Geotechnical Department Manager

ECS Group of Companies; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

ECS Group of Companies in Detroit is seeking an experienced Geotechnical Department Manager to lead our geotechnical engineering team, manage projects and staff, ensure technical quality, and contribute to business development.

You will oversee budgets, forecasts, and client engagement, set team goals, and promote a positive culture with high engagement. A BS in Civil or Geological Engineering is required; MS geotechnical preferred; PE/PG licensure is a plus.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of civil/geotechnical engineering experience.
• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Extensive technical knowledge of geotechnical engineering concepts and applications.
• Proven track record of budgets, forecasts, and P&L responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full lifecycle of geotechnical engineering projects.
• Lead a team of geotechnical engineers, geologists, project managers, and technicians.
• Ensure projects adhere to geotechnical best practices, safety standards, and quality control procedures.
• Perform technical review of proposals, reports, and calculations.
• Track department budget, revenue, forecasts, and financial performance.
• Set goals for the geotechnical group and develop staff skills through training initiatives.
• Assist senior staff with business development through community involvement and client engagement.
• Promote company values, positive culture, and high employee engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Relationship-building

Budgeting/Forecasting

Business development

Geotechnical engineering

Education

BS in Civil or Geological Engineering (ABET accredited)

MS in Civil Engineering (geotechnical emphasis) preferred

Job description

ECS Limited is seeking an experienced Geotechnical Department Manager to lead our geotechnical engineering team in our Detroit office. In this critical role, you will manage projects and staff, oversee quality control and technical standards, contribute to business development, and help drive overall department success.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full lifecycle of geotechnical engineering projects.
• Lead a team of geotechnical engineers, geologists, project managers, and technicians.
• Ensure projects adhere to geotechnical engineering best practices, safety standards, and quality control procedures.
• Perform technical review of proposals, reports, and calculations.
• Track department budget, revenue, forecasts, and financial performance.
• Set goals for the geotechnical group and develop staff skills through training initiatives.
• Assist senior staff with business development efforts through community involvement and client engagement.
• Promote company values, positive culture, and high employee engagement.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in civil/geotechnical engineering.
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Extensive technical knowledge of geotechnical engineering concepts and applications.
• Proven track record of managing budgets, forecasts, and P&L responsibilities.
• Business development experience engaging clients and winning projects.
• Knowledge of geotechnical conditions and construction industry.

Required Education & Certifications

• BS in Civil Engineering or Geological Engineering from an ABET accredited college/university.

Preferred Education & Certifications

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

Military Qualifications

• The following US Military ranks will qualify for this position IF they also meet the education, certification, and licenses requirements from the above section titled "Required Qualifications":
• E-6/E-7/O-2/O-3

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 facilities consulting services. We are employee-owned with more than 3,000 employees in 100+ 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 #50 in Zweig Group’s Hot Firm List (May 2025). For additional information about ECS, visit: www.ecslimited.com.

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