Geotechnical Principal

ECS Group of Companies; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

ECS Group of Companies in Baton Rouge, LA seeks a Geotechnical Principal to provide top-level technical leadership, ensuring project quality, strategic direction, and client relations. You will mentor staff, drive business development, and oversee regional technical execution while maintaining ECS core values.

The role requires extensive geotechnical expertise, strong leadership, and proven ability to sign off on reports and calculations.

Qualifications

• 12 years of related geotechnical experience.
• Bachelor and/or Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geology, or similar.
• A PE or PG license is required in each state of work.
• Valid driver’s license if driving for ECS subsidiary.
• Established reputation as a geotechnical technical expert.
• Strong regional client relationships and revenue growth.
• Advanced technical expertise across geotechnical disciplines.
• Proven leadership and organizational decision-making ability.
• Experience in project management, risk management, and consulting.
• Ability to perform final technical reviews of reports and calculations.
• Understanding of regional geologic conditions.
• Proficiency with geotechnical analysis software.
• Ability to mentor senior staff and future leaders.
• Strong financial and operational awareness.
• ECS Senior Technical Staff policies compliance.

Responsibilities

• Provides technical expertise and oversight across geotechnical projects.
• Performs final technical review and approval of reports, calculations, and deliverables.
• Ensures quality, accuracy, and consistency of technical output across projects and teams.
• Oversees project performance at a strategic level and intervenes on complex issues.
• Mentors Associate Principals, Senior Project Managers, and emerging leaders.
• Supports and leads business development efforts and client relationships growth.
• Reviews and approves proposals, contracts, and major project decisions.
• Contributes to departmental and regional financial performance (P&L awareness).
• Participates in staffing decisions, recruiting, and team development.
• Represents the firm as a technical expert in industry and community.
• Participates in organizational leadership initiatives and technical committees.
• Performs other leadership and technical duties as assigned.

Skills

Client relationships

Leadership

Mentoring

Business development

Project oversight

Education

B.S./M.S. in Civil or Geology engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) or Professional Geologist (PG) license

Tools

Geotechnical analysis software

Job description

The Geotechnical Principal serves as the highest level of technical leadership within the geotechnical practice, responsible for ensuring overall quality, performance, and strategic direction of projects and services. This role provides final technical authority, oversees regional technical execution, and drives business development and client relationships at the highest level. The Geotechnical Principal operates as a subject matter expert, mentor, and leader while maintaining a positive customer service attitude and demonstrating ECS Core Values.

Responsibilities

• Provides technical expertise and oversight across geotechnical projects
• Performs final technical review and approval of reports, calculations, and deliverables
• Ensures quality, accuracy, and consistency of technical output across projects and teams
• Oversees project performance at a strategic level and intervenes on complex or high-risk issues
• Mentors Associate Principals, Senior Project Managers, and emerging leaders
• Supports and leads business development efforts and client relationship growth
• Reviews and approves proposals, contracts, and major project decisions
• Contributes to departmental and regional financial performance (P&L awareness)
• Participates in staffing decisions, recruiting, and team development
• Represents the firm as a technical expert in the industry and community
• Participates in organizational leadership initiatives and technical committees
• Performs other leadership and technical duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• 12 years of related experience
• Bachelor and/or Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geology, or similar is required
• A professional Engineer (P.E.) or Professional Geologist (P.G.) license is required in each of the state(s) in which you work
• If driving for or on behalf of any ECS subsidiary, a valid driver's license is required.
• Established reputation as a technical expert in geotechnical engineering
• Strong regional or multi-regional client relationships
• Proven success in business development and revenue growth
• Advanced technical expertise across geotechnical engineering disciplines
• Proven leadership and decision-making capability at an organizational level
• Strong business development and client relationship skills
• Extensive experience in project management, risk management, and consulting
• Ability to perform and sign as the final technical review of reports and calculations
• Strong understanding of regional geologic conditions and industry challenges
• Proficiency with advanced geotechnical analysis software
• Ability to mentor senior technical staff and future leaders
• Strong financial and operational awareness
• Professional training programs as required in the ECS Senior Technical Staff Policies and Procedures

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-8+

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.