Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Spencer Ogden; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Spencer Ogden is supporting an employee-owned engineering consultancy in the search for a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to join its Colorado team. This role focuses on mining and geotechnical projects across the U.S.

and internationally, with emphasis on tailings storage facilities, heap leach facilities, earthen dams and mine infrastructure. The successful candidate will take a senior technical role across investigation, design, construction support, monitoring and dam safety, with potential to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering or related discipline.
• Master's degree or Ph.D. preferred.
• PE licensure required.
• 8+ years of relevant geotechnical engineering experience.
• Experience with dams, tailings facilities, mining infrastructure.
• Strong soil mechanics and geotechnical design principles.
• Experience with slope stability, seepage, settlement and foundation analysis.
• Experience with drilling, CPT and subsurface characterization.
• Knowledge of GeoStudio or Rocscience software.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support geotechnical design for tailings storage facilities, heap leach pads and water-retention dams.
• Progress toward Deputy EOR and Engineer-of-Record responsibilities.
• Lead geotechnical investigations, site characterization and field programs.
• Perform and review slope stability, seepage and stress-deformation analyses.
• Develop 2D and 3D geotechnical models using limit-equilibrium and numerical methods.
• Complete liquefaction and seismic hazard assessments.
• Support dam-breach evaluations and geotechnical risk assessments.
• Evaluate settlement, bearing capacity and foundation performance.
• Develop material-characterization and laboratory-testing programs.
• Design and review geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring systems.
• Participate in annual dam-safety inspections, audits and surveillance programs.
• Provide construction-phase technical support and oversight.
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget and technical quality.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships.
• Prepare proposals, technical reports, specifications and design documentation.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

Geotechnical design

Slope stability analysis

Project leadership

Client communication

Team mentoring

Professional Engineer licensure

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Geological Engineering

Master's degree or Ph.D. preferred

Tools

GeoStudio

Rocscience

Job description

We are supporting an employee-owned engineering consultancy in the search for a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to join its Colorado team.

This position will focus on technically challenging mining and geotechnical projects across the U.S. and internationally, with particular emphasis on tailings storage facilities, heap leach facilities, earthen dams and mine infrastructure.

The successful candidate will take a senior technical role across investigation, analysis, design, construction support, monitoring and dam safety activities, with the opportunity to progress into Deputy Engineer-of-Record and Engineer-of-Record responsibilities.

The role would suit an experienced geotechnical engineer who combines strong analytical capabilities with project leadership, client interaction and an interest in complex mining infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support geotechnical design for tailings storage facilities, heap leach pads and water-retention dams
• Progress toward Deputy EOR and Engineer-of-Record responsibilities
• Lead geotechnical investigations, site characterization and field programs
• Perform and review slope stability, seepage and stress-deformation analyses
• Develop 2D and 3D geotechnical models using limit-equilibrium and numerical methods
• Complete liquefaction and seismic hazard assessments
• Support dam-breach evaluations and geotechnical risk assessments
• Evaluate settlement, bearing capacity and foundation performance
• Develop material-characterization and laboratory-testing programs
• Design and review geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring systems
• Participate in annual dam-safety inspections, audits and surveillance programs
• Provide construction-phase technical support and oversight
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget and technical quality
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships
• Prepare proposals, technical reports, specifications and design documentation
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering or a related discipline
• Master's degree or Ph.D. preferred
• Professional Engineer (PE) registration required
• Approximately 8+ years of relevant geotechnical engineering experience
• Experience with dams, tailings facilities, mining infrastructure or similar complex earth structures strongly preferred
• Strong understanding of soil mechanics and geotechnical design principles
• Experience with slope stability, seepage, settlement/deformation and foundation analysis
• Experience with geotechnical investigation methods including drilling, CPT and other subsurface characterization techniques
• Knowledge of laboratory testing including shear strength, hydraulic conductivity and compressibility
• Experience with industry-standard geotechnical software such as GeoStudio, Rocscience or equivalent
• Numerical modeling experience is highly desirable
• Experience with instrumentation and geotechnical monitoring programs
• Strong technical-report and proposal-writing skills
• Ability to manage projects and work directly with clients
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to join a growing, employee-owned engineering consultancy working on technically complex mining and dam projects around the world.

The position offers exposure to major tailings and mine-waste infrastructure projects, progression toward EOR-level responsibility, technical mentorship, client-facing work and opportunities to contribute to industry publications, conferences and technical committees.

The company also offers profit sharing, discretionary bonuses, professional-development support, 401(k) matching, comprehensive healthcare benefits and health and wellness allowances.