Department Manager - Geotechnical

UES; Medley (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

UES is seeking a Geotechnical Department Manager to lead the Miami geotechnical practice, driving technical excellence and profitable growth. You will oversee a multidisciplinary team of engineers and technicians, manage budgets, and coordinate with other departments to deliver high-quality investigations and designs.

You will guide business development, build client relationships, and ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements in a fast-paced consulting environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering.
• PE license required.
• Minimum 5 years of related experience.
• Minimum 1 year of experience leading a department.
• Experience with lab testing, soil mechanics, and foundation design.

Responsibilities

• Lead the geotechnical department in the Miami region, overseeing technical excellence, financial performance, and growth.
• Mentor and manage a team of geotechnical engineers, technicians, and support staff.
• Develop departmental goals, strategies, and policies aligned with growth targets.
• Oversee daily operations, allocate resources, and ensure on-time, within-budget project delivery.
• Lead business development and client relationship growth for geotechnical services.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Client relations

Geotechnical engineering

Project management

QA/QC

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Job description

Who We Are

At UES, we’re a team of more than 4,000 engineers, scientists, geologists, inspectors, technicians, and drillers united by a shared purpose—to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. As a national leader in geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, and materials testing and inspection, we collaborate on transformative projects across transportation, energy, water, healthcare, and more. Learn more about the benefits of joining Team UES and our core values at careers.teamues.com.

We are seeking an experienced Geotechnical Department Manager to lead and expand our Miami operations while overseeing a diverse portfolio of geotechnical projects throughout South Florida.

This is an exciting opportunity for a technical leader who thrives in a fast-paced consulting environment and is looking to make a significant impact on major infrastructure, commercial, industrial, and residential developments.

What You’ll Do

As the Geotechnical Department Manager, you will be responsible for the overall leadership, technical excellence, financial performance, and growth of the geotechnical practice in the Miami region.

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of geotechnical engineers, technicians, and support staff.
• Develop departmental goals, strategies, and policies aligned with organizational objectives and growth targets.
• Oversee daily department operations, ensuring resources are allocated effectively and projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Foster a positive, collaborative work culture that promotes innovation, problem-solving, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor and improve departmental performance using key performance indicators (KPIs) and regular assessments.
• Manage staffing levels, hiring, onboarding, training, and professional development for team members.
• Plan and oversee geotechnical investigations, including site assessments, soil testing, and foundation design studies.
• Coordinate with other departments (civil, environmental, structural) to integrate geotechnical input into overall project designs.
• Act as the primary client contact, managing relationships and ensuring satisfaction with geotechnical services.
• Prepare and review technical reports, proposals, and budgets for geotechnical projects.
• Ensure quality control of deliverables and address client concerns promptly.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant local, state, and federal regulations governing geotechnical engineering practices.
• Maintain adherence to industry standards (ASTM, AASHTO, etc.) and best practices.
• Conduct QA/QC reviews of technical reports, fieldwork, and laboratory testing.
• Stay current with industry trends, technologies, and regulations to ensure innovative and compliant solutions.
• Lead business development initiatives, including identifying opportunities, preparing proposals, and growing the client base.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to develop strategic plans for geotechnical service growth.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients, architects, developers, and contractors to foster long-term partnerships.
• Monitor market trends, competitors, and new technologies to support departmental innovation and competitiveness.
• Develop and manage the department’s budget, ensuring cost-effective operations and profitability.
• Monitor project budgets and timelines, adjusting as needed to meet business objectives.
• Review financial reports and provide input on resource allocation and profitability.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or a related field
• Professional Engineer (PE) licenserequired
• Minimum of 5 years of related experience
• Minimum 1 year of experience leading a department
• Previous experience developing and executing initiatives to improve gross margin, EBITDA/Operating profit and overall department profitability.
• Experience in geotechnical laboratory testing, soil mechanics, and foundation design
• Familiarity with emerging geotechnical testing technologies, such as in-situ testing or data analytics
• Valid Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record (per company standards)