Geotechnical Senior Engineer - Transportation

Terracon; Concord (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Terracon is seeking an experienced Geotechnical Transportation professional to join our Northern and Central California teams. You will lead field investigations, engineering analyses, and report development for transportation projects, with opportunities across East Bay, Lodi, or Sacramento locations.

The role involves supervising complex investigations and mentoring team members. Required are a Bachelor's in Engineering, 8–11 years of experience, PE licensure, and DOT project exposure.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering is required.
• 8–11 years of engineering experience is required.
• PE registration is required; master’s degree is preferred.
• DOT transportation project experience is required.
• Terracon Authorized Project Reviewer status is required.
• A valid driver’s license may be required.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety efforts and ensure compliance with safety rules and guidelines.
• Promote continuous quality monitoring on projects.
• Conceptualize the initial design/investigative approach for a major phase of a large project.
• Plan, schedule, and coordinate engineering work involving conventional and complex features.
• Provide technical review of reports and supervise investigations and recommendations.
• Lead technical training and make informed decisions based on state-of-the-art technology.

Skills

Project leadership

Safety leadership

Quality assurance

Technical communication

Engineering analysis

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree in Engineering (preferred)

Professional Engineer (PE) registration

Job description

General Responsibilities:

Terracon has a fantastic opportunity to join our growing Geotechnical Transportation practice. This group works on transportation projects all across Northern and Central California. Because of this, the position can be filled out of our East Bay, Lodi or Sacramento locations! In this role you will provide engineering and consulting services for transportation projects and clients. This may include performing and/or leading field investigations, engineering analysis, calculations, and recommendations, design and development of plans and specifications, observation and inspection, and the writing, preparation, and review of related reports for the services provided. Review drawings and construction to assure compliance with plans and specifications. Prepare proposals and cost estimates, track and evaluate project progress, budgets, and recommend changes. Research and resolve design and construction problems. Assign, review, and evaluate laboratory or field data for inclusion in reports. Apply sound engineering principles and be able to communicate complex engineering issues and concepts to technical and non-technical clients and project teams. Services may be provided for existing or proposed projects in the transportation sector. Examples of the work required include:

• Development of Site Characterization reports to include a geotechnical/geological narrative of site conditions along the alignment for purposes of identifying difficult ground conditions and/or project risks.
• Providing geotechnical design recommendations and supporting documentation for earthwork, considering planned cuts/fills, for purposes of estimating construction quantities, assessing potential impacts to existing or planned project improvements and providing design/construction guidance.
• Geotechnical design recommendations and supporting documentation for bridge and wall foundations (shallow and deep).
• Geotechnical analysis to support retaining wall recommendations for individual retaining structures or for groups of retaining structures with the same general conditions (i.e. height, subgrade conditions, geometry, etc.). All analyses should be performed in accordance with code requirements.

Required analyses will include:

• External stability analysis (bearing resistance, sliding, overturning, eccentricity)
• Settlement analyses (short-term, total, rate)
• Rotational stability
• Identify geotechnical risk items that may adversely impact design and/or construction costs/schedules.

Essential Roles and Responsibilities:

• Lead safety efforts for the team and ensure the team follows safety rules and guidelines.
• Promote continuous quality monitoring and improvement on projects.
• Responsible for conceptualizing the initial design and/or investigative approach for a major phase of a large project or have overall responsibility for the engineering work on a project of moderate scope.
• Plan, schedule, conduct, and/or coordinates engineering work involving conventional engineering practices but may include a variety of complex features such as conflicting design requirements.
• Provide review of projects requiring complex and innovative investigation techniques and supervise the analysis and formulation of recommendations in written reports to clients; provides technical review of reports.
• Lead technical training and make informed decisions based upon state‑of‑the‑art technology issues.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
• Minimum 8-11 years’ experience.
• Master’s degree in Engineering preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE) registration.
• Transportation experience with DOTs is required.
• A valid driver’s license with acceptable violation history may be required.

Required Qualifications:

• Terracon Authorized Project Reviewer status required.