Senior Geotechnical Engineer

X4 Engineering; California; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with match

PTO and holidays

License renewals support

Job summary

Confidential Client in California is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to lead delivery of geotechnical work across residential, commercial, and public works projects. You will own technical analysis and reporting, acting as engineer of record on GE-certified projects.

You will manage field investigations, coordinate with field crews, and mentor junior staff while liaising with regulatory agencies such as DSA and Caltrans. A California GE license and 5+ years of experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering.
• 0

Responsibilities

• Plan and oversee geotechnical field investigations across residential, commercial, and public works projects.
• Lead engineering analyses: bearing capacity, settlement, slope stability, and seismic hazard assessment.
• Prepare and stamp geotechnical investigation reports, as-graded reports, and engineering correspondence
• Act as engineer of record on projects requiring GE certification
• Own client relationships and serve as the primary technical contact on assigned projects
• Coordinate with field technicians, drillers, and lab staff to keep projects on schedule and on spec
• Contribute to proposals, scoping, and fee estimation for new work
• Mentor junior engineers and staff geologists
• Liaise directly with regulatory bodies (building departments, DSA, Caltrans) as needed

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Field investigations

Engineering analysis

Client relationships

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering

Tools

SLOPE/W

LPILE

SHAKE

Job description

My client, a testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) company with an established geotechnical division in California, is looking for a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to join their team. This is a chance to take ownership of technical delivery on a varied caseload - from residential grading to public infrastructure - with a firm that holds DSA and Caltrans accreditations and a strong regional reputation.

The Role

• Plan and oversee geotechnical field investigations (borings, test pits, in-situ testing) across residential, commercial, and public works projects
• Lead engineering analysis: bearing capacity, settlement, slope stability, and seismic hazard assessment (liquefaction, lateral spreading)
• Prepare and stamp geotechnical investigation reports, as-graded reports, and engineering correspondence
• Act as engineer of record on projects requiring GE certification
• Own client relationships and serve as the primary technical contact on assigned projects
• Coordinate with field technicians, drillers, and lab staff to keep projects on schedule and on spec
• Contribute to proposals, scoping, and fee estimation for new work
• Mentor junior engineers and staff geologists
• Liaise directly with regulatory bodies (building departments, DSA, Caltrans) as needed

What You'll Need

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or related field
• Active California GE (Geotechnical Engineer) license - required
• 5+ years of progressive geotechnical engineering experience
• Track record as engineer of record on reports involving slope stability and/or seismic hazard analysis
• Strong command of California Building Code and CBC seismic provisions
• Experience on DSA and/or Caltrans-regulated projects strongly preferred
• Comfortable with geotechnical analysis software (e.g., SLOPE/W, LPILE, SHAKE, or similar)

Nice to Have

• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering
• Prior experience mentoring junior staff or leading a small team
• Existing relationships across Southern California public works or land development

What's on Offer

• Competitive base salary, commensurate with experience
• 401(k) with match
• PTO and holidays
• Support for license renewals and continued professional development