Senior Geotechnical Engineer

WSP; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer for our Birmingham, Alabama office. In this role, you will support a growing portfolio of projects across the southeastern United States, offering geotechnical engineering services for transportation, power, and commercial developments.

The successful candidate will lead project delivery, technical leadership, and client engagement while mentoring junior staff and managing subsurface exploration programs.

Qualifications

• 5 to 7+ years of experience in geotechnical engineering.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Alabama or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Demonstrated experience with transportation infrastructure and energy projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead geotechnical engineering analyses and design for various projects.
• Plan and coordinate subsurface exploration programs including drilling and testing.
• Prepare geotechnical engineering reports and foundation design recommendations.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering analysis

Client communication

Project management

Subsurface investigation

Technical report preparation

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering

Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

Geotechnical software (SLIDE, LPILE, OpenGround/gINT)

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 multidisciplinary 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.