Principal Solid Waste Engineer or Geologist

Geosyntec Consultants; Kansas City (MO); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Geosyntec Consultants seeks a Principal Solid Waste Engineer or Geologist to lead and mentor a skilled team across Midwest offices, including Kansas City, with remote or hybrid work options. The role emphasizes sales, project leadership, and high-level technical design for landfills and solid waste systems.

You will manage complex analyses, client relationships, and permit activities while delivering engineering excellence and growth for the solid waste practice.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil/geotechnical engineering, geology or environmental science (required).
• Professional licensure (P.E./P.G.) or ability to obtain within 2 years (required).
• 10+ years related experience (15+ preferred).
• Demonstrated interest and experience in solid waste.
• Strong oral and technical writing skills.
• Regular fieldwork up to 30% and overnight travel up to 30%.

Responsibilities

• Engage in sales, business development, marketing, and client relationship management to expand solid waste and landfill market presence.
• Landfill engineering design, including liner and final cover system design, landfill gas system design, site closure and financial assurance.
• Civil design, transfer station design, stormwater design, and site layout.
• Engineering analyses such as slope stability, hydrologic and landfill gas modeling, seismic, and seepage.
• Small project/task management and proposal preparation support.
• Understanding of local, state and federal regulations related to solid waste.
• Preparation of permit applications, design calculations, drawings, technical specifications, and permit applications.
• Fieldwork associated with investigation, design and construction services.
• Drive personal, company, and rental vehicles to client or company project or office sites, and other locations as needed.

Skills

Sales & business development

Client relationship management

Strong communication skills

Technical writing

Fieldwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil/geotechnical engineering/geology/environmental science

Advanced degree (preferred)

Professional licensure (P.E./P.G.) or ability to obtain within 2 years

Tools

AUTOCAD

ARCGIS

KYpipe

Slope/W

Vadose/W

Sigma/W

FLAC

Job description

Overview

Do you want to build an impactful career to change the world for the better?

Geosyntec has an exciting opportunity for a Principal Solid Waste Engineer or Geologist to join our geoenvironmental and geotechnical practice, based out of our Grand Rapids, MI, Detroit, MI, Indianapolis, IN, Kansas City, MO, St. Louis, MO, Milwaukee, WI, or any of our Midwest based offices, with the opportunity for remote or hybrid-work scheduling. Our solid waste and landfill services practice engages in complex projects related to landfill, transfer station, surface impoundment design and permitting, geologic and hydrogeologic investigations, solid waste planning, and other solid waste management systems for our diverse client base throughout the Midwest. As a Principal level Engineer or Geologist you will have the opportunity to lead and mentor a dedicated staff of industry professionals, contribute to challenging technical work, and engage in business development efforts to expand our market share in the solid waste industry.

Geosyntec is an innovative, international engineering and consulting firm serving private and public-sector clients to address new ventures and complex problems involving our environment, natural resources, and civil infrastructure. Our engineers, scientists, technical and project employees serve our clients from offices across the world. Ranked by ENR as one of the top environmental engineering design firms, Geosyntec is internationally known for its technical leadership, broad experience, and exceptional client service.

We invest in our people. Each employee is unique, and your career at Geosyntec will be too. We offer competitive pay and benefits, and well‑being programs to support you and your family.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Collaboration and mentoring are cornerstones of Geosyntec's culture. You should expect to work closely with experienced professionals who will help integrate you into Geosyntec's culture as you advance to this next stage of your career.

We operate under a sell‑manage‑do culture, and so we expect all employees work on challenging technical projects while leveraging your existing knowledge and experience to help Geosyntec expand its current practices and capabilities. As a Principal Solid Waste Engineer or Geologist, you will have the opportunity to take on a mix of technical expertise, leadership, client relationship management, sales and business development, and mentoring roles.

Some of the key responsibilities for this senior level position include:

• Engage in sales, business development, marketing, and client relationship management to expand solid waste and landfill market presence;
• Landfill engineering design, including liner and final cover system design, landfill gas system design, site closure and financial assurance;
• Civil design, transfer station design, stormwater design, and site layout;
• Engineering analyses such as slope stability, hydrologic and landfill gas modeling, seismic, and seepage;
• Small project/task management and proposal preparation support;
• Understanding of local, state and federal regulations related to solid waste;
• Preparation of permit applications, design calculations, drawings, technical specifications, and permit applications; and
• Fieldwork associated with investigation, design and construction services.
• Drive personal, company, and rental vehicles to client or company project or office sites, and other business locations, as needed.

Education and Licensure

• Bachelor's degree in civil or geotechnical engineering, geology or environmental science. (required)
• Advanced degree in the same. (preferred)
• Professional certification (P.E., P.G. or equivalent) or ability to obtain within 2 years. (required)

Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• At least 10 years (15+ preferred) of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. (required)
• Demonstrated interest and experience directly related to solid waste. (required)
• Strong oral and technical writing skills. (required)
• Experience with modeling/design tools such as AUTOCAD, KYpipe, fate transport modeling, Slope/W, Vadose/W, Sigma/W, FLAC and ARCGIS. (preferred)
• Regular fieldwork up to 30% and overnight travel up to 30%. (required)
• Health & Safety training, medical monitoring, and client‑driven drug and background testing may be required.
• Valid U.S. driver's license and a satisfactory driving record for business travel. (required)