Principal Geotechnical Engineer

Oneatlas; San Ramon, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 195,000 - 206,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Life, AD&D and Disability insurance

Job summary

Atlas, a leading infrastructure and environmental solutions company, seeks a Principal Geotechnical Engineer to provide technical leadership for investigations, design, and construction support in San Ramon, CA. You will coordinate with clients, mentor junior staff, and drive project success with a focus on safety and quality.

Qualified candidates will have a California-licensed geotechnical background, 15+ years in geotechnical practice, and experience leading diverse public and private

Qualifications

• Licensed Geotechnical Engineer in California.
• Minimum 15 years of geotechnical engineering experience.
• Local experience with California practice is required.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for team-based projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance on geotechnical projects ensuring compliance with guidelines.
• Lead geotechnical design, investigation, and analysis for buildings and infrastructure.
• Coordinate subsurface explorations, lab testing, data interpretation, and earthquake analyses.
• Supervise geotechnical support during construction and earthwork operations.
• Mentor junior geotechnical engineers and contribute to business development.
• Liaise with clients and stakeholders to maintain strong relationships.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Client coordination

Team leadership

Communication skills

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering

Master’s Degree in Geotechnical Engineering

Tools

Slope stability software

Pile modeling tools

Site response software

Job description

At the heart of everything we do is our people. People who are masters of their fields. People who strive to deliver quality and excellence. People who make a difference in their communities.

Our employees believe in our purpose and know that our work ultimately makes the world a better place. When you bring your talents to Atlas, you become part of a national team of over 3,500 experienced engineers, environmental scientists, inspectors, and other professionals working to improve the infrastructure assets and natural environment in the communities where we live and work.

At Atlas, we’re committed to fostering a company culture that is welcoming for every employee.

Our People

Pushing the limits of what’s possible, we’re a place for intellectual curiosity.

Our employees believe in our purpose and know that our work ultimately makes the world a better place. When you bring your talents to Atlas, you become part of a national team of over 3,500 experienced engineers, environmental scientists, inspectors, and other professionals working to improve the infrastructure assets and natural environment in the communities where we live and work.

Are you ready to work for one of the fastest growing infrastructure and environmental solutions companies in the country? Will you accept the challenge to innovate and solve complex and sophisticated problems? Do you want to grow as a professional, and transform and better the communities where you live and work?

Atlas is a trusted leader in environmental and infrastructure consulting services; we provide services that enable communities to flourish and thrive. With a team of 3,500 employees and offices throughout the US, we combine local expertise and a network of relationships to deliver solutions to both public and private clients. Our services help improve the quality of life in the communities where we live and work. We always aim for smart, safe, and sustainable results. At Atlas we understand that our future is everyone’s responsibility, and we create a better experience at every stage of a project.

Job Description

At Atlas, we're providing services that enable communities to flourish and thrive, and if you’re a Principal Geotechnical Engineer ready to provide technical leadership for geotechnical investigations, design, construction support, and client and team coordination across diverse public and private projects, and committed to doing meaningful work, then this is your moment. You’ll carry out geotechnical investigations and analyses, prepare technical recommendations, support construction activities, coordinate with clients and project teams, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to business and professional development efforts. Join a dynamic, value-driven, client- and community-focused environment where your work creates a lasting positive impact for the people and communities we serve. Office is located in San Ramon, CA.

Core Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance on geotechnical engineering aspects of a wide range of public- and private-sector projects, ensuring conformance with local, state, and federal guidelines.
• Lead geotechnical design, investigation, and analysis for buildings and infrastructure projects, including residential/commercial buildings, bridges, highways, railways, airports, pipelines, and levees/basins.
• Direct and supervise subsurface explorations, laboratory testing, geotechnical data interpretation, instrumentation monitoring, and associated geotechnical analyses for foundations, earthwork, slope stability, seepage, lateral earth pressures, and earthquake engineering.
• Supervise and lead geotechnical support during construction of geotechnical elements, including shallow foundations, drilled shafts, pile driving, grading, utility trenching, and other earthwork operations.
• Liaise with clients, stakeholders, and governmental personnel to ensure comprehensive resolution of geotechnical concerns, while fostering strong long-term client relationships and supporting business development opportunities.
• Mentor and train junior geotechnical engineers, maintain involvement in professional associations, and contribute to the state-of-practice of geotechnical engineering through community engagement.

You’ll thrive here if you

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering; Master’s Degree in Geotechnical Engineering preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in geotechnical engineering practice with an emphasis on geotechnical design and analysis, geotechnical field investigation, and construction supervision.
• The successful candidate must be a licensed Geotechnical Engineer in the state of California.
• Local experience and familiarity with the local engineering practice required
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills essential for team-based working
• Extensive geotechnical background including a strong fundamental knowledge of principles of geotechnical engineering, soil and rock mechanics, earthquake engineering, pavement engineering, and groundwater hydrogeology.
• Experience with geotechnical software including slope stability packages, pile modeling tools, site response software preferred.
• Familiarity with DSA/CGS guidelines and deliverables is preferred.
• Familiarity with Caltrans standards, guidelines, and deliverables is preferred.
• Experience in construction oversight for foundation construction and earthwork observation

What you can expect from us

• Health & Wellness: We offer medical, dental and vision coverage with multiple plan options, including no-cost employee-only medical coverage.
• Time Off & Family Support: We offer vacation time, paid holidays, sick & safety leave (SSL) and paid parental leave
• Retirement: We help employees plan for the future with a 401(k) and company match.
• Insurance: To provide protection and peace of mind, we offer Life, AD&D (Accidental Death & Dismemberment) and Disability insurance.
• Safety Program: We are committed to safety as part of our ‘quality of life’ core value, and we provide approved PPE at no cost and reimbursement for prescription safety glasses and protective footwear.
• Learning & Development: We provide clear career paths, learning resources and development programs allowing you to see how you can grow and advance within the company. We offer internal certifications on specific skills and support external credentials through tuition reimbursement.
• Belonging: We support Employee Communities (ECs), voluntary, employee‑led groups that create connections, belonging and shared purposes.
• Flexibility: May vary by project demands and regional workloads, but we are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to help employees manage their personal and professional responsibilities.
• Life: We enhance the quality of life. We value people and safety above all else.
• Heart: As our hallmark, we act with compassion, empathy, and respect.
• Trust: We work together as partners, doing what we say with full accountability.
• Mastery: Always striving for the highest quality, greatness inspires our work.

About the Job

• Employment Type: Full-time
• Compensation: $195,000 - $205,500 annual salary
  The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the state’s law. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience.

EEO Statement

Atlas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants without regard to race (including hairstyles, hair texture, hair type, or hair length commonly or historically associated with race), ethnicity, creed, religion or religious creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions or requests for pregnancy disability leave and/or family care leave), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, primary language, crime victim status, criminal conviction history, uniformed service member or veteran status, marital status, age, genetic information, disability or protected medical condition, genetics, political affiliation or activities, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.