Senior Environmental Engineer

GZA; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

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

The ideal candidate will have a PE, 12+ years in consulting, and strong client relationships with Michigan regulators, leading projects, proposals, and business development while mentoring staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental or Civil Engineering is required.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) license is required.
• 12+ years of experience in consulting engineering.
• Strong knowledge of Michigan environmental regulations and site investigations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage environmental projects, including day-to-day execution and budget oversight.
• Prepare, review, and oversee proposals, technical reports, and deliverables with QA/QC.
• Conduct and review technical analyses related to investigation, compliance, and remediation.
• Represent GZA in client meetings and agency consultations, including negotiations with regulators.
• Lead business development activities with leadership and marketing teams.
• Recruit, mentor, and evaluate staff; foster a collaborative culture.
• Demonstrate strong communication, organizational skills, and professional judgment.
• Maintain safety and quality across projects and adapt to other project needs as required.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental or Civil Engineering

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.
• 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 is a multidisciplinary engineering consulting firm specializing in geotechnical, environmental, water, ecological, and construction management services. GZA is an employee‑owned firm committed to providing high‑level expertise on complex projects. GZA values diversity and strives to create an accepting and inclusive work environment for all employees.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.