Senior Geotechnical Engineer

UES; Springdale (AR); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

UES, a national leader in geotechnical engineering, seeks a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to lead complex projects across infrastructure, energy, and environmental sectors.

The role emphasizes technical excellence, mentorship, and growth of the geotechnical practice in the Midwest, with hybrid work options and periodic in-person engagement.

Ideal candidates have PE licensure, 8+ years of experience, and a proven ability to manage budgets, schedules, and client relationships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering; Master's preferred.
• 8+ years in geotechnical engineering; at least 3 years in senior/lead role.
• PE license required; travel up to 20%.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical excellence on geotechnical projects across infrastructure, transportation, energy, and commercial development.
• Oversee investigations, analyses, foundation evaluations, and design recommendations.
• Review and approve technical reports, calculations, specifications, and project deliverables.
• Mentor junior engineers and develop skills across regional teams.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, and client relationships; pursue major projects.

Skills

Geotechnical leadership

Project management

Client development

Mentoring

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering

Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering (preferred)

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Job description

Overview

At UES, we're a team of more than 4,000 engineers, scientists, geologists, inspectors, technicians, and drillers united by a shared purpose-to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. As a national leader in geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, and materials testing and inspection, we collaborate on transformative projects across transportation, energy, water, healthcare, and more. Learn more about the benefits of joining Team UES and our core values at careers.teamues.com.

Position Overview

At UES, we're looking for an experienced Senior Geotechnical Engineer to provide technical leadership, manage complex projects, and help grow our geotechnical engineering practice across the Midwest. This opportunity is ideal for an established geotechnical professional who enjoys solving challenging engineering problems, developing client relationships, mentoring engineers, and contributing to business growth. We are open to remote arrangements, with a strong preference for candidates located in the Midwest within reasonable commuting distance of a UES branch. This allows for flexibility while maintaining opportunities for collaboration, client engagement, and occasional in-person project support. If you're looking for a senior-level opportunity where your technical expertise and leadership can make a meaningful impact, we'd like to connect.

What You'll Do

Lead Technical Excellence

• Serve as a senior technical resource on complex geotechnical engineering projects involving infrastructure, transportation, energy, and commercial development.
• Oversee geotechnical investigations, engineering analyses, foundation evaluations, and design recommendations.
• Review and approve technical reports, engineering calculations, specifications, and project deliverables.
• Develop innovative, practical, and cost-effective engineering solutions for challenging site conditions.

Manage Projects & Client Relationships

• Lead multidisciplinary project teams, coordinating technical resources and ensuring successful project execution.
• Oversee project budgets, schedules, quality, and overall performance.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients, consultants, contractors, and industry partners.
• Support business development through client engagement, proposal development, and pursuit of major projects.
• Identify opportunities to expand UES's geotechnical services throughout the Midwest.

Mentor & Develop Engineering Talent

• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior and mid-level engineers.
• Support engineering development, knowledge sharing, and best practices across regional teams.
• Collaborate with branch leadership to strengthen technical capabilities and support long-term growth.
• Promote a strong culture of safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Location & Work Flexibility

We recognize that experienced engineers need flexibility to do their best work. This position offers the potential for a remote or hybrid work arrangement, depending on location and business needs. Our preference is for candidates residing in the Midwest region within reasonable commuting distance of an established UES branch, allowing for periodic in-person collaboration, client meetings, and project support. Some travel throughout the Midwest may be required based on project and client needs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical expert on geotechnical engineering projects of significant complexity and scope.
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams, coordinating geotechnical input for large infrastructure, transportation, energy, and commercial projects.
• Develop innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable geotechnical design solutions.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, and resources, ensuring delivery of high-quality work products.
• Build and maintain strategic client relationships, leading proposal efforts and negotiations for major contracts.
• Provide senior-level review and approval of geotechnical reports, specifications, and engineering analyses.
• Mentor, train, and develop junior and mid-level engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning.
• Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and professional associations.
• Contribute to company-wide technical standards, research initiatives, and best practices.
• Ensure strict compliance with safety standards, regulatory requirements, and quality control procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering (Master's strongly preferred).
• 8+ years of progressive geotechnical engineering experience, with at least 3 years in a senior or lead role.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• Recognized expertise in advanced geotechnical modeling, soil-structure interaction, and ground improvement technologies.
• Proven track record of successfully managing large-scale, complex projects.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.
• Active participation in professional organizations (e.g., ASCE, DFI, Geo-Institute) preferred.
• Ability to travel extensively for client and project needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience serving as Engineer of Record or senior technical reviewer.
• Background supporting large-scale infrastructure, transportation, energy, or complex commercial projects.
• Established professional relationships within the Midwest engineering and construction market.
• Experience mentoring engineers and supporting technical practice development.

Travel Requirements

• This position requires extensive travel, approximately up to 20% of the time, in support of business objectives and client engagements. Travel may be both scheduled and on short notice, depending on project needs. Destinations typically include job sites, field locations, or regional offices, where work may be conducted in outdoor or operational environments. Adherence to all company safety protocols and use of PPE is required during travel and on-site work.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Work is primarily conducted outdoors with exposure to outdoor conditions, including:
  • Sites that may not be accessible by vehicle, requiring travel on foot through wetlands, swamps, grasslands, construction zones, and other uneven or rugged terrain with natural and man-made obstacles such as sand, brush, and debris.
  • Moderate to loud noise levels due to lab equipment, field operations, and construction environments.
  • Exposure to dirt, dust, chemicals, sun, heat, humidity, and varying weather conditions as part of field sample collection and testing.
• Physical requirements include:
  • Ability to lift and carry between 35 and 75 lbs. over distances up to 75 feet, involving regular repetitive motion.
  • Ability to stand, walk, drive, and operate laboratory and field equipment for extended periods.
  • Ability to bend, twist, reach, stoop, pull, kneel, climb, balance, lift, carry, and push as required for laboratory and fieldwork.
  • Ability to use your senses to see (including close, distant, and peripheral vison, depth vision, and ability to focus) smell, hear, touch (use hands to reach climb or balance, crouch, stoop, crawl, kneel and sit).
  • Ability to communicate effectively through verbal and written means in a lab and field environment, often requiring the use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).

EEO Statement

UES is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is proud to recruit the most qualified candidates. Please see our full EEO Statement at the bottom of the page here