Engineering Branch Manager

ECS Group of Companies; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

ECS Limited in Knoxville is seeking an experienced Engineering Branch Manager to lead the office, oversee engineering projects, staff, business development, and daily operations for the branch. The role requires strong leadership, deep geotechnical know-how, and a proven ability to manage budgets, client relationships, and safety standards while driving growth for the branch.

Responsibilities include assembling project teams, reviewing designs, mentoring staff, and promoting ECS values to

Qualifications

• 10+ years of technical and managerial experience.
• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong business acumen with P&L experience.
• Excellent project management and organizational abilities.
• Committed to safety and engineering excellence.
• Knowledge of local/regional engineering climate preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage multidisciplinary engineering projects, including geotechnical and construction materials projects.
• Assemble project teams and provide leadership throughout the full project lifecycle.
• Oversee project financials, resource allocation, schedules, and deliverables.
• Ensure quality control, safety standards, and engineering best practices are maintained.
• Perform technical review of engineering designs, drawings, plans, and specifications.
• Pursue new business opportunities through networking, proposals, and client relationships.
• Manage branch budgets, forecasts, hiring, and staff development.
• Promote company values, culture, and high employee engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Relationship-building

P&L management

Project management

Safety and quality

Staff development

Education

BS in Civil Engineering (ABET-accredited, geotechnical)

MS in Civil Engineering (geotechnical)

Job description

ECS Limited is seeking an experienced engineering leader to manage our Knoxville office. As the Engineering Branch Manager, you will oversee engineering projects, staff, business development, and day-to-day operations for the branch.

Responsibilities

• Manage multidisciplinary engineering projects including geotechnical and construction materials projects.
• Assemble project teams and provide leadership throughout the full project lifecycle.
• Oversee project financials, resource allocation, schedules, and deliverables.
• Ensure quality control, safety standards, and engineering best practices are maintained.
• Perform technical review of engineering designs, drawings, plans, and specifications.
• Pursue new business opportunities through networking, proposals, and client relationships.
• Manage branch budgets, forecasts, hiring, and staff development.
• Promote company values, positive culture, and high employee engagement.

Required Experience & Skills

• 10+ years of technical and managerial experience.
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong business acumen with P&L experience.
• Excellent project management and organizational abilities.
• Committed to safety and engineering excellence.
• Knowledge of local/regional engineering climate preferred.

Required Education & Certifications

• BS in Civil Engineering from an ABET accredited college/university with a concentration in geotechnical engineering.

Preferred Education & Certifications

• MS in Civil Engineering with geotechnical emphasis.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Professional Geologist (PG) preferred; If unlicensed, ability to obtain licensure within six months of hire required.

ECS Group of Companies (ECS) was founded in 1988 with the goal to raise the standards of professional engineering consulting. Today, we are a leader in geotechnical, construction materials, environmental and building science + infrastructure consulting services. We are employee-owned with more than 3,200 employees in 125 offices and testing facilities coast to coast. ECS is currently ranked #60 in Engineering News-Record's Top 500 Design Firms (April 2026), #148 in Engineering News-Record's Top 200 Environmental Firms (October 2025) and #38 in Zweig Group's Hot Firm List (June 2026). For additional information about ECS, visit: www.ecslimited.com.

ECS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To learn more, click here.