The deep job cuts will see 1,200 lay-offs from its 26,000 workforce and will deliver annual savings of around £60m.

They come after several years of corporate expansion, including the take-over of UK consultant Halcrow in 2011.

It is believed the UK workforce now stands around 2,500, after an earlier round of UK job cuts following the acquisition.

CH2M Hill, which helped to deliver the London 2012 Olympics, said that over the past several years, the corporate structure and overhead had grown in anticipation of growth that did not materialise.

It said the ‘right-sizing’ of its overhead structure would impact on all global operating units.

In the UK, CH2M Hill is working on High Speed 2, Crossrail, Thames Tideway and nuclear decommissioning.

CEO Jacqueline Hinman said: “From time to time, good companies adjust their businesses to the needs of their clients, their markets, and their aspirations.

“We’re staying true to our values, and channeling the courage and passion our founders had for building a unique company, run by its employees, into the work ahead so we can continue to deliver on our purpose: to lay the foundation for human progress by turning challenges into opportunities.”

Hinman added, “we continue to win significant new work and deliver excellent work for our clients every day.

“We intend to retain our industry-leading position and provide long-term, sustainable growth that benefits our clients, employees and stockholders.”