Practice Leader – Geotechnical Engineering, Dams, Levees, and Water Control Structures

Geosyntec Consultants, Inc.; Washington; Hybrid; USD 149,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays and PTO

Job summary

Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. is seeking a Principal to Senior Principal Geotechnical/Civil Practice Leader to join our Washington, DC practice. You will lead and grow a civil works/geotechnical practice focused on dams, levees, and water-control structures for federal and private clients.

The role requires 10+ years of direct site civil/geotechnical experience, USACE engagement, and strong leadership. A PE license is preferred, with advanced degrees welcome.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental, civil or geotechnical engineering (required).
• Advanced degree in a similar field (preferred).
• Professional certification (P.E.) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a Civil Works practice focused on geotechnical engineering for dams, levees, flood risk systems, and water control structures.
• Serve as a senior technical leader and trusted advisor for USACE and other clients.
• Develop and deliver complex civil works and dam/levee safety projects from feasibility to long-term asset management.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams including geotechnical, civil, structural, hydrologic and hydraulic, environmental, construction, and risk specialists.
• Provide senior review and technical direction for seepage, slope stability, foundation, and seismic analyses.
• Support risk analysis, dam safety modification studies, and levee evaluations.
• Mentor staff and build a sustainable Civil Works team in the Mid-Atlantic/East Coast.
• Represent Geosyntec through client engagement, technical presentations, and conference papers.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Dam/levee safety

USACE/FEDEral projects

Leadership/mentorship

Client relationships

Travel/drive

Education

Bachelor’s degree in environmental/civil/geotechnical engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Professional Engineer (P.E.) preferred

Job description

Overview

Do you want to build an impactful career to change the world for the better?

Geosyntec has an exciting opportunity for aPrincipal to Senior Principal Geotechnical/Civil Practice Leaderto join our Washington, DC practice. We are seeking a candidate with a strong geotechnical engineering specialization to help grow and lead our federal civil works, dams, levees, and water control structure practice in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The selected candidate will bring senior technical credibility, client relationships, and practical project delivery experience with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), federal and state agencies, utilities, and infrastructure owners.

Geosyntec is an innovative, international engineering and consulting firm serving private and public-sector clients to address new ventures and complex problems involving our civil infrastructure, environment and natural resources. Our engineers, scientists, technical and project employees serve our clients from offices across the world. Ranked by ENR as one of the top environmental engineering design firms, Geosyntec is internationally known for its technical leadership, broad experience, and exceptional client service. Our land development civil engineers are actively engaged in complicated, challenging site development projects for industrial, municipal, and commercial clients that have local to national footprints.

We invest in our people. Each employee is unique, and your career at Geosyntec will be too. We offercompetitive pay and benefits, and well-being programsto support you and your family.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a Civil Works practice focused on geotechnical engineering for dams, levees, flood risk management systems, navigation infrastructure, spillways, embankments, foundations, and water control structures.
• Serve as a senior technical leader and trusted advisor for USACE, federal, state, municipal, utility, and private‑sector clients.
• Develop, capture, and deliver complex civil works and dam/levee safety projects involving feasibility studies, risk assessments, alternatives evaluation, design, construction support, and long‑term asset management.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams that may include geotechnical, civil, structural, hydrologic and hydraulic, environmental, construction, instrumentation, and risk specialists.
• Provide senior review and technical direction for seepage, slope stability, foundation, settlement, seismic, erosion, scour, cutoff wall, grouting, and rehabilitation analyses and designs.
• Support Potential Failure Mode Analysis, Semi‑Quantitative Risk Analysis, risk‑informed decision‑making, dam safety modification studies, levee evaluations, and related technical workshops.
• Mentor and develop staff, strengthen technical quality, and help build a sustainable Civil Works team in the Mid‑Atlantic and broader East Coast market.
• Represent Geosyntec externally through client engagement, technical presentations, professional society participation, conference papers, and strategic teaming relationships.
• Drive personal, company, and rental vehicles to client or company project or office sites, and other business locations, as needed.

Education and Licensure

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental, civil or geotechnical engineering, or a related field of study. (required)
• Advanced degree in a similar field of study. (preferred)
• Professional certification (i.e. P.E.) (preferred)

Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• At least 10 years (15+ preferred) of direct site civil or geotechnical engineering and consulting experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. (required)
• Experience with dam and levee safety evaluations, risk assessments, inspections, instrumentation programs, emergency action planning, and rehabilitation or modification projects.
• Knowledge of USACE Civil Works delivery, including feasibility studies, design documentation, engineering technical review, independent external peer review, and construction‑phase services.
• Technical depth in seepage, internal erosion, embankment stability, foundation treatment, cutoff walls, grouting, slope stability, seismic site response, geohazards, and performance monitoring.
• Experience supporting or leading work for federal civil works clients, power utilities, state dam safety offices, water resources agencies, or transportation and infrastructure owners.
• Existing relationships within the USACE Civil Works, dams and levees, geotechnical, or water resources community.
• Health & Safety training, medical monitoring, and client‑driven drug and background testing may be required.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record for business travel. (required)

This opportunity will be posted for at least five days. Below are the potential compensation ranges that we in good faith believe are applicable for this role at the time of this posting and are only applicable for jobs to be performed in the specified location(s) below. The typical base salary range for this position is just one component of Geosyntec’s total compensation package for employees. Actual compensation will be determined based on education, experience, skill set and location.

• Minimum Salary: $149,330/year / Maximum Salary: $259,690 /year (Washington, DC)

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including, paid holidays, vacation, sick, and personal paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, 401(k), and other benefits to eligible employees.