Lead Geotechnical Engineer

HDR; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 176,623,000 - 252,299,000; Part time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Lead Geotechnical Engineer to join our Fort Collins, CO office. You will lead geotechnical design and analysis for dams, levees, mining and civil projects, mentor junior staff, and collaborate within a multidisciplinary team under a licensed PE.

The role requires a Bachelor's in geotechnical/civil engineering, 10+ years of experience, a PE license, and proficiency with GeoStudio, RocScience, gINT/OpenGround, and Bentley tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; 10+ years of civil/geotechnical design experience preferred.
• PE license required (PE or P.Eng)
• Experience with MS Office, GIS, and CADD as appropriate
• GeoStudio/Ensoft slope stability, settlement, seepage, deep foundation software experience
• Bentley gINT/OpenGround/LeapFrog data management & visualization familiarity
• Knowledge of advanced numerical modeling (Finite Difference/Finite Element/Discrete Element) software

Responsibilities

• Execute and support geotechnical engineering seepage, stability, settlement, and bearing capacity analyses.
• Perform risk evaluations and dam/levee safety inspections; prepare designs, drawings, and specs for civil projects.
• Plan site characterization studies including instrumentation; provide construction support with on-site inspections.
• Mentor junior engineers; supervise staff as needed; travel to support projects.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Civil engineering

Mentoring

Communication

Team collaboration

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in geotechnical/civil engineering

MS preferred

Professional Engineer license (PE)

Tools

Geostudio

RocScience

gINT/OpenGround

GIS

Civil 3D

Bentley suite

LeapFrog

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

We believe water is more than a resource; it's a shared responsibility. As part of our Water Business Group, you’ll help shape how communities manage water for generations to come. From delivering safe drinking water and treating wastewater responsibly to developing sustainable water supplies and protecting lives and property through flood control, your work will directly support public health, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. We bring together experts across disciplines to solve complex challenges with bold thinking and technical excellence. Whether you're modernizing aging systems or pioneering innovative approaches, your contributions will make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. This isn’t just a job, it's a chance to lead change, drive progress, and leave a lasting legacy.

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

HDR is currently in need of a Lead Geotechnical Engineer in our Fort Collins, CO office. The primary duties of the position will include execution and support of geotechnical engineering seepage, stability, settlement, filter compatibility, bearing capacity, liquefaction, and lateral earth pressure analyses; risk evaluations, dam and levee safety inspections, preparation of geotechnical designs, drawings, and specifications for dams, levees, mining, and other civil projects; writing technical reports, planning and executing site characterization studies including instrumentation, and providing construction support services with on-site inspections. Function as a geotechnical specialist as part of a multidisciplinary team. Work will be performed under the direction of a registered professional engineer and will include occasional travel to support projects. Mentoring of junior engineers in project work and may supervise one or more staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in geotechnical engineering or civil engineering with an emphasis in geotechnical, MS preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of technical experience on civil design projects from field investigation through construction services is preferred.
• Experience with Microsoft Office applications, engineering software (Geostudio, RocScience, gINT, OpenGround, GIS, Civil 3D), or other software as appropriate.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications (written and verbal) skills.
• Team player with ability to function effectively in a variety of roles on integrated project teams.
• Supervisor experienced preferred.
• Willing to travel for field assignments.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• 10 years of experience
• Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
• Experience with Microsoft Office applications, GIS, and CADD, as appropriate
• Experience with GeoStudio/Ensoft slope stability, settlement, seepage, and deep foundation response software, as appropriate
• Experience with Bentley suite of geotechnical data management and visualization software (gINT/OpenGround/LeapFrog)
• Knowledge of advanced numerical modeling techniques such as Finite Difference, Finite Element, Discrete Element, etc. and commercial software for advanced numerical modeling (Bentley, PLAXIS, Itasca FLAC)
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) Colorado: $61.64 - $88.05 Primary Location:United States-Colorado-Fort Collins Industry:Water Schedule:Part-time Employee Status:Regular BusinessClass:Dams Levees Civil Works Job Posting:Jul 29, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Acceptive Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.