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Gemma Harfield

Senior Recruitment Partner at Astute People Ltd
4.72
from 127 reviews
Jobs
Associate/Associate Director - Geotechnical / Geo-Environmental
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent

Astute’s Nuclear team is working with a leading geo-environmental consultancy recognised for delivering sustainable, practical solutions to the built environment. We’re recruiting for an Associate / Associate Director – Geotechnical / Geo-Environmental, based in Peterborough, with flexible hybrid working.

This Associate / Associate Director role offers a salary of £65,000 to £72,000, alongside flexible working, structured progression, and the opportunity to shape the future of land development and remediation projects across the UK.

If you’re an experienced geotechnical or geo-environmental consultant with proven leadership skills — and you’re looking to take a strategic role in a respected and growing consultancy — we’d love to hear from you.

Responsibilities and Duties of the Associate / Associate Director – Geotechnical / Geo-Environmental role

Reporting to the Regional Director, you will:

  • Manage and oversee site investigations, contaminated land assessments, and environmental risk assessments

  • Design and implement remediation strategies to mitigate contamination risks

  • Provide high-quality technical leadership on soil and groundwater analysis, pollutant linkages, and regulatory compliance

  • Lead multi-disciplinary project teams, ensuring delivery to scope, budget, and timescales

  • Build strong relationships with clients, regulators, and stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes

  • Produce and review technical reports including Phase I and Phase II assessments, remediation method statements, and validation reports

  • Contribute to business development by writing tenders, supporting bids, and identifying new opportunities for growth

  • Mentor and support junior staff, helping to shape the next generation of consultants

Professional Qualifications

We are looking for someone with the following:

  • A relevant degree in Environmental Science, Geology, or a related discipline

  • Extensive consultancy experience (8+ years), ideally at Senior, Principal, or Associate level

  • Strong track record in managing land contamination and remediation projects

  • Excellent working knowledge of UK contaminated land regulations

  • Chartered (or working toward) status with a relevant body (e.g. CEnv, CGeol, CSci)

  • Demonstrable experience in client engagement, business development, and project delivery

  • Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and mentor colleagues

Personal Skills

The Associate / Associate Director role would suit someone who is:

  • Commercially astute with excellent client-facing skills

  • Passionate about delivering pragmatic, sustainable solutions

  • Collaborative, supportive, and committed to team success

  • Excited by a leadership role combining technical delivery with business growth

  • Motivated to make a long-term impact within a growing consultancy

Salary and Benefits of the Associate / Associate Director – Geotechnical / Geo-Environmental role
  • £65,000 – £72,000 depending on experience

  • Employer-matched pension scheme

  • Life assurance cover

  • 25 days annual leave + bank holidays + 2 volunteering days

  • Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 support)

  • Healthcare cashback plan (including 24/7 GP access)

  • Enhanced parental leave and family-friendly policies

  • Electric car salary sacrifice scheme & Cycle to Work scheme

  • Clear long-term career development opportunities within a nationwide consultancy


Geo-Environmental / Geotechnical Senior Consultant
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent

Astute People are working with a well-regarded environmental consultancy delivering innovative geo-environmental and geotechnical solutions to recruit a Consultant or Senior Consultant – Geo-environmental / Geotechnical, based in Bristol.

This Consultant or Senior Consultant – Geo-environmental / Geotechnical role offers a salary of £30,000–£45,000, depending on experience, with hybrid working, hands-on site involvement, and exposure to nationally significant development projects across the South West and Midlands.

If you’re a motivated geo-environmental or geotechnical professional ready to lead site investigations and contribute to sustainable land and infrastructure solutions, submit your CV to apply today.

Responsibilities and duties of the Consultant – Geo-environmental / Geotechnical role

Reporting to a senior member of the geoscience team, you will:

  • Organise and deliver intrusive site investigations, sample collection, and environmental monitoring

  • Conduct land contamination assessments, analysing chemical and geotechnical testing results

  • Produce high-quality Phase 1 & Phase 2 reports with clear, practical recommendations

  • Act as site supervisor during ground investigations and liaise with contractors and suppliers

  • Maintain a strong awareness of environmental and geotechnical legislation and standards

  • Coordinate multiple small to medium-scale projects, ensuring budgets, deadlines and quality standards are met

  • Communicate effectively with clients, stakeholders, and internal technical teams

  • Support junior colleagues through mentoring and knowledge-sharing

  • Uphold Health & Safety standards in all site and office-based activities

Professional qualifications

We are looking for someone with the following:

  • A degree in a relevant subject: Geo-Environmental, Geology, Earth Science, Civil Engineering, or similar

  • Prior experience in a geo-environmental or geotechnical consultancy role

  • Strong understanding of ground investigation techniques, contamination assessments, and relevant UK guidance

  • Excellent data interpretation and technical report-writing skills

  • Experience managing or coordinating fieldwork

  • A full UK manual driving licence (essential for local site access)

  • Willingness to travel across the South West and Midlands, within ~2 hours of Bristol base

Personal skills

The Consultant / Senior Consultant – Geo-environmental / Geotechnical role would suit someone who is:

  • Practical, proactive, and confident working both in the field and in technical reporting

  • Eager to contribute to impactful environmental and infrastructure projects

  • A clear communicator with a collaborative mindset

  • Ready to support and guide junior colleagues while managing their own workload

  • Interested in career progression, chartership, and personal development

Salary and benefits of the Consultant – Geo-environmental / Geotechnical role
  • Consultant: £30,000–£35,000

  • Senior Consultant: £40,000–£45,000

  • 25 days holiday + bank holidays (option to buy/sell additional leave)

  • Hybrid and flexible working options

  • Matched pension scheme

  • Career development and chartership support

  • Mentorship from experienced consultants

  • Involvement in exciting regional infrastructure and renewable energy projects

  • Wellbeing support and employee discounts across retail, travel, and fitness

  • Volunteering and community action opportunities


Commercial Manager
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent

Scaffold Designer - HPC
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent
Astute’s Nuclear team is partnering with the leading provider of nuclear support services in the UK to recruit a Scaffold Designer for its Bridgwater location. The Scaffold Designer role is essential to the planning stages of the project and comes with a potential package over £80,000 which includes a base salary of £58,000, 10% uplift and accommodation allowance. If you’re a Temporary Works or Scaffold Designer and are looking to work for an organisation that puts integrity and people at the forefront of everything they do, then submit your CV to apply today.                 Responsibilities and duties Reporting to the Senior Design Engineer you will:  
  • Be responsible for the design and adherence of design during the erection of temporary works for the specified scope of works on site.
  • Use AutoCAD and other software to produce drawings and models
  • Carry out calculations in line with current standards, utilising structural analysis software where required.
  • Follow site processes and procedures, producing documentation which meets the CDM regulations.
  • Work with the wider team to ensure the best possible solution is utilised.
  • Support the wider team with advise and guidance on technical matters when needed
  • Always adhere to site H&S and best practice recommendations
  • Any other duties as required
Professional qualifications We are looking for someone with the following:  
  • HNC or higher in civil, mechanical or structural engineering
  • At least 3 years of experience in a similar role
  • Experience in major projects or nuclear sector is highly desirable
Personal skills The Scaffold Designer role would suit someone who is:  
  • Capable of prioritising workload in a fast-paced environment
  • Able to problem solve and have a solution focused mindset
  • Capable of working to own initiative and self-motivated  
Salary and benefits of the Scaffold Designer role  
  • Salary of £58,000
  • Potential accommodation allowance of £1,400 per month
  • 10% Salary uplift
  • Paid travel
  • Plus, many more benefits
   

Sales Executive
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent
Astute’s Nuclear team is exclusively partnering with Ludlum Systems, a leading radiometric protection provider, to recruit a Technical Sales Executive to drive sales of all products in the UK market, specifically targeting the medical and pharmaceutical sectors, scrap and recycling industries, industrial Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), universities and security. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of radiation physics and be able to develop and maintain key relationships with clients across these diverse markets. The Technical Sales Executive will play a key role in driving revenue growth, expanding market presence, and enhancing brand visibility.  The role comes with a salary of £45,000, up to 10% annual bonus, £6,000 car allowance and more. If you’re a Technical Sales Executive and are looking to work for an organisation that believes their people are the key to success, then upload your CV to apply today.                     Responsibilities and duties: As the Sales Executive you will:  
  • Develop and implement a sales strategy to achieve revenue targets in the medical and pharmaceuticals market, scrap and recycling sectors, industrial NDT, academic institutions, security.
  • Identify and prioritise target clients, understand their needs, and tailor product offerings to provide the best solutions.
  • Act as the main point of contact for these customers, providing excellent service, resolving issues, and ensuring customer satisfaction.
  • Engage in active business development activities to expand the company's presence and drive sales growth
  • Prepare regular sales reports, forecasts, and market feedback to inform decision-making and strategy development.
  • Provide technical guidance and product demonstrations to customers to showcase the benefits and features of our offerings.
  • Develop a deep understanding of the company's product range and its applications in various sectors.
    Professional qualifications: We’re looking for someone who can bring either proven sales ability or strong technical expertise to this role. There are two routes to fit:
  • You may have a background in sales — ideally within the nuclear industry or related sectors such as medical, pharmaceuticals, recycling, industrial NDT, security, or government — with at least a basic understanding of radiation physics.
  • Or you may be a technician or engineer with hands-on experience in radiometric instrumentation and a solid knowledge of radiation physics, now ready to move into a more client-facing position.
Whichever route you come from, what matters most is the ability to quickly understand complex products and services, and communicate them with confidence to clients. This is a home-based role with regular travel across the UK to meet clients, attend industry events, and represent the company at trade shows and exhibitions. You’ll need to be eligible for Security Clearance, and experience in Radiation Protection or Health Physics would be an advantage. If you’re looking for a role where you can combine your technical knowledge with client interaction, and play a key part in a growing business, we’d love to hear from you.     Personal skills The Mechanical Fitter role would suit someone who has:
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly and confidently
  • Strong relationship-building skills, focused on developing and maintaining long-term client partnerships
  • Self-motivated and well-organised, able to manage a home-based role with regular UK travel
  • Curious and eager to learn, with the ability to quickly grasp new technical knowledge and apply it in client conversations
    Salary and benefits of the Technical Sales Executive role
  • Salary of up to £45,000
  • £520 pm car allowance
  • 10% annual bonus
  • Internal and external training provided
  • 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
  • Company progression

 


Demolition Commercial Manager
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent

Demolition Commercial Manager

Berkshire

Salary up to £65,000 + £4,800 car allowance

 

Introduction

Astute are partnered with a long established, independent, family-owned business who offer services from Demolition to Plant Hire and Agricultural Contracting. Our client is looking for a Commercial Manager with experience in Demolition projects, or interest in progressing their career into Demolition.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a progressive business with some exciting projects in the pipeline and continuous investments made.

 

Roles & Responsibilities

As the Demolition Commercial Manager, you will be responsible for:
  • Manage and complete PQQ‘s for tenders. Visit site to establish site constraints etc, that may affect pricing strategy.
  • Responsible for procuring competitive quotations, analysing results, and producing finalisation documents. Explore and present innovative techniques to reduce cost.
  • Consolidate individual contract reports into monthly management accounts, working with finance department
  • Forecast and manage cash flow through submission and agreement of applications and final accounts. Consider/negotiate material/subcontractor costs, and cost allowances.

 

Skills & Qualifications

We are looking for someone with the following:
  • Degree in Quantity Surveying or the equivalent is preferable
  • Knowledge of relevant demolition (or construction, with a view to developing demolition) health and safety policies and procedures
  • Estimator/QS experience
  • Must possess excellent organisational skills, meeting deadlines, plan and prioritise workloads
  • Prepare commercial reports including Cost Value Reconciliations and cash flows
  • Experience with pricing and winning work as an Estimator/Bid Manager is desirable

Salary & Package

What’s on offer for this exciting role:

  • Very competitive salary & package on offer
  • Car allowance
  • 20 days holiday plus BH, increasing over two years of service
  • Opportunity to work within a family-owned environment

 

How to Apply

If you are interested in this position, please send a CV and Cover Letter to [email protected] or ring 02392 288 209 and ask to speak to Gemma Harfield who can tell you more.

Senior Service Engineer
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent
Astute’s nuclear team is retained by HTSL Group who are looking for Senior Service Engineer to work on site at Aldermaston. The Senior Service Engineer role comes with a salary of up to £70,000 per annum. As a Senior Service Engineer, you will be responsible for maintaining, servicing, installing, and commissioning radiometric and dosimetry systems. If you’re a Senior Service Engineer and are looking to work for an organisation that puts integrity and people at the forefront of everything it does, then submit your CV to apply today. Responsibilities and duties Reporting to the Service Manager you will:  
  • Perform routine maintenance and calibration of various instruments at customer sites.
  • Provide breakdown support for a range of instruments, sometimes within 24 hours.
  • Install and commission new systems at customer sites.
  • Diagnose and troubleshoot faulty equipment, perform repairs as needed.
  • Keep accurate records of all work, including data sheets and project files.
  • Be the main technical contact for customers, handling any queries or issues.
  • Act as a representative, promoting the products and services when engaging with customers.
  • Assist the sales team by providing support for quotes.
Professional qualifications We are looking for someone with the following:  
  • Experience working with nuclear instrumentation and/or radiometric physics.
  • Previous experience in mechanical or electronics work.
  • Ability to read and understand both mechanical and electrical drawings.
  • Experience with mechanical fitting and electrical wiring.
  • Ability to repair electronics at the component level.
  • A technical qualification in engineering, electronics, or a related field (preferred but not essential).
Salary and benefits of the Senior Service Engineer role  
  • Salary up to £70,000 DOE
  • Car allowance
  • Pension contribution, life assurance and other benefits
   

Technical Engineer
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent
Astute are partnered with a long-established and reputable company specialising in the service, maintenance and repair of waste handling and recycling equipment. Due to continued growth, our client is looking for a Technical Engineer to join their team, covering customers within an approximate 100-mile radius of Dartford. This is a hands-on field-based role, combining service engineering responsibilities with technical support, training, and product expertise across the wider engineering team. As a Technical Engineer, you will play a key role in ensuring equipment reliability while acting as a point of contact for technical guidance across the business. Responsibilities and duties of the Technical Engineer role As the Technical Engineer, you will be:  
  • Covering a regional patch (~100-mile radius from Dartford), travelling up to 100 miles per day
  • Servicing, maintaining, and repairing:
    • Compactors and balers
    • Scissor lifts
    • Dock levellers and associated waste handling equipment
  • Diagnosing faults and delivering first-time fixes where possible
  • Carrying out breakdown response and planned maintenance
  • Producing quotations for repairs and additional works
  • Providing remote technical support via phone or video to other engineers
  • Supporting training and development of engineers in product knowledge and best practices
  • Working safely with 3-phase electrics and hydraulic systems
  • Collaborating effectively with the wider team both on-site and remotely
  • Occasional overnight stays and out-of-hours work as required
Professional qualifications We are looking for someone with the following: •           Strong experience with 3-phase electrics (essential) •           Good understanding of hydraulic systems (preferred) •           Background in maintenance, service, or field engineering •           Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings and schematics •           Competent in fault finding across electrical and mechanical systems •           Experience working on industrial or heavy equipment is advantageous Personal Skills The Technical Engineer role would suit someone who is: •           Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive approach •           Ability to work independently and support others •           Good communication skills for both customer interaction and internal support •           Flexible and adaptable to meet business and client needs •           Willingness to travel and occasionally stay away from home Salary and benefits of the Technical Engineer role •           Starting salary circa £45,000 per annum (~£17.50 per hour) •           Overtime and out-of-hours payments •           Company bonus: £500 per quarter •           Performance-related incentives and attendance bonuses •           Company van and mobile phone provided •           20 days annual leave + bank holidays (increasing with service) •           Full training and ongoing development •           OTE: Realistic earnings of £50,000+ per annum #LI-GH1 INDNUC

Senior Mechanical Engineer
CONTRACT
  • TERMS: contract
  • START DATE: 2/3/25
  • END DATE: 2/16/26
  • PAY RATE: $55.0 /HR
Astute’s Nuclear team is partnering with a leading company working within the Nuclear Engineer sector, currently require a Senior Mechanical Engineer to join their team in Oxford. The ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge and practical application of mechanical engineering within highly regulated sectors and possess security clearance.    The position sits outside IR35, paying around £50-£55 per hour and will start with a 12 month contract. Suitable candidates will ideally work in their Oxfordshire sites on a hybrid basis, however if further away, applications will still be considered. If you’re a Senior Mechanical Engineer and are looking to work for an organisation that believes their people are the key to success, then upload your CV to apply today.                   Responsibilities and duties As a Senior Mechanical Engineer you will work in a hands-on design-based position to deliver and design engineering solutions. This will involve:
  • Delivery of mechanical engineering scope to satisfy the technical specification
  • Potential to lead teams for the full project lifecycle, including Specification, Design, Procurement, Supply/Manufacture Liaison, Installation, Acceptance Testing, Commissioning and Operator Training in Nuclear Engineering Projects
  • Production of and approval of deliverables throughout the delivery process
  • Checking/approval of discipline specific engineering deliverables
  • Contribution to engineering and safety reviews
  • Ensuring quality and prompt delivery of documentation throughout all phases of the project lifecycle
  • Compliance with safety legislation and statutory regulations
  • Develop cost effective technical solutions
  • Provide technical consultancy
    Professional qualifications We are looking for someone with the following:  
  • Strong understanding of the fundamentals within your engineering discipline
  • Previous experience of working within the nuclear industry (this is desirable but not essential if transferrable skills are demonstrated)
  • Proven track record of successfully delivering mechanical engineering solutions within a highly regulated industry
  • Working knowledge of plant layout, set up, installation and alignment of plant, equipment and machinery for works test, integrated test, site installation and commissioning
  • Understanding of the requirements to support safety led designs and associated regulatory compliance
  • Good understanding of wider industry safety legislation and statutory regulations
  • Understanding of modern delivery practices, for example BIM compliance, RIBA/BSRIA design delivery stage gates, etc
  • Strong organisational and interpersonal skills
  • Good level of commercial awareness
  • Experience of leading design teams
    Personal skills The Senior EC&I Engineer role would suit someone who has:  
  • DV security clearance or the ability to go through the vetting process.
    Salary and benefits of the Senior Mechanical Engineer role  
  • £50 - £55 an hour
  • 12-month contract
INDNUC

Flood Risk & Drainage Consultant
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent

Astute’s Environmental team is working with a well-established and forward-thinking consultancy delivering high-quality environmental services across the UK to recruit a Flood Risk & Drainage Consultant, based in Leeds, London, or Manchester with flexible hybrid working available.

This Flood Risk & Drainage Consultant role offers a salary of £30,000–£35,000, along with flexible working, structured development support, and the opportunity to work on nationally significant planning and infrastructure projects.

If you’re a flood risk or drainage professional looking to grow your technical and commercial experience in a supportive and ambitious team, submit your CV to apply today.

Responsibilities and duties of the Flood Risk & Drainage Consultant role

Reporting to the Water Services Lead, you will:

  • Prepare Flood Risk Assessments, Drainage Strategies, and other planning support documents

  • Contribute to SuDS design and prepare technical drawings and drainage plans

  • Assist with due diligence reviews for investors and developers, offering practical risk mitigation advice

  • Analyse and present spatial data using GIS tools (e.g., QGIS)

  • Collaborate with planning and environmental teams across the business

  • Contribute to projects in related areas such as nutrient neutrality and climate risk assessments

  • Work towards professional accreditation and broaden your technical capabilities

Professional qualifications

We are looking for someone with the following:

  • A degree in Geography, Environmental Science, Civil Engineering or a similar field (or equivalent experience)

  • Around 2–4 years of experience in flood risk or drainage consultancy

  • Familiarity with UK planning policy, SuDS principles, and relevant environmental legislation

  • Experience using QGIS or similar GIS software

  • Strong communication skills and attention to detail

  • Eagerness to develop professionally and contribute to a team environment

Personal skills

The Flood Risk & Drainage Consultant role would suit someone who is:

  • Passionate about delivering sustainable water management solutions

  • Self-motivated, organised, and comfortable with client interaction

  • Interested in a varied role with technical and commercial growth opportunities

  • Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively

  • Keen to work on meaningful projects that support planning and sustainability goals

Salary and benefits of the Flood Risk & Drainage Consultant role
  • £30,000–£35,000 depending on experience

  • 25 days holiday + bank holidays (option to buy/sell additional leave)

  • Company-matched pension scheme

  • Hybrid and flexible working arrangements

  • Chartership and CPD support

  • Employee wellbeing programme

  • Discounts across fitness, travel, retail and entertainment

  • Opportunities to volunteer and engage with community initiatives