Rock Mechanics Leader (Senior-Level)

Shannon & Wilson, Inc.; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Ownership

Comprehensive medical and dental coverage

Profit sharing

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

A leading geotechnical engineering firm is searching for a Rock Mechanics Leader to enhance its rock mechanics services. The successful candidate will oversee geological engineering projects, including rock slope stabilization, tunnel design, and rockfall evaluation. This role involves collaborating with engineers and geologists, conducting field data collection, and managing the delivery of comprehensive engineering solutions. The position requires a strong geotechnical background, along with excellent analytical and communication skills. This is a full-time role located in Seattle, Denver, or Portland.

Qualifications

• 14+ years of experience as a Geotechnical Engineer is required.
• Experience with Rocscience and Itasca tools is preferred.
• Professional Engineering License is necessary for the location.

Responsibilities

• Oversee field data collection for evaluating rock properties.
• Design stable rock cuts and tunnels and evaluate rock masses.
• Produce technical reports and deliverables for projects.

Skills

Geotechnical Engineering

Field Data Collection

Technical Report Writing

Rock Mechanics Analysis

Mentoring

Team Collaboration

Education

MS or PhD in Geotechnical Engineering

BS in Engineering or Geology

Tools

Rocscience Software

Itasca Software

MS Word

MS Excel

Job description

Description

About Shannon & Wilson

Shannon & Wilson is an employee‑owned leading geotechnical engineering and environmental services consulting firm dedicated to delivering innovative solutions for public and private clients – often on high‑profile infrastructure projects. Since 1954, we have delivered comprehensive engineering and environmental solutions for the most challenging infrastructure planning, design, permitting and construction conditions.

We are dedicated to improving our communities, preserving the environment and utilizing the most innovative science practices in all our work.

Job Summary

We are seeking a new technical leader for our rock mechanics engineering service line to enhance our industry presence in this field. Join us to shape this exciting service line and make an impact on critical projects throughout the US.

The Rock Mechanics Leader will oversee development and delivery of Shannon & Wilson’s rock mechanics services, including geological engineering for design of rock cuts, rock slope stabilization design, rock tunnels and tunnel rehabilitation, rockfall evaluation and mitigation, and other rock engineering projects and opportunities. This role will involve collaborating with geotechnical engineers, engineering geologists, as well as GIS, Environmental, and Software development specialists to deliver industry leading engineering solutions for a wide range of public and private clients throughout the US.

The position will be based in our Seattle, Denver, or Portland offices with a minimum of 3‑days per week in office and occasional travel for fieldwork.

Responsibilities

• Perform and/or oversee field‑based data collection to support rigorous evaluation of rock engineering properties for evaluation of rock mass strength and discontinuity shear strength parameters.
• Scoping and execution of data collection with line and window mapping of structural discontinuities, discontinuity set mapping, structural interpretation of high‑resolution LiDAR or photogrammetry point clouds, and evaluation of rock core and downhole televiewer surveys.
• Responsible for overseeing and performing rockfall and rock slope stability instrumentation and remote sensing methods to track deformation using state‑of‑the‑industry monitoring methods and equipment, remote power sourcing and data transmission, data processing, and interpretation.
• Assess state‑of‑the‑industry rock mechanics analysis to support design of stable rock cuts, rock tunnels, and foundations bearing on rock masses. Analysis capabilities will include characterizing rock mass structural conditions; evaluating rock mass and discontinuity strength based on field, downhole, and laboratory data; performing stereographic kinematic analyses, performing two‑ and three‑dimensional stability analysis with limit equilibrium, finite element, and discrete element modeling software to assess rock mass deformation under loading conditions, rock slope stability and/or rock reinforcement requirements.
• Design rock reinforcements to stabilize rock cuts, rock tunnels, and shallow foundation subgrades including selection and design of untensioned rock dowels, post‑tensioned rock anchors, 2‑ and 3‑D rock slope stability analyses.
• Complete evaluations to characterize causes of rockfall and associated rockfall hazards from bedrock and soil slopes that may affect highways, railroad, water conveyances, dams, and other facilities. Evaluate rockfall trajectories, energies, and bounce heights using two‑ and three‑dimensional rockfall modeling software. Select and design rockfall mitigation measures including flexible rockfall barriers, attenuators, draped mesh, anchored mesh, or other engineered methods.
• Produce deliverables including technical reports, calculation packages, and design plans and specifications for rock cuts, rock tunnels, and rockfall mitigation projects.
• Develop specifications for rock blasting adjacent to sensitive infrastructure, review of rock blasting plans, development of rock blasting vibration monitoring plans, and interpretation of vibration monitoring instrumentation results is preferrable.
• Design tunnels in rock, including the design and evaluation of temporary and permanent rock support systems.
• Develop and maintain industry contacts (public and private clients) to expand Shannon & Wilson’s presence in this field.
• Follow Shannon & Wilson’s Quality Assurance policy.
• Follow and promote Shannon and Wilson’s Health and Safety and Loss Prevention policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

Requirements

• MS or PhD Degree in Geotechnical Engineering (or Geological Engineering), supported by a BS Degree in Engineering or Geology.
• 14+ years of experience as a Geotechnical Engineer.
• Professional Engineering (PE) License in the state office is located.
• Experience with Rocscience limit‑equilibrium and numerical modeling tools (Rocscience and Itasca) is preferred.
• Mentoring and supervisory experience.
• Familiarity with tunnel liner design and assessment, including shotcrete and cast‑in‑place concrete liners.
• Knowledge of tunnel monitoring programs and instrumentation used to evaluate tunnel performance and ground behavior.
• Excellent writing, organizational, and communication skills.
• Personable, flexible, and professional demeanor.
• The ability to work independently with the appropriate level supervision.
• The willingness and ability to travel (drive or fly) to field sites per project needs and job sites locally and state.
• A valid driver license and insurable driving record.
• Basic computer skills: MS Word, Excel (required); MS Access (desirable).
• Critical thinking and analysis.
• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, lifting, and carrying 30+ pounds.
• Working in all weather conditions, on uneven terrain.

Level Placement

Typically, depending on an applicant’s education, experience, other qualifications they possess, if they are a fit for the company and local office culture, and the current business needs, a Senior‑Level Geotechnical Engineer typically would be placed at a Shannon & Wilson Associate or Senior Associate level.

Compensation

Associate: $145,000 - $170,000

Senior Associate: $160,000 - $180,000

Shannon & Wilson offers a competitive benefits package to support our employees. These benefits include:

• Employee ownership
• Comprehensive medical, prescription, vision, and dental coverage.
• Pre‑tax health and daycare FSA
• Life and disability insurance
• Long‑term care insurance
• Profit sharing and 401(k) plans
• Paid time off for vacation and sick leave
• 10 paid holidays
• Paid volunteer day
• Free parking

Shannon & Wilson is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Shannon & Wilson participates in the E‑Verify program

Please note that non‑solicited resumes from external recruitment agencies will not be considered as introductions to our business, unless a pre‑approved agreement is in place and the external recruitment agency has been engaged to work on this specific vacancy.