Piling Design Engineer (VISA Sponsorship Available)Job type: Permanent, full-time
Location: Essex
Hours: 8:30am – 5pm, Monday to Friday
Salary: £60,000 – £75,000 depending on experience + Car/Car Allowance

While visa sponsorship can be offered, this role requires demonstrable experience in piling. As a result, applications from fresh graduates or candidates without prior piling experience will not be considered.
Company

Our client is an established and progressive piling and ground engineering contractor delivering a wide range of foundation and retaining wall solutions across the UK. Known for their technical capability and collaborative approach, the business supports complex construction projects by providing safe, practical, and commercially sound geotechnical solutions.

As part of continued expansion, they are now looking to appoint an experienced Piling Designer / Estimator to support their growing design and tendering workload.

Role

This position offers the opportunity to take ownership of piling design and estimating activities from early tender stage through to construction support. The role is primarily office-based and involves close collaboration with internal teams, consultants, and clients to develop technically robust and commercially competitive solutions.

The company is specifically seeking a capable and confident professional who already has relevant piling and ground engineering experience and can contribute immediately without the need for extensive training.

Key Responsibilities

• Designing and pricing embedded retaining wall systems, including contiguous and secant piled walls.
• Producing designs and estimates for bearing piles, including CFA, rotary bored, and other deep foundation solutions.
• Providing technical support and design checks for temporary works, such as working platforms and crane bases.
• Reviewing drawings, specifications, and ground investigation reports to inform design and pricing decisions.
• Developing practical, buildable, and cost-efficient tender solutions, incorporating value engineering where appropriate.
• Preparing detailed design calculations, estimates, and supporting technical documentation.
• Liaising with suppliers and subcontractors to obtain competitive pricing and technical input.
• Participating in internal design reviews and external meetings with clients and consultants.
• Supporting the preparation of method statements and design reports.
• Attending pre-tender and post-tender meetings as required.
• Monitoring market rates, construction methods, and regulatory changes within the piling sector.
• Assisting with budgeting, forecasting, and workload planning for upcoming projects.

Skills & Experience

• Demonstrable experience in a piling or ground engineering design and estimating role.
• Must be fluent in English language
• Strong technical understanding of piling systems, geotechnical design principles, and soil-structure interaction.
• Proven experience with retaining wall and deep foundation design.
• Competent user of WALLAP and OASYS; experience with Plaxis and/or Repute is beneficial.
• Confident working with estimating tools and Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to manage your own workload and work independently while contributing to a wider team.
• Clear and confident communicator, able to explain technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• A practical, commercially aware approach with a focus on constructability and efficient delivery.
• Strong ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and site investigation data.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing and forward-thinking business where your technical expertise will be valued and your input will directly influence project outcomes. You’ll work on varied and challenging projects, with the autonomy to make a real contribution to both design quality and commercial success.

If you’re looking to make your mark within a dynamic ground engineering environment, we’d be keen to hear from you.

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