Geotechnical Senior Project Engineer - Transportation

ECS Group of Companies; Franklin (TN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

ECS Group of Companies is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to lead major infrastructure and transportation initiatives across the Southeast. The role balances technical design with high-level client management for DOT and large infrastructure programs.

You will direct embankment and foundation designs, oversee field explorations, and manage project budgets while guiding proposals and maintaining key DOT relationships. A PE license and 5+ years of experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Geological Engineering, or related field.
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license required; Professional Geologist (P.G.) may be acceptable in certain states.
• 5+ years of geotechnical and transportation engineering, with focus on design, project management, and leadership.
• Expertise in DOT Geotechnical Design Manual (GDM), AASHTO LRFD specifications, and geotechnical software.
• Proficiency in MicroStation preferred.
• Proven track record of leading technical reviews as a senior reviewer at a previous firm.
• Strong analytical, report-writing, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for a multidisciplinary team on geotechnical and construction materials testing projects.
• Direct embankment, retaining structure, and subgrade stabilization design using MicroStation and OpenRoads.
• Oversee geotechnical field explorations, including drilling and inspections.
• Serve as main contact for DOT project managers and stakeholders, ensuring deadlines are met.
• Oversee development of geotechnical reports and design packages with technical seals as needed.
• Manage project budgets and resources to deliver on time.
• Lead business development by identifying opportunities and guiding technical proposals.
• Maintain relationships with DOT, agencies, and Tier 1 consultants to stay a preferred partner.
• Ensure deliverables and field operations comply with DOT, AASHTO, and ASTM standards.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical

Report writing

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Civil Engineering / Geotechnical Engineering (Bachelors or Masters)

Tools

MicroStation

gINT

LPile

APile

MSEW

FB-Pier

GRLWEAP

Job description

ECS is actively hiring Senior Geotechnical Engineers to lead major infrastructure and transportation initiatives across the Southeast. This role is designed for a technical leader who can balance complex engineering design with high-level client management for DOT and other large-scale infrastructure programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leading support for a multidisciplinary team of engineers, technicians, and designers on geotechnical and construction materials testing (CMT) projects.
• Direct the design of embankments, retaining structures, and subgrade stabilization, deep and shallow foundations using MicroStation and OpenRoads software.
• Oversee and plan geotechnical field explorations, including drilling, test pits, and inspections as needed.
• Act as the primary point of contact for DOT (or other agency) project managers and external stakeholders, ensuring technical requirements and deadlines are met for multiple concurrent major programs.
• Oversee the development of geotechnical engineering reports and design packages, providing technical seal as needed.
• Manage project budgets and resource allocation for on-time delivery for infrastructure deliverables.
• Execute business development strategies by identifying regional opportunities and leading the technical portion of proposal submissions.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key decision-makers at the DOT, municipal agencies, and Tier 1 prime consultants to ensure ECS remains a preferred partner.
• Ensure all technical deliverables and field operations maintain 100% compliance with NCDOT, AASHTO, and ASTM standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Geological Engineering, or related field
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license required; Professional Geologist (P.G.) license may be acceptable in certain states
• 5+ years of experience in geotechnical and transportation engineering, with a focus on design, project management, and technical leadership
• Expertise in DOT Geotechnical Design Manual (GDM), AASHTO LRFD specifications, and geotechnical software (e.g., gINT, LPile, APile, MSEW, FB-Pier, GRLWEAP)
• Proficiency in MicroStation is preferred
• Proven track record of leading technical reviews and serving as a senior technical reviewer at a previous firm
• Strong analytical, report-writing, and communication skills
• Demonstrate initiative and leadership in problem-solving and decision-making
• Valid driver’s license required for travel on behalf of ECS

Military Qualifications

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

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), #144 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms (October 2026) 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.