Principal Geotechnical Engineer

Atlas; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign on Bonus

Relocation Assistance

Job summary

Atlas seeks a Principal Geotechnical Engineer to provide technical leadership for investigations, design, construction support, and client coordination on diverse projects. You will mentor junior staff, coordinate with clients and project teams, and contribute to business development while upholding quality standards.

Office is in Lakewood, CO with sign-on and relocation assistance. The role requires a PE in CO, 10+ years of geotechnical experience, and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering; master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of geotechnical engineering experience with emphasis on design, analysis, field investigations, and construction oversight.
• Licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Colorado is required.
• Local experience and familiarity with the local engineering practice are required.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills essential for team-based work.
• Extensive geotechnical background including soil/rock mechanics, earthquake engineering, pavement, and groundwater hydrogeology.
• Experience with geotechnical software including slope stability packages, pile modeling tools, site response software preferred.
• Familiarity with CDOT standards, guidelines, and deliverables is preferred.
• Experience in construction oversight for foundation construction and earthwork observation.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance on geotechnical engineering across diverse public- and private-sector projects.
• Lead geotechnical design, investigation, and analysis for buildings and infrastructures.
• Direct subsurface explorations, laboratory testing, data interpretation, and instrumentation monitoring.
• Supervise geotechnical support during construction of foundations, drilled shafts, piles, and earthwork.
• Liaise with clients and stakeholders to resolve geotechnical concerns and foster long-term relationships.
• Mentor junior geotechnical engineers and contribute to professional development and state-of-practice.
• Oversee and maintain the company quality program and accreditations.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering preferred

Tools

Geotechnical software (slope stability, pile modeling, site response)

Job description

Current job opportunities are posted here as they become available.

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 Lakewood, CO. Sign on Bonus and Relocation Assistance available.

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.
• Oversee and maintain our quality program and accreditations.

You’ll thrive here if you have

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering; master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering preferred.
• Minimum 10 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 Professional Engineer in the state of Colorado.
• 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 CDOT 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.

Our people and our culture are central to our work. Our values bring us together, create a sense of belonging and give us purpose. They guide how we make decisions, how we work as a team and how we serve our clients.

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: $150,000 - $200,000 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.