Principal Geotechnical Engineer

ECS Group of Companies; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal Opportunity Employer

Job summary

ECS Group of Companies in Charlotte, NC seeks a Principal Geotechnical Engineer to provide regional technical leadership across major projects in public infrastructure, commercial, industrial and data-center sectors.

You will mentor a multidisciplinary team and act as a key technical authority while guiding field staff through complex analyses and designs. This role emphasizes leadership, design excellence, and strategic business development.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of geotechnical and transportation engineering experience.
• PE license required; PG may be acceptable depending on state requirements.
• Knowledge of DOT Geotechnical Design Manual (GDM) and AASHTO LRFD specifications.
• Proficiency with MicroStation/OpenRoads or similar programs for infra projects.
• Proven track record as a senior technical reviewer in a prior firm.
• Valid driver’s license for travel to sites and meetings.

Responsibilities

• Serve as final technical reviewer and signatory for geotechnical reports, designs, plans, and analyses.
• Oversee development of geotechnical reports and design packages with seal and signature as Engineer of Record.
• Provide technical expertise to geotechnical staff across branch and region.
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers, technicians, designers, and PMs for growth and promotion.
• Lead complex designs for slope stability, foundations, retaining structures, and settlements.
• Direct field exploration activities including drilling and site inspections.
• Drive business development by attending client meetings and identifying growth opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Associate Principal review committee to identify future leaders.

Skills

Technical leadership

Mentorship

Business development

Team coordination

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering

Tools

MicroStation

OpenRoads

gINT

LPile

APile

MSEW

FB-Pier

GRLWEAP

Job description

ECS is hiring a Principal Geotechnical Engineer to join our team in Charlotte, NC! As a Principal Geotechnical Engineer with ECS you will provides technical leadership for major projects across multiple sectors - public infrastructure, commercial, industrial, mission critical/data center and much more.

Combining technical excellence with mentorship and business development. You will lead a multidisciplinary team of field staff, engineers, and scientists while serving as a primary technical authority for the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the final technical reviewer and signatory for geotechnical reports, designs, plans and analysis. Ensuring 100% accuracy of designs and project deliverables.
• Oversee the development of geotechnical engineering reports and design packages, providing technical seal and signature as the Engineer of Record.
• Provide technical expertise for geotechnical staff across the branch and region, focusing on various local, regional, and state regulations.
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers, technicians, designers, and project managers to support professional growth and internal promotion.
• Lead complex engineering designs for slope stability, shallow and deep foundations, retaining structures, and settlement evaluations.
• Direct project managers on field exploration activities, including drilling, test pits, and site inspections.
• Drive business development by attending client meetings and identifying growth opportunities to expand our transportation portfolio.
• Collaborate with the Associate Principal review committee to identify and mentor future leadership candidates.

Basic Qualifications

• 12 or more years of experience in geotechnical and transportation engineering.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Geological Engineering, or a related field.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license is required; Professional Geologist (PG) license may be acceptable depending on state requirements.
• Documented expertise in DOT Geotechnical Design Manual (GDM) and AASHTO LRFD specifications.
• Proficiency in MicroStation, OpenRoads or similar programs for infrastructure and highway design projects.
• Proven track record of serving as a senior technical reviewer at a previous engineering firm.
• Valid driver’s license for travel to project sites and client meetings.

Preferred Qualifications

• Utilize specialized software including gINT, LPile, APile, MSEW, FB-Pier, and GRLWEAP to deliver innovative design solutions.
• Experience managing 3 or more large-scale projects simultaneously.
• Active participation in industry organizations such as ASCE, ACEC, or specialized geotechnical institutes.

ECS Group of Companies (ECS) was founded in 1988 with the goal to raise the standards of professional engineering consulting. Today, we are a leader in geotechnical, construction materials, environmental and building science + infrastructure consulting services. We are employee-owned with more than 3,200 employees in 125 offices and testing facilities coast to coast. ECS is currently ranked #60 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms (April 2026), #148 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms (October 2025) and #38 in Zweig Group’s Hot Firm List (June 2026). For additional information about ECS, visit: www.ecslimited.com.

ECS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.