Senior Environmental Engineer

GZA GeoEnvironmental; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. in Grand Rapids, MI seeks a Senior Environmental Engineer, Senior Consultant, or Associate Principal to lead environmental site investigation, remediation, and compliance projects.

The ideal candidate has PE licensure, 12+ years in consulting, strong client relationships, and a track record of technical reporting, risk management, and business development across Michigan regulatory agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental or Civil Engineering required.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• 12+ years in consulting engineering with knowledge of MDW regs.
• Experience delivering investigation, remediation, and permitting projects.
• Ability to perform independent technical analysis and problem solving.
• Strong report writing and communication skills.
• Self-starter capable of working independently.
• Experience interacting with clients and regulatory agencies.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental projects with internal teams and external clients.
• Prepare and review proposals, reports, and deliverables with QA/QC.
• Conduct analyses related to investigation, compliance, and remediation projects.
• Represent GZA in meetings and with regulatory agencies; negotiate where needed.
• Lead business development activities with leadership and marketing teams.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop staff; promote a collaborative culture.
• Maintain safety and quality; manage multiple priorities as needed.

Skills

Project leadership

Client relationships

Technical reporting

Proposal development

Risk management

Communication skills

Independent work

Doer-seller

Education

Bachelor's in Environmental or Civil Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. is seeking a Senior Environmental Engineer, Senior Consultant, or Associate Principal to join our growing environmental site investigation, remediation, and compliance practice in our Grand Rapids, Michigan office.

This position offers an opportunity to build upon GZA’s national reputation in environmental engineering by expanding the firm’s Grand Rapids, Michigan–based practice. The successful candidate will grow and enhance GZA’s existing local environmental services while leveraging the firm’s national environmental engineering expertise to strengthen regional offerings.

We seek an individual with an established reputation in the Michigan marketplace and strong relationships with clients and regulatory agencies. The role will represent GZA throughout all phases of client engagement—including proposal development, contracting, and project execution—and will be responsible for the technical, risk management, and financial performance of projects.

Practice growth responsibilities include collaborating with GZA leadership and the corporate marketing and communications team to expand the environmental practice and further establish GZA’s local market presence. The position also involves strategic planning, professional networking, and the hiring, development, and mentoring of staff.

The ideal candidate is self-motivated, organized, detail-oriented, quality- and safety-focused, and able to manage multiple priorities. Principal-level positions include an ownership position within the firm while Senior Consultant and Senior Project Manager positions have ownership opportunities with the firm and the potential for advancement to the principal level based on performance.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and manage environmental projects, including day-to-day execution, team coordination (office and field staff), delegation, and oversight of scope, schedule, budget, risk management, and contractual compliance.
• Prepare, review, and oversee proposals, technical reports, and deliverables, including internal technical QA/QC and ensuring high-quality, on-budget work products.
• Conduct and review technical analyses and calculations related to environmental investigation, compliance, and remediation projects.
• Represent GZA in client interactions, meetings, and agency consultations, including advocacy and negotiation with regulatory agencies and third parties.
• Lead business development activities in coordination with GZA leadership and the corporate marketing and communications team.
• Recruit, interview, train, mentor, and evaluate staff while fostering a collaborative "One Company" culture.
• Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication, organizational skills, professional judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Maintain a strong commitment to safety and quality and assist on projects outside primary responsibilities as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental or Civil Engineering.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE).
• 12+ years of experience in consulting engineering, with strong knowledge of Michigan state administrative code and applicable federal environmental regulations.
• Demonstrated experience developing, managing, and delivering environmental investigation, compliance, remediation, and permitting projects, including industrial compliance and permitting.
• Ability to perform independent technical analysis and problem-solving while exercising sound professional judgment.
• Proven ability to produce high-quality, well‑written technical reports within budget.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, organizational abilities, and attention to detail.
• Self-starter capable of working independently with minimal supervision.
• “Doer-seller” aptitude with industry knowledge and experience interacting with clients.
• Experience successfully advocating and/or negotiating with regulatory agencies and third parties.
• Strong commitment to safety.
• OSHA 40‑hour HAZWOPER certification (current or previously completed).

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Environmental or Civil Engineering.
• Experience with chlorinated hydrocarbons and emerging contaminant investigation, remediation, and litigation support.
• Construction bid specification experience.
• Stormwater or water resources management experience.

About GZA

• Professional development and enrichment
• Exciting work environment
• Generous, company‑subsidized benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and 401K retirement plan

GZA values diversity and strives to create an accepting and inclusive work environment for all employees.