Principal Engineer

2 weeks ago

Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom National Highways Full time £46,030 - £52,120 per year

Job reference: 000371

Salary: PB6 - £46,030 to £52,120

Department: Operational Delivery

Location: Bristol (Brunel House)

Employment type: Permanent

Hours Per Week: 37

Job start date: 03/03/2026

Closing date: 31/12/2025

Job Description

Principal Engineer (Geotechnical)

Location: Bristol or Exeter

About the job

National Highways is offering an exciting opportunity for a Principal Engineering Geologist or Geotechnical Engineer to join our South West Operations Geotechnical team.

You'll work alongside the Geotechnical Engineering Team Manager to lead, inspire, and support a skilled team of engineers. Together, you'll tackle the complex challenges of managing geotechnical risks, setting priorities, and developing innovative early solutions for a wide range of geotechnical schemes. From earthworks and rock slopes to their interaction with drainage, structures, and other highway assets, you'll provide the specialist expertise and technical authority that underpins safe, resilient, and future-proof infrastructure.

You'll also influence how we advance geotechnical asset management, ensuring schemes meet the highest standards while driving continual improvement across the sector.

This is a hybrid position and can be based out of our Bristol or Exeter offices.

You will be required to drive as part of your role and you will need to have a full driving license with no more than 3 points to be considered for this position and during employment

Known internally as a Principal Geotechnical Engineer, you will:

  • Provide specialist technical expertise to identify risks and shape early solutions for renewals and improvement schemes, in line with agreed methodologies considering new techniques, materials, buildability and costs

  • Develop asset-specific management plans, that support with making decisions that align with policy and standards while delivering value for money and supporting business goals.

  • Identify, prioritise, and manage geotechnical asset needs in line with governance requirements (e.g. DMRB: CS641 and CD622) and to achieve business objectives.

  • Commission and oversee survey works to support asset improvements and renewals, reviewing and approving technical briefs, reports, specifications, drawings, and supporting information.

  • Champion the use of high-quality asset data by monitoring performance, driving innovation in data management, and guiding regional colleagues to maintain standards and integrity.

About you.

  • Degree and or Masters in relevant discipline, Higher National Diploma / Higher National Certificate with relevant experience, or equivalent experience.

  • Extensive, relevant, and demonstrable experience in ground engineering and infrastructure works. You should hold Chartered or Incorporated Membership of the Geological Society, ICE (or an equivalent professional body), or be able to demonstrate extensive equivalent experience to this level.

  • Demonstrable knowledge across relevant geotechnical standards, asset policies and strategies and risk management.

  • Principal Engineer

    1 week ago

    Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom Babcock International Group Full time £59,110 - £66,000 per year

    *HeaderYour Role*Applies Engineering concepts and theories to provide technical direction and leadership for the delivery of designs, calculations and technical solutions across a range of applications for Babcock products and services across the Engineering Product Lifecycle. Uses their experience to make decisions in complex situations. Able to work under...

  • Principal Process Engineer

    4 days ago

    Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom iO Associates Full time £42,000 - £114,000 per year

    **Principal Process EngineerBristol, UK12-month contract initiallyUp to £57 per hour Inside IR35SC cleared**iO Associates is seeking aPrincipal Clean Water Process Engineerto join a leading global engineering and digital consultancy delivering complex infrastructure, energy, and technology projects worldwide.You will lead process engineering on major UK and...

  • Principal Engineer

    2 weeks ago

    Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom Amazon Web Services (AWS) Full time £150,000 - £200,000 per year

    DescriptionPrincipal Engineers provide technical leadership at They help establish technical standards and drive Amazon's overall technical architecture, engineering practices, and engineering methodologies. They work on our hardest problems, building high quality, architecturally sound systems that are aligned with our business needs. They think globally...

  • Principal Mechanical Engineer Bristol

    2 weeks ago

    Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom cf834f2d-2451-47be-9225-0e42e7119ce9 Full time £40,000 - £70,000 per year

    Job Title: Principal Mechanical EngineerLocation: Stoke Gifford, Bristol + Hybrid Working ArrangementCompensation: Competitive Salary + BenefitsRole Type: Full time / PermanentAs a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you'll have a role that's out of the ordinary. You'll maintain the engineering configuration, ensuring the overall design intent and integrity is...

  • Principal Structural Engineer

    1 week ago

    Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom Babcock International Full time £60,000 - £80,000 per year

    Job Title: Principal Structural EngineerLocation: Stoke Gifford, Bristol or Plymouth, Devon + Hybrid Working ArrangementsCompensation: Up to £72,337 depending on experience + BenefitsRole Type: Full time / Permanent Role ID: SF64460At Babcock we're working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as a Principal...

  • Principal Mechanical Engineer Bristol

    6 days ago

    Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom Inter-Quest Full time £40,000 - £70,000 per year

    Location:Bristol, EnglandSalary:Market relatedCategoryMechanical EngineeringSector:Power, Nuclear and UtilitiesContract typePermanentConsultant:Julie LinegarJob Title: Principal Mechanical EngineerLocation: Stoke Gifford, Bristol + Hybrid Working ArrangementCompensation: Competitive Salary + BenefitsRole Type: Full time / PermanentAs a Principal Mechanical...

  • Principal Systems Engineer

    2 weeks ago

    Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom Babcock Full time £60,000 - £100,000 per year

    Job Title: Principal Systems Engineer Location: Bristol or Corsham + Hybrid Working Arrangements Compensation:      Competitive Salary + BenefitsRole Type: Full time / Permanent Role ID: SF65782 At Babcock we're working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as a Principal Systems Engineer at our...

  • Principal Engineer

    6 days ago

    Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom National Highways Full time £60,000 - £100,000 per year

    About the jobNational Highways is offering an exciting opportunity for a Principal Engineering Geologist or Geotechnical Engineer to join our South West Operations Geotechnical team.You'll work alongside the Geotechnical Engineering Team Manager to lead, inspire, and support a skilled team of engineers. Together, you'll tackle the complex challenges of...

  • Principal Analog IC Design Engineer

    2 weeks ago

    Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom IC Resources Full time £60,000 - £120,000 per year

    We are working with a leading UK silicon design company seeking a Principal Analog IC Design Engineer to join them in Bristol.For an Analog IC Design Engineer looking for interest and diversity in their work, this is a great opportunity. No two days are the same here, and the Principal Analog IC Design Engineer will have the chance to work on a diverse array...

  • Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

    1 week ago

    Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom Babcock International Group Full time £60,000 - £90,000 per year

    Job Title: Principal Mechanical Design EngineerLocation: Stoke Gifford, Bristol or Plymouth, Devon + Hybrid Working ArrangementsCompensation: From £59,000 negotiable depending on experience + BenefitsRole Type: Full time / PermanentRole ID: SF67040At Babcock we're working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your...