Lead Geotechnical Engineer

WSP in the U.S.; Lakewood (CO); On-site; USD 98,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in the U.S. is seeking a Lead Geotechnical Engineer to advance our Geohazards and Geotechnical practice in Lakewood, Colorado. This role blends strong geotechnical fundamentals with hands-on problem solving on complex sites.

You will guide field investigations, perform analyses, mentor staff, and shape project approaches while collaborating with senior leaders across the region. The position emphasizes technical leadership and growth of the practice.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Geological Engineering, Civil Engineering (geotechnical focus)
• Approximately 7+ years of relevant post-graduate experience in geotechnical engineering, with increasing responsibility for technical work.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in Colorado or the ability to obtain within a reasonable timeframe.
• Solid technical foundation in soil and rock mechanics, geotechnical analysis, and engineering judgment.
• Experience working on field investigations, data interpretation, and development of engineering recommendations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey technical concepts.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative project team.

Responsibilities

• Provide geotechnical engineering expertise on projects involving transportation corridors, infrastructure, mining, energy, and natural hazard mitigation.
• Lead or support geohazard evaluations including rockfall, landslides, debris flows, slope stability, and related mitigation design.
• Plan and oversee geotechnical field investigations, including drilling programs, test pits, instrumentation installation, and geophysical surveys.
• Perform and review geotechnical analyses such as slope stability, earth retention, shallow and deep foundation design, settlement analysis, and rock mechanics.
• Prepare, review, and contribute to technical reports, design memoranda, calculations, plans, and specifications.
• Support other project managers with scope development, task planning, schedules, and budgets, commensurate with experience level.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and field staff.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and interface with clients, agencies, and contractors.
• Contribute to proposal development, technical approaches, and pursuit support as opportunities arise.
• Promote a strong culture of safety, quality, and professional integrity in all project work.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Field investigations

Technical leadership

Written and verbal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Geotechnical Engineering / Civil Engineering (geotechnical focus)

Master's degree in Geotechnical/Geological Engineering (preferred)

Tools

GeoStudio

Rocscience

gINT

Open Ground

LPILE

GIS

Civil 3D

Job description

This Opportunity

WSP is seeking a Lead Geotechnical Engineer to support and grow our Geohazards and Geotechnical Engineering practice based in Lakewood, Colorado. This role is ideal for an experienced engineer who enjoys combining strong technical geotechnical fundamentals with applied problem-solving on complex sites.

Job Description

This Opportunity

WSP is seeking a Lead Geotechnical Engineer to support and grow our Geohazards and Geotechnical Engineering practice based in Lakewood, Colorado. This role is ideal for an experienced engineer who enjoys combining strong technical geotechnical fundamentals with applied problem-solving on complex sites.

You will work on a diverse mix of projects that include geohazard assessment and mitigation, as well as more conventional geotechnical engineering for transportation, mining, energy, and other infrastructure projects. The role offers the opportunity to take on increasing technical leadership, support project delivery, manage projects, mentor junior staff, and collaborate closely with senior technical leaders across the region.

This position is well-suited for someone who wants to remain hands-on technically, while also helping shape project approaches and supporting the growth of the geohazards/geotechnical practice.

Your Impact

• Provide geotechnical engineering expertise on projects involving transportation corridors, infrastructure, mining, energy, and natural hazard mitigation.
• Lead or support geohazard evaluations including rockfall, landslides, debris flows, slope stability, and related mitigation design.
• Plan and oversee geotechnical field investigations, including drilling programs, test pits, instrumentation installation, and geophysical surveys.
• Perform and review geotechnical analyses such as slope stability, earth retention, shallow and deep foundation design, settlement analysis, and rock mechanics.
• Prepare, review, and contribute to technical reports, design memoranda, calculations, plans, and specifications.
• Support other project managers with scope development, task planning, schedules, and budgets, commensurate with experience level.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and field staff.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and interface with clients, agencies, and contractors.
• Contribute to proposal development, technical approaches, and pursuit support as opportunities arise.
• Promote a strong culture of safety, quality, and professional integrity in all project work.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Geological Engineering, Civil Engineering (geotechnical focus), or a closely related discipline.
• Approximately 7+ years of relevant post-graduate experience in geotechnical engineering, with increasing responsibility for technical work.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in Colorado or the ability to obtain within a reasonable timeframe.
• Solid technical foundation in soil and rock mechanics, geotechnical analysis, and engineering judgment.
• Experience working on field investigations, data interpretation, and development of engineering recommendations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey technical concepts.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative project team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Geotechnical or Geological Engineering.
• Experience with geohazard-related projects such as rockfall, landslides, debris flows, avalanche, or embankment failures.
• Familiarity with discipline-specific software (e.g., GeoStudio, Rocscience, gINT, Open Ground, LPILE, GIS, Civil 3D).
• Experience providing technical review of calculations, reports, and design deliverables.
• Interest in mentoring staff and contributing to technical practice development.
• Experience working in mountainous or complex geologic terrain typical of the western U.S.

WSP Benefits

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Compensation

Expected Salary (Colorado only): $98,300 - $175,230

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and/or offer for this position within the state of Colorado, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.