Job Description:

🚨 TUNNELLING GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER REQUIRED - EXETER 🚨

📍 Location: Exeter, Devon
🏗️ Sector: Tunnelling | Geotechnical Engineering | Energy Infrastructure
🤝 Engagement: Contract / Consultancy Basis

MUST BE LOCATED IN THE REGION

We are seeking an experienced Tunnelling Geotechnical Engineer to provide specialist technical advice, guidance and geotechnical expertise on a significant energy infrastructure project in Exeter.

This is an opportunity for an experienced professional to play an important advisory role during the planning, feasibility and contractor selection stages of a technically challenging underground engineering scheme.

🔍 THE PROJECT

The project involves evaluating several potential underground construction methods, including:

🔹 Thrust bore tunnelling - approximately 750m
🔹 Minimum 1,500mm internal tunnel diameter
🔹 HDD (Horizontal Directional Drilling)
🔹 HDD crossings beneath watercourses
🔹 Deep shaft construction - up to 14m
🔹 Cofferdams, excavation support and temporary works
🔹 Underground district heating infrastructure

🛠️ THE ROLE

The successful consultant will be expected to:

✅ Review available ground investigation reports, geological information and geotechnical data.

✅ Assess ground conditions, groundwater risks and their implications for tunnelling and shaft construction.

✅ Provide independent technical advice on proposed tunnelling and trenchless construction methodologies.

✅ Review contractor scopes of work, technical submissions and budgetary quotations.

✅ Identify potential geotechnical risks, omissions and assumptions that could result in additional costs or programme delays.

✅ Advise on shaft stability, excavation support, groundwater control and ground treatment requirements.

✅ Provide practical recommendations to support contractor selection and project delivery.

🎯 THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

We are particularly interested in speaking with engineers who have:

🔹 Extensive geotechnical experience within tunnelling and underground construction.

🔹 Knowledge of microtunnelling, pipe jacking, thrust boring and/or HDD.

🔹 Experience with deep shafts, temporary works and complex ground conditions.

🔹 Previous involvement in major infrastructure, utilities, water or energy projects.

🔹 Experience providing technical assurance, reviewing contractor proposals or working in an independent consultancy capacity.

🔹 The ability to identify engineering risks and provide commercially practical recommendations.

Chartered Engineer status (CEng) or relevant professional accreditation would be advantageous.

💡 THIS IS A TECHNICAL ADVISORY OPPORTUNITY

We are not looking for a traditional site-based engineer. We are looking for an experienced specialist who can bring genuine technical knowledge, sound engineering judgement and practical tunnelling experience to the project.

📩 INTERESTED?

If you are an experienced Tunnelling Geotechnical Engineer, Principal Geotechnical Engineer or Independent Engineering Consultant, I would welcome a confidential discussion.

📞 (phone number removed)
📧 (url removed)

Alternatively, send me a direct message to discuss the opportunity.

Search is an equal opportunities recruiter and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified applicants, regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age