Principal Geotechnical Engineer

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

Shape the ground beneath some of Australia’s most significant infrastructure projects

AECOM’s Ground Engineering and Tunnelling team is growing, and we're looking for an experienced Principal Geotechnical Engineer to join our Sydney team. This is an opportunity to play a key role in the delivery of major transport, water, energy and underground infrastructure projects across Australia and New Zealand, while collaborating with some of the industry's leading geotechnical and tunnelling specialists.

As part of a globally connected team, you'll work across the full project lifecycle — from planning and ground investigations through to detailed design, technical advisory and construction support. You'll also have the opportunity to influence project outcomes, contribute to winning new work, and mentor the next generation of geotechnical engineers.

What you'll do

In this role, you will provide technical leadership and project delivery support across a diverse portfolio of geotechnical and tunnelling projects. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams, clients and contractors to develop practical, technically robust solutions for complex ground engineering challenges.

Your responsibilities are likely to include:

• Delivering geotechnical design and advisory services across major infrastructure projects
• Developing ground models and interpreting complex geotechnical datasets
• Preparing and reviewing technical reports, specifications and proposals
• Managing project scope, budgets, schedules and delivery outcomes
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships
• Supporting business development activities and contributing to winning new work
• Mentoring and developing early-career engineers and engineering geologists
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary design teams to integrate geotechnical solutions into broader project outcomes

We're interested in hearing from

You will be an experienced geotechnical professional who enjoys solving complex engineering problems, leading project delivery and developing others.

Ideally, you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent
• 10+ years of post-graduate experience in geotechnical engineering
• Postgraduate qualifications in Geotechnical Engineering (highly regarded)
• Strong understanding of soil and rock mechanics principles
• Experience interpreting geotechnical investigations, developing ground models and deriving design parameters
• Experience delivering geotechnical solutions across civil infrastructure projects
• Strong report writing, communication and stakeholder management skills
• Experience working within multidisciplinary project environments
• Familiarity with geotechnical software including finite element analysis, slope stability packages, OpenGround and Leapfrog
• Current driver's licence and willingness to undertake occasional travel

Why you'll love working with us

• Flexible work arrangements including alternative start and finish times, job-sharing and hybrid work options
• Purchase up to 6 weeks additional annual leave
• Volunteer and representation leave
• Flex public holidays

Come grow with us

At AECOM, you'll join one of the world's leading infrastructure consultancies, working on projects that shape cities, connect communities and support the transition to a more sustainable future.

Our Ground Engineering and Tunnelling team is involved in some of the region's most complex and technically challenging projects, providing opportunities to deepen your expertise, broaden your experience and work alongside recognised industry leaders. Backed by our global network of technical specialists, you'll have the support and resources to continue growing your career while delivering meaningful outcomes for clients and communities.

Whether you're looking to expand your technical leadership, take on larger project responsibilities or contribute to major infrastructure programs, there's never been a better time to join AECOM.

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.

AECOM acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we, our clients and our communities live and work around Australia. We pay our respects to their cultures and to their Elders — past, present, and emerging. We are committed to connecting to Country in our work through meaningful engagement with First Nations peoples and businesses.  Find out more about our Australian Reconciliation Action Plan here: https://aecom.com/au/our-vision-for-reconciliation/.

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 culture of equity, diversity and inclusion – 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 and benefits programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We also provide a robust global well-being program. 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.