As a Senior Geotechnical Engineer, you will play a key role in delivering high-impact geotechnical and performance-based design projects. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead, mentor, and grow a team engaged in some of our most advanced analytical work. You’ll collaborate proactively with internal and external partners to develop innovative solutions to complex geotechnical challenges, contributing to the technical direction of the group.
A strong background in seismic design and earthquake engineering is essential. You’ll take ownership of key project activities, including developing conceptual and numerical models, managing project schedules, writing technical reports, supporting client relationships, coordinating subsurface exploration programs, and overseeing construction observation. Your leadership will help drive the group’s long-term technical development and elevate the sophistication of our performance-based design capabilities.
Typical projects span complex geotechnical applications, including liquefaction and seismic slope stability evaluations, ground improvement design, and dynamic nonlinear deformation analyses of temporary and permanent shored excavations in dense urban environments alongside a steady mix of conventional geotechnical engineering work. From foundations and retaining structures to earthwork, pavements, and construction-phase support, you’ll contribute across the full spectrum of our practice. While responsibilities vary by project, leadership, technical rigor, and collaborative problem-solving will remain at the core of your work. This role can be performed out of our Seattle, San Diego, or Redmond office.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Leads project management activities, including developing budgets and scopes, client billings, field report reviews, preparing proposals, contract reviews, and coordinating with Principals and Associates to ensure effective execution of multiple projects.
- Serves as a senior technical resource in numerical modeling and nonlinear deformation analysis. Provides guidance to project teams and offers expertise on complex geotechnical and performance-based design challenges.
- Develops advanced conceptual and numerical models, including dynamic and static analyses, liquefaction and lateral spreading evaluations, and soil-structure interaction assessments.
- Reviews and oversees deliverables from staff and mid-level engineers, including calculations, analyses, and field reports, providing clear direction and feedback to support high-quality work.
- Mentors and develops junior staff, offering leadership across technical skill-building, project execution, and consulting best practices.
- Participates in business development, including identifying new opportunities, maintaining client relationships, and attending conferences or professional association meetings.
- Leads or coordinates subsurface exploration programs and construction-phase activities, collaborating closely with contractors and field staff and maintaining alignment with project requirements and safety protocols.
- Prepares high-quality technical documentation, including reports, figures, and tables that require minimal revision.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering required; Master’s degree or a PhD in Geotechnical Engineering preferred.
- 6+ years of experience with dynamic numerical modeling or related professional experience required.
- PE license required.
- Strong proficiency with FLAC, PLAXIS, and related tools, including experience with dynamic soil-structure interaction and nonlinear deformation modeling.
- Demonstrated ability to evaluate seismic hazards such as ground response, liquefaction, lateral spreading, and seismic slope instability.
- Proven leadership, mentorship, and team-building skills.
- Strong proactive responsiveness and the ability to meet tight deadlines in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
- Professional-level verbal and written communication skills.
Physical Requirements/Work Environment
- All candidates are subject to completing a background check, and reference check.
- Ability to perform a wide range of physical activities and do heavy work including exerting up to 50 pounds of force on occasion.
- Ability to perform consistent work on a PC with prolonged sitting and view of a monitor/screen.
- Ability to travel for short-term and long-term assignments as needed.
- All employees are responsible for conducting their work in a safe manner. This includes identifying potential safety hazards and reporting them to the designated project manager in a timely manner and participating in project safety briefings. This also includes wearing appropriate safety equipment when working in the field and completing all required health & safety training prior to beginning fieldwork.
Our best estimate of the salary range for this position, located in Seattle, Redmond, WA, or San Diego, CA is $111,400 – $167,000 annually. Compensation offered will be based on a variety of individual factors, including education and experience, as well as internal equity. GeoEngineers’ salary ranges are reviewed and updated each year and employees are eligible for pay increases based on individual performance. As part of our competitive total rewards package, employees in this role may also be eligible for our annual year-end bonus offering, subject to program eligibility requirements.
At GeoEngineers, investing in our people is a top priority. In addition to competitive and equitable pay, we are proud to offer a wide range of benefits to support employees and their families, including healthcare (with travel benefit for care not locally available), 401(k) with company match, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, wellbeing benefits, paid vacation and sick time and paid holidays, among others. View our full listing of benefits here.
Our Commitment to Belonging at GeoEngineers
When people feel they can bring their whole selves to work, that they have a voice and are supported and respected, it creates trust and a feeling of belonging— employees then flourish, grow their careers, and do the best work of their lives. A culture of belonging allows our employees to thrive and our company to prosper. This is a journey, and we are committed to doing the work, learning and evolving as we go.
GeoEngineers is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances.
GeoEngineers is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or accommodation while seeking employment, please contact Human Resources at hr@geoengineers.com or by phone at (425) 861-6000. We will then make a determination regarding your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.
We welcome and encourage individuals from all backgrounds and experiences to apply for openings on our team. We would love for you to join us!
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