Site Engineer

JOB SPECIFICATIONSite Engineer – Earthworks & Civil Engineering

Location: North East England
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Sector: Earthworks / Groundworks / Civil Engineering
Salary: Competitive salary and benefits package, dependent on experience
Reporting To: Site Manager / Project Manager

About the Role

An established and reputable earthworks contractor operating throughout the North East of England is seeking an experienced and motivated Site Engineer to join its growing operational team.

The company has an excellent reputation for delivering high-quality bulk earthworks, groundworks, site preparation and civil engineering projects for a range of clients across the construction and infrastructure sectors.

This is an excellent opportunity for a technically competent and proactive Site Engineer to join a well-established business with a strong pipeline of work and opportunities for long-term career development.

The successful candidate will be responsible for setting out, surveying, quality control and providing technical support to site operations, ensuring that works are delivered safely, accurately and efficiently in accordance with project specifications and programme requirements.

Working closely with Site Managers, Project Managers, plant operators and subcontractors, the Site Engineer will play a key role in the successful delivery of earthworks and associated civil engineering projects across the region.

Key Responsibilities

Setting Out & Surveying

• Carry out accurate setting out for bulk earthworks, cut-and-fill operations, drainage, foundations, roads and associated civil engineering works.

• Undertake topographical surveys, site level surveys and as-built surveys using GPS/GNSS equipment, robotic total stations and other surveying instruments.

• Establish and maintain site control points, benchmarks and survey reference systems.

• Interpret construction drawings, specifications, digital terrain models and engineering information.

• Undertake pre-start and post-completion surveys to establish existing and finished ground levels.

• Carry out volumetric surveys and earthworks quantity calculations to monitor excavation, filling and material movements.

• Support the preparation and verification of machine control models for GPS-guided earthmoving plant.

Earthworks Engineering & Technical Support

• Provide day-to-day engineering support to earthworks operations, ensuring works are undertaken in accordance with approved drawings and specifications.

• Monitor cut-and-fill operations, formation levels, gradients, slopes and earthworks profiles.

• Assist with the implementation and monitoring of earthworks strategies, including material classification, reuse and disposal.

• Work closely with site management to optimise earthmoving operations, material movements and site logistics.

• Liaise with geotechnical engineers and testing laboratories regarding material suitability, compaction testing and ground conditions.

• Identify and resolve technical issues arising during construction.

• Ensure accurate records are maintained for earthworks quantities, material movements and completed works.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Ensure all works are carried out in accordance with approved construction drawings, specifications and relevant industry standards.

• Undertake regular inspections of earthworks, formation levels, drainage installations and associated civil engineering works.

• Coordinate and monitor material testing, including compaction testing, plate bearing tests and other specified geotechnical testing.

• Maintain accurate quality assurance records, inspection and test plans, survey information and as-built documentation.

• Identify non-conformances and work with site management to implement corrective actions.

• Assist with the preparation of handover documentation and project completion records.

Health, Safety & Environmental Management

• Promote a positive health, safety and environmental culture across all site activities.

• Ensure engineering activities comply with company procedures, site-specific requirements and relevant legislation.

• Assist with the preparation and implementation of risk assessments and method statements.

• Identify potential hazards associated with earthworks operations, excavations, underground services and moving plant.

• Support the implementation of environmental controls relating to dust, noise, surface water, silt management and material handling.

• Work closely with site management to ensure safe and efficient working practices are maintained.

Site Coordination & Project Support

• Work closely with Site Managers, Foremen and plant operators to ensure engineering requirements are clearly communicated and implemented.

• Assist with daily planning, progress monitoring and coordination of site activities.

• Monitor completed quantities and provide accurate information to the commercial and project management teams.

• Liaise with clients, consultants, subcontractors and other stakeholders as required.

• Maintain accurate site records, survey data, progress reports and technical documentation.

• Support the identification of potential design issues, programme constraints and opportunities for improved efficiency.

Candidate Requirements

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Previous experience working as a Site Engineer within the earthworks, groundworks or civil engineering sector.

• Proven experience setting out and surveying on construction sites.

• Competence in the use of GPS/GNSS surveying equipment and total stations.

• Good understanding of bulk earthworks operations, cut-and-fill procedures, formation levels and site preparation works.

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, construction specifications and survey information.

• Experience undertaking topographical surveys, as-built surveys and level checks.

• Good understanding of construction quality assurance procedures and site documentation.

• Strong awareness of health, safety and environmental requirements within the construction industry.

• Excellent organisational, communication and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a wider site delivery team.

• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable Experience & Qualifications

• HNC/HND or degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering or a related discipline.

• Experience working directly for a specialist bulk earthworks contractor.

• Knowledge of Trimble, Leica or Topcon surveying systems.

• Experience using GPS machine control systems and producing or checking 3D earthworks models.

• Competence in AutoCAD, Civil 3D, LSS or other surveying and earthworks modelling software.

• Experience carrying out volumetric calculations and earthworks quantity reconciliation.

• Knowledge of soil classification, compaction requirements and earthworks testing procedures.

• Familiarity with the Specification for Highway Works, particularly Series 600 Earthworks.

• Experience working on large-scale industrial, commercial, residential or infrastructure developments.

• Valid CSCS card.

• SSSTS qualification or other relevant site safety training.

Key Skills & Personal Attributes

We are looking for a practical, enthusiastic and technically capable Site Engineer who enjoys working in a fast-paced construction environment.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong technical ability: A sound understanding of setting out, surveying and earthworks engineering principles.

• Accuracy and attention to detail: The ability to maintain high standards of engineering accuracy and quality control.

• A proactive approach: The confidence to identify potential issues early and provide practical solutions.

• Good communication: The ability to work effectively with site management, machine operators, clients and subcontractors.

• Commercial awareness: An understanding of how accurate surveys, material movements and quantity records contribute to project profitability.

• Organisational skills: The ability to manage engineering priorities across multiple activities and projects.

• Teamwork: A collaborative and flexible approach to supporting site operations.

• Commitment to safety: A strong focus on safe working practices and maintaining high site standards.

Working Arrangements

The position will involve working on earthworks and civil engineering projects throughout the North East of England, including Northumberland, Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland, Durham, Teesside and surrounding areas.

The successful candidate will be expected to travel between project sites as required and work closely with the company's established operational and engineering teams.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to join an established and respected earthworks contractor.

• A competitive salary and benefits package, dependent on experience.

• Company vehicle or vehicle allowance, subject to package.

• Pension scheme and annual leave entitlement.

• The opportunity to work on a varied portfolio of earthworks and civil engineering projects.

• A supportive working environment with an experienced management team.

• Long-term career stability and opportunities for professional development.

• Potential progression into Senior Site Engineer, Site Agent or Site Management positions.

The Ideal Candidate

We are particularly interested in candidates who have gained practical experience working on bulk earthworks and groundworks projects and who are confident using modern surveying equipment.

The successful individual will be comfortable working alongside site management and plant operators, taking ownership of setting out, survey control, earthworks quantities and quality assurance.

Experience with GPS machine control, 3D earthworks models, volumetric surveys and cut-and-fill operations would be particularly advantageous.

Above all, we are seeking a reliable, hardworking and technically competent Site Engineer who can make a positive contribution to an established earthworks business and help deliver projects safely, efficiently and to a high standard.

How to Apply

If you are an experienced Site Engineer looking for a long-term opportunity with an established earthworks contractor in the North East of England, we would welcome your application.

Please submit your CV detailing your relevant engineering experience, qualifications and previous earthworks or civil engineering projects.