Principal, Geotechnical Engineer

Haley & Aldrich; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Haley & Aldrich in Northern California is seeking an experienced Principal Geotechnical Engineer to lead high-performing teams, grow client relationships, and deliver innovative geotechnical solutions. The role is based in Walnut Creek or San Jose, CA, with a focus on strategic projects for transportation and public infrastructure.

You will direct major projects, mentor staff, and shape the firm’s long-term growth while maintaining strong safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in civil engineering with a geotechnical concentration.
• 20+ years of strategic geotechnical consulting experience, with 10+ years in the San Francisco Bay Area.
• California PE and GE registrations.
• Proven business development and project leadership, with experience leading high-revenue projects and client portfolios.
• Demonstrated track record of at least $1.5 million in annual net revenue.
• Strong written and verbal communication; able to lead client and internal discussions.
• Leadership experience building and managing diverse teams.
• Strong business acumen balancing growth, client needs, profitability.
• Ability to travel occasionally for BD and office collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow the portfolio by developing and maintaining strategic client relationships, identifying new opportunities, and driving revenue growth.
• Oversee large, complex projects from initiation to completion, ensuring technical, budgetary, and client satisfaction goals; serve as a senior leader on project teams.
• Build and guide high-performance teams; mentor talent and promote staff development during projects.
• Contribute to long-term strategy by identifying new markets, services, technologies; lead high-impact proposals.
• Ensure all work complies with health and safety protocols and safety behaviors.

Skills

Geotechnical leadership

Business development

Project leadership

Communication skills

Team mentoring

Travel flexibility

PE/GE licensure

Dam/levee experience

Education

MS in Civil Engineering (Geotech)

Job description

Find your path and enjoy the journey at Haley & Aldrich. With us, you’ll tackle clients’ most meaningful challenges in the built and natural environments – and, in turn, build stronger communities. You’ll work with teams of passionate colleagues, driven by a commitment to technical excellence and continuous learning.

As a company, we aim to build a world where communities go beyond resilience, embracing change as an opportunity to enhance safety, well-being, and quality of life. Join us to accelerate this vision and your professional development.

We are seeking an experienced and accomplished Principal, Geotechnical Engineer to lead high-performing teams, cultivate deep client relationships, and deliver innovative solutions. This role offers an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering strategic value and driving meaningful outcomes for our clients and team. This strategic hire will support leadership succession and expand relationships with local government and transportation clients throughout Northern California. If you’re ready to take your career to the next level and contribute to a dynamic and growing company, we’d love to hear from you! The role is full-time and based in our Walnut Creek or San Jose, CA office.

Duties/Responsibilities

In this position, you will

• Lead and grow the company’s portfolio by developing and maintaining strategic client relationships, identifying new business opportunities, and driving significant revenue growth.
• Oversee large, complex projects from initiation to completion, ensuring they meet technical, budgetary, and client satisfaction goals. Serve as a senior leader on project teams and oversee all phases of service delivery.
• Build and guide high-performance teams, fostering a collaborative environment. Mentor emerging talent and promote staff development through hands-on coaching and leadership during project execution.
• Contribute to the company’s long-term strategy by identifying new markets, services, and technologies, and leading proposals for high-impact projects.
• Ensure that all work is performed in accordance with company and client Health & Safety protocols and demonstrate our foundational safety behaviors.

Skills/Experience

Minimum Skills and Requirements:

• A Master’s degree in civil engineering with a concentration in geotechnical engineering.
• 20+ years of strategic geotechnical engineering consulting experience with 10+ years of that experience in the San Francisco Bay Area.
• California Professional Engineer (PE) and Geotechnical Engineer (GE) registrations.
• Demonstrated expertise in both business development and project leadership, with experience safely and profitably leading high-revenue projects and client portfolios.
• Proven success in achieving a minimum of $1.5 million in annual net revenue from consulting.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas and lead client and internal discussions effectively.
• Proven leadership experience in building and managing diverse teams, mentoring staff, and fostering collaboration.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance strategic growth, client needs, and company profitability.
• Ability to travel occasionally for business development and office collaboration.

Preferred Skills

• Significant experience serving local government and transportation clients in Northern California, with established relationships and insights into industry trends.
• Ability to grow our portfolio of complex dam and levee projects
• Experience presenting at conferences or contributing within professional organizations.
• Familiarity with local and regional regulations and policies applicable to geotechnical engineering, dams, levees, transportation, and public infrastructure.
• A passion for continuous learning, staying at the forefront of industry developments, and contributing to innovation within the company.

The salary range for this position in Walnut Creek, CA and San Jose, CA is $200,000- $260,000 annually. Actual compensation will be based upon a variety of factors such as education, related work experience, certificates, skills, and current market conditions. Haley & Aldrich reviews salary ranges each quarter to assess competitiveness with the market.

About Haley & Aldrich

Haley & Aldrich is committed to solving our clients’ most meaningful challenges in the built and natural environments. Our team of 1,000+ engineers and scientists across the United States draws inspiration from one mission: to work closely with clients as they navigate change to create safer, more robust places to live and work. Since our founding in 1957, organizations across the public and private sectors have relied on us for technical excellence and empathetic leadership that achieve results and secure a thriving tomorrow. Find us at haleyaldrich.com and LinkedIn.

Haley & Aldrich is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, age, disability, veteran, or any other legally protected status. We offer excellent career growth, a highly competitive total compensation plan, and a solid benefits package.