Design Engineer [B&C][Geotech]

Join Network Rail in Bristol Temple Point for a permanent, full-time opportunity as a Design Engineer - Geotechnical. This role offers flexible working patterns and the potential to work from the St Patricks House office in Cardiff.

About the Role

On an average day, you'll be shaping and managing engineering proposals from the early development stages through to detailed design, making sure they are safe, sustainable, and cost-effective. You'll work closely with colleagues, contractors, and stakeholders to develop and assess design options, ensuring compliance with standards while balancing safety, performance, and environmental impact. Your role will involve reviewing technical data, supporting cross-discipline checks, and applying lessons learned from across the rail network. You'll also play a key part in monitoring progress, managing change, and supporting construction design management, ensuring every scheme is well-prepared to move forward smoothly and deliver lasting value.

The work will largely be regionally based, however there will be the requirement to work on other schemes across the wider Network. Site-based activity include supervision of investigations, supervision of construction activities, assessment of existing earthworks and structures with input to change control of construction works.

The team delivers both single-discipline and multidisciplinary projects, working closely with colleagues across Engineering Services Design, including Track, Signalling, Civils & Structures, Buildings & Architecture, and M&E. Together, we contribute to complex regional and national projects, delivering innovative, award-winning solutions that enhance efficiency and improve risk management. Whether acting as the Contractors Responsible Engineer or supporting the Principal Designer under CDM regulations, you'll help drive engineering excellence from early feasibility through to detailed design.

About the Team

Engineering Services is a function within Route Services, providing national skills and activities to enable regions and industry partners to deliver the railway. As a large central functional team focused on engineering delivery, we have many roles, ranging from pure engineering to project management. We design and influence every part of the railway, including structures, track, traction power, level crossings, signalling and accessibility schemes.

The Geotechnical & Drainage Team provides support for planned, emergency and reactive projects and works collaboratively with clients and delivery teams. The types of projects the team delivers include earthworks (embankments and cuttings), rock slopes, new stations, ground investigations, and foundation design and assessment. The team has access to a full suite of software for assessment of slope stability, foundations and piles, retaining walls, settlement analysis, and drainage design, including Rocscience software, WALLAP, and Bentley and Autodesk suites.

Your Experience and Skills

We're looking for a skilled and motivated Design Engineer - Geotechnical with a strong background in civil or structural engineering design, preferably within the rail or infrastructure sector. You'll need to be confident working to Network Rail standards, able to manage multiple design tasks, and collaborate effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders. A recognised engineering qualification is essential, along with a commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Essential Criteria:

• An engineering degree or equivalent industry-recognised training qualification.
• A demonstrable aptitude for option development.
• Strong evaluation and decision-making skills.
• A working knowledge of rail engineering; relevant successful experience working in the principal discipline and an adequate understanding of all other related disciplines.
• An ability to work and communicate effectively in a team context.
• An appreciation of all the life cycle stages of rail infrastructure.
• CDM, Risk assessment and external audit competency.

Desirable Criteria:

• Membership of a relevant engineering professional institution.
• Experience in design, installation and maintenance.
• Formal qualifications in risk identification and assessment.
• Six Sigma Green Belt.

Additional Information

Network Rail offers 28-day annual leave with the option to buy and sell days, choice of pension schemes, 75% discount on leisure travel, private healthcare, 5 days paid volunteer or carers leave, up to 75% subsidised rail and underground travel, and access to gyms across the UK. Our My Benefits platform provides national and local retail discounts.

Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.