Senior Geotechnical Engineer

WSP in the U.S.; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP USA seeks a Senior Geotechnical Engineer in Birmingham, Alabama to lead geotechnical analyses and designs for transportation, power, and industrial projects. You will plan and execute subsurface exploration programs, prepare technical reports, and provide field support through project closeout.

You will mentor junior engineers, ensure QA/QC, and collaborate with cross‑disciplinary teams while supporting client communication and business development in the Southeast region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering with geotechnical focus.
• 5–7+ years of geotechnical engineering experience.
• Licensed PE in Alabama or able to obtain within 6 months.
• Experience with subsurface investigations and geotechnical reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead geotechnical analyses and designs for transportation, energy, and industrial projects.
• Plan and manage subsurface exploration programs and field investigations.
• Prepare geotechnical data and interpretive reports and recommendations.
• Provide field support, design reviews, and RFIs responses.
• Mentor junior staff and ensure QA/QC compliance across teams.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and support BD activities.

Skills

Geotechnical analysis

Project management

Client engagement

Team leadership

QA/QC procedures

Mentoring

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical)

Professional Engineer (PE)

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

SLIDE

LPILE

OpenGround/gINT

Job description

Job Description

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Senior Geotechnical Engineer for our Birmingham, Alabama office. This role provides the opportunity to support a growing portfolio of projects throughout the southeastern United States, delivering geotechnical engineering services for transportation infrastructure, power and energy facilities, and industrial/commercial developments. The selected candidate will play a key role in project delivery, technical leadership, and client engagement across Alabama and the broader Southeast.

Your Impact

• Lead and perform geotechnical engineering analyses and design for:
  • Transportation projects (roadways, bridges, embankments, slopes)
  • Power and energy facilities (generation, substations, transmission corridors)
  • Industrial and commercial site developments
• Plan, coordinate, and manage subsurface exploration programs, including drilling, sampling, laboratory testing, and field investigations.
• Prepare and oversee geotechnical engineering deliverables, including:
  • Geotechnical data reports
  • Interpretive reports
  • Foundation and earthwork design recommendations
• Perform analyses and design for:
  • Shallow and deep foundations
  • Slope stability and retaining structures
  • Settlement and ground improvement solutions
  • Pavement and subgrade evaluations
• Provide construction‑phase support, including:
  • Field observations and inspections
  • Design reviews and responses to RFIs
  • Construction recommendations and troubleshooting
• Apply sound engineering judgment to evaluate subsurface conditions and develop practical, cost‑effective solutions.
• Lead and mentor junior engineers and technical staff, ensuring adherence to QA/QC procedures and technical excellence.
• Collaborate with multi‑disciplinary teams across transportation, civil, environmental, and power sectors.
• Support business development, including:
  • Proposal development
  • Scope definition and fee estimates
  • Client communication and relationship management
• Manage multiple assignments while maintaining schedule, budget, and quality objectives.

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering with geotechnical focus (Master’s preferred).
• 5 to 7+ years of experience in geotechnical engineering.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) (Alabama or ability to obtain within 6 months).
• Demonstrated experience supporting:
  • Transportation infrastructure projects
  • Power/energy or utility projects
  • Industrial and commercial development projects
• Experience with:
  • Subsurface investigation planning and execution
  • Geotechnical analysis and design
  • Preparation of technical reports and contract documents
• Working knowledge of applicable industry standards (e.g., AASHTO, ASTM, FHWA).
• Ability to work independently and serve as a task or project lead.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience delivering projects in the southeastern United States, with Alabama experience strongly preferred.
• Project management skills with experience leading teams on complex or multi‑project programs.
• Client focus with experience in client management and effective project/program delivery skills.
• Possess strong verbal communication, writing, analytical, and organizational skills combined with a positive attitude and an ability to work both independently and within groups, including with technical peers across the company, client contacts, and subcontractors.
• Familiarity with state DOT requirements (e.g., ALDOT, TDOT, GDOT).
• Experience supporting power and utility clients or heavy industrial facilities.
• Experience with geotechnical software (e.g., SLIDE, LPILE, OpenGround/gINT).
• Strong understanding of regional soil and rock conditions across the southeast.

About WSP

About Us

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?

www.wsp.com

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

Notice To Third Party Agencies

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.