, learning and very importantly socialising.

We place great importance on a having a safe and inclusive environment and will seek to make any arrangements that may be required to enable all who work with us to thrive. We have flexible working hours and hybrid working, and welcome applications from all backgrounds and walks of life. If you have any questions about how this could apply to your specific circumstances, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

A place for everyone

Buro Happold values an individual's flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of how you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers.

Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds, and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other’s differences is key, we want employees to feel they don’t have to mask elements of their identity to thrive.

We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We have much to learn from one another. Embracing differences allows us to develop the most innovative and elegant solutions.

Please note that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship now or in the future for all our roles, so candidates must have the right to work in the UK upon application.

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