Department Manager - Geotechnical

Ymfphilly; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

UES is seeking a Geotechnical Department Manager in Miami to lead and grow the geotechnical practice, overseeing technical excellence, budget performance, and client satisfaction. You will manage engineers, technicians, and staff, while coordinating with civil, environmental, and structural teams to deliver major infrastructure projects.

The role emphasizes mentoring, resource planning, and advancing innovative geotechnical methodologies, with a focus on profitability and regulatory compliance

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering and PE license.
• Minimum of 5 years of related geotechnical experience.
• Minimum 1 year of experience leading a department.
• Experience improving gross margin, EBITDA/operating profit and 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 acceptable driving record.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage the geotechnical department in the Miami region.
• Develop departmental goals, strategies, and policies aligned with growth targets.
• Oversee operations, allocate resources, and ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Foster a positive, collaborative culture emphasizing innovation and continuous improvement.
• Monitor KPIs and perform regular assessments of department performance.
• Manage staffing, onboarding, training, and professional development.
• Plan and oversee geotechnical investigations and foundation design studies.
• Coordinate with other departments to integrate geotechnical input into project designs.
• Act as primary client contact and maintain satisfaction with geotechnical services.
• Prepare and review technical reports, proposals, and budgets.
• Ensure QC of deliverables and address client concerns promptly.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and industry standards (ASTM, AASHTO).
• Lead business development, proposals, and growth of the client base.
• Develop strategic plans for geotechnical service growth with senior leadership.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Leadership

Project management

Budgeting / financial management

Client relationship management

Staff development

Technical reporting

Regulatory compliance

Interdepartmental collaboration

KPI tracking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil or 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)