Principal Engineer (Geotechnical)

Hillis-Carnes Engineering Associates, Inc.; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical with HSA options

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Long-term disability

Short-term disability

401k with company match

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Job summary

Hillis-Carnes Engineering Associates (HCEA) seeks a Principal Engineer to lead Geotechnical Engineering and CMT projects across public and private sectors. You will mentor junior staff, represent the firm in client meetings, and drive business development to expand our regional portfolio.

As a Principal, you will supervise risk management, review contracts, and ensure high-quality, compliant deliverables. This is a senior leadership role within our ESOP firm, with attractive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science and/or Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, or related ABET-accredited engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 12+ years of progressive experience in geotechnical engineering/CMT consulting.
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities with a commitment to mentoring and developing junior technical staff.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Proficiency/experience with typical commercial Geotechnical software such as RocScience, Ensoft, Tablogs, etc.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Geotechnical Engineering and CMT projects without additional supervision.
• Review and negotiate contract terms with clients.
• Pursue and win work to maintain billability goals and mentor junior staff.
• Serve as final quality control manager of written deliverables and ensure sound conclusions.
• Manage subordinates in proposals, cost estimates, reports, specs, and correspondence.
• Develop professional client relationships and act as main client contact.

Job description

WHO IS HILLIS-CARNES?

Hillis-Carnes Engineering Associates (HCEA) is a multi-disciplined ENR Top 500 engineering firm with 20 offices in the mid-Atlantic and Florida. We have demonstrated a history of success for the past 35 years. We are 100% employee-owned ESOP, and our history of success can be attributed to our motivational employee owners. We believe in fostering teamwork, rewarding ambition, and providing opportunities for professional advancement.

Position Overview

The professional in this position has a leadership role in our Geotechnical Engineering and Construction Materials Testing/Inspection projects, supporting a diverse portfolio of public and private sector projects throughout the region. The candidate will represent the firm in client meetings and participate vigorously in business development activities. Principals are our final level quality control managers, ensuring that our work product meets our client expectations and manages firm risk. Candidates at this level are expected to work independently, unsupervised, and otherwise be internally motivated to progress in their career and make the company more successful.

Principal Engineer is the seventh and final rung of the career progression ladder and is bonus eligible. In this role, Principals are expected to serve as mentors to Associate Principals.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Geotechnical Engineering and CMT projects without additional supervision. General mastery of prior career ladder rungs.
• Review and negotiate contract terms with clients.
• Vigorous involvement in business development is a key responsibility for this position. The candidate is expected to pursue and win work to maintain their individual billability goals and for the junior staff under their supervision.
• Serve as final quality control manager of our written deliverables, ensuring that risky solutions are not pursued and that adequate work has been done to draw our conclusions and recommendations.
• Manage subordinates in the preparation of technical proposals, cost estimates, engineering reports, specifications, and project correspondence.
• Take a leading role in developing professional relationships with clients and working on projects they engage our firm on. Become a client's main point of contact.
• Resolve client concerns on projects.
• Perform administrative duties associated with senior level positions including initial review and negotiations of contracts, diligent effort on collections and Accounts Receivable.
• Maintaining above average scores on measured business metrics like report completion efficiency, billability, safety, and proposal follow-up.
• Conduct site visits in support of junior staff.
• Support business development efforts by maintaining client relationships and participating in professional and industry organizations.
• Ensure compliance with company safety policies, site safety requirements, and applicable permitting requirements.
• Strong understanding of geotechnical engineering/CMT principles, practices, and industry standards.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science and/or Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, or related ABET-accredited engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 12+ years of progressive experience in the geotechnical engineering/CMT consulting industry.
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities with a commitment to mentoring and developing junior technical staff.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Proficiency/experience with typical commercial Geotechnical software such as RocScience, Ensoft, Tablogs, etc.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven business development and client management experience.
• Proven track record of completing complex Geotechnical and CMT projects.
• Self-motivated professional with a strong commitment to technical excellence and customer service.

Position Offering

While there are no further technical career ladder rungs, our Principals are expected to take managerial leadership roles in the company.

We are a proudly an employee-owned company and we believe our employees should have the best benefits! Hillis-Carnes' benefits package which includes paid holidays, generous paid time off, medical (with Health Savings Account options), dental, vision, long-term and short-term disability, 401k plan with a company match, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (that means you have ownership in the company upon eligibility), employee assistance plan, company events, wellness program, employee self-service site, and much more.

Hillis-Carnes is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer

Minorities and Women are encouraged to apply.