Lead Geotechnical Engineer

PND Engineers, Inc.; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical plans

Employer-paid dental

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Paid time off and holidays

401(k) profit-sharing retirement plan

Job summary

PND Engineers, Inc. seeks a licensed Professional Engineer with 12+ years of geotechnical practice to lead Anchorage-based teams on a variety of civil and structural projects.

You will supervise on-site soil testing, provide technical leadership for multiple Alaska locations, and mentor engineers through reviews and field/office coaching. You’ll prepare analyses for foundation systems, slope stability, permafrost/Arctic design, and marine/arctic structures, with travel across Alaska as needed.

Qualifications

• Master of science degree in Geotechnical Engineering or Civil Engineering with geotechnical focus; a bachelor’s degree with exceptional record may be considered.
• Twelve or more years of relevant geotechnical consulting experience with responsibility for project delivery, client contact, and technical review.
• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license; ability to obtain Alaska PE within six months if not licensed in Alaska.
• Experience with cold-regions foundation design and permafrost/arctic engineering preferred.
• Strong writing and oral communication skills; ability to produce and review clear technical reports; writing samples may be requested.
• Willingness to travel within Alaska and other regions as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small Anchorage-based geotechnical engineering team and on-site soil testing lab supporting diverse civil and structural projects.
• Provide technical support and review for Alaska locations and the Lower 48.
• Direct and provide day-to-day technical leadership for geotechnical groups on assigned work.
• Mentor junior to mid-level engineers through formal reviews and field/office coaching.
• Support hiring and development of geotechnical staff.
• Prepare analyses and designs for foundations, slope stability, permafrost, thermal, seismic, and marine/arctic structures; develop contract documents.
• Plan and oversee onshore and offshore investigations in urban and remote settings, including frozen ground.
• Translate field/lab results into analyses and reports; review others’ work for quality and clarity.
• Serve as engineer of record or senior reviewer on projects; lead scope, schedule, and technical approach.
• Contribute to practice development and client development, including cold-regions methods and standards.
• Model company standards for writing, field safety, and ethics, including federal contracting requirements where applicable.

Skills

Team leadership

Mentoring

Technical writing

Client communication

Project delivery

Technical review

Business development

Travel flexibility

Education

M.S. Geotechnical Engineering

B.S. with exceptional track record

Job description

Are you a licensed Professional Engineer with 12 or more years in geotechnical practice, ready to take your career to the next level? Join Alaska’s premier civil engineering firm, with roots and a 47-year reputation in the Last Frontier.

What you will do:

• Lead a small team of Anchorage-based geotechnical engineers and on-site AASHTO soil testing laboratory supporting a wide variety of PND’s civil and structural engineering design projects.
• Provide technical support and review for PND’s other locations in Alaska and Lower 48.
• Provide day-to-day technical leadership for the geotechnical group on assigned work.
• Mentor early- and mid-career engineers through formal review, field and office coaching, and day-to-day technical guidance.
• Support hiring and development of geotechnical staff.
• Direct and prepare geological analyses, foundation design, slope stability analysis, permafrost design, thermal analysis, seismic design, and contract documents for marine structures, arctic structures, retaining walls, soil improvement, roads, bridges, and general site civil development, with an emphasis on foundation systems.
• Plan and oversee onshore and offshore geotechnical investigations in settings ranging from urban to remote, including in frozen ground.
• Translate fieldwork and laboratory results into analyses, recommendations, and detailed technical reports that support client decisions, and review the work of others for technical quality and clarity.
• Serve as engineer of record or senior technical reviewer on assigned projects, including seal responsibility where appropriate.
• Lead project teams: set scope, schedule, and technical approach; coordinate with other disciplines; manage client expectations; and help develop fees and proposals.
• Contribute to practice development, including cold-regions methods, quality standards, staff development, and business development with existing and prospective clients.
• Model PND’s standards for clear writing, safe fieldwork, and ethical practice, including federal contracting ethics requirements where applicable.

Qualifications

• Master of science degree in Geotechnical Engineering or Civil Engineering with a geotechnical focus. A bachelor’s degree with an exceptional record of relevant practice may be considered.
• Twelve or more years of relevant geotechnical consulting experience, including substantial responsibility for project delivery, client contact, and technical review.
• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license. Ability to obtain an Alaska PE within six months of hire is required if not already licensed in Alaska.
• Experience with cold-regions foundation design and permafrost or arctic engineering is preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading project teams and mentoring junior and mid-level staff.
• Strong writing and oral communication skills, including the ability to produce and review well-organized, clear, complete, and concise technical reports. Candidates will be expected to submit original writing samples for review.
• Ability to occasionally travel for site visits or investigations throughout Alaska. Travel in other parts of the U.S. and Canada is possible.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license and good driving record.
• Ongoing U.S. work authorization required, without need for employer sponsorship.

Benefits, Perks, and Office Culture

• Comprehensive medical plans
• Employer-paid dental, vision, and life insurance
• Disability insurance
• 22-25 days of paid time off and 9 paid holidays annually
• All overtime paid at 1.5x the regular hourly rate
• Discretionary bonuses
• Exceptional, employer-funded 401(k) profit-sharing retirement plan—no match required
• PND is an employee-owned firm. This role is anticipated to lead to an offering of ownership within 2-5 years based on performance and employee attributes.

Our Anchorage office also values a collegial, connected, collaborative workplace culture, including biweekly office donuts and bagels, monthly catered all-office meetings, and opportunities to participate in community activities.

Why Anchorage?

Anchorage is Alaska’s hub: big enough for modern amenities, yet minutes from mountains, coastline, and wilderness. Whether you’re drawn to skiing, fishing, hiking, or simply a quieter pace of life, Anchorage offers a rare blend of career and lifestyle.