Geotechnical Engineer (Dams Lead Engineer)

LVI Associates; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

LVI Associates is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer for dams in Seattle, WA or Portland, OR. You will lead geotechnical analyses, mentor engineers, and drive dam safety-focused design and performance assessments.

Ideal candidates bring 8+ years in geotechnical engineering, PE licensure, and strong leadership and client engagement skills, with preference for Pacific Northwest experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering; advanced degree preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• 8+ years geotechnical engineering experience.
• Strong experience with tunneling, dams or similar infrastructure.
• Experience in the Pacific Northwest is desirable.
• Strong communication, leadership and mentorship capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior-level oversight on geotechnical projects, focusing on dam safety.
• Lead advanced geotechnical analysis, design and evaluation efforts.
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers and contribute to team development.
• Support client relationships and contribute to proposals and presentations.

Skills

Leadership

Mentorship

Communication

Client engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering

PE license

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Senior Geotechnical Engineer - Dams - Seattle, WA or Portland, OR

Company Overview

A highly respected geotechnical engineering consultancy is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to join its team in the Pacific Northwest. The firm is widely recognized for its expertise in complex infrastructure projects, including tunneling, dams, and other critical earth and underground structures.

With a long-standing reputation for technical excellence and innovation, the organization offers engineers the opportunity to work alongside highly experienced senior professionals on challenging, high-impact projects across the region and beyond.

Position Summary

This is an opportunity for an experienced geotechnical engineer to step into a senior technical and mentorship role within a leading engineering practice. The position is ideally suited to someone with strong expertise in dam-related projects (dams, dam safety, levees), who is looking to play a key role in both project delivery and team development.

You will work closely with senior leadership while taking on increasing responsibility across technical direction, mentorship, and client engagement. The role offers a clear pathway toward Principal-level responsibilities, including opportunities for long-term ownership.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Provide senior-level oversight and input on complex geotechnical projects, particularly in dam safety engineering
• Lead advanced geotechnical analysis, design, and evaluation efforts
• Support technically challenging problem-solving across a range of infrastructure projects

Project Delivery

• Support or lead delivery of projects from design through execution
• Ensure high-quality technical outputs, including reports, analyses, and design recommendations
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on large-scale infrastructure programs

Mentorship & Team Development

• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers, supporting ongoing technical development
• Contribute to building a strong, knowledge-driven engineering team
• Partner with senior leadership on team growth and capability development

Client Engagement

• Support client relationships and contribute to business development efforts
• Participate in proposals, presentations, and pursuit strategies

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering (advanced degree preferred)
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required
• 8+ years of geotechnical engineering experience
• Strong experience in tunneling, dams, or similar geotechnically complex infrastructure
• Experience working in the Pacific Northwest is highly desirable
• Strong communication, leadership, and mentorship capabilities

Why This Role?

• Opportunity to work on high-profile tunneling and dam projects in the Pacific Northwest
• Direct collaboration with highly experienced senior technical leaders
• Clear path to Principal-level responsibilities and long-term leadership
• Strong mentorship culture with emphasis on technical excellence
• Ownership opportunities aligned with long-term growth and contribution

Location

Seattle, Washington or Portland, Oregon

Looking forward to meeting with potential candidates!