Senior Geotechnical Engineer - Dam Levee

UES; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

UES is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Dam Engineer to join our expanding team. The role emphasizes dams and levees, complementing deep foundations and ground improvement offerings.

Strong technical and business acumen are required; position location is flexible with UES offices nationwide. The candidate will lead major water infrastructure projects, participate in business development, and guide project managers while delivering profitable outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering is required; Master’s is strongly preferred.
• PE license required.
• Experience leading large, complex geotechnical projects.
• Strong communication, negotiation and leadership skills.
• Willingness to travel up to 70% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Lead geotechnical engineering projects with focus on dams, levees, and hydropower facilities.
• Support business development and client engagement.
• Meetings with clients; provide project estimates and recommendations.
• Mentor project managers and coordinate cross‑functional teams.
• Ensure profitability and communication with stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Business development

Networking

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

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

Dan Brown and Associates LLC is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Dam Engineer to support our expanding geotechnical services. This position will have a specific emphasis on dams and levees to complement our position in deep foundations, ground improvement, and seismic markets. The ideal candidate will have strong technical and business skills, dam and levee experience, and an entrepreneurial spirit. The location of this position is highly flexible; UES has offices throughout the US.

Responsibilities

• Technical lead for geotechnical engineering projects and tasks including evaluation, design and remediation of dams, levees and hydropower facilities; geotechnical instrumentation; geotechnical investigations and design for major water infrastructure including conveyance (pipelines, canals, penstocks, pump stations, and tunnels), and bridges.
• Participate in business development, networking and marketing as needed.
• Host or attend project meetings with clients, conduct site meetings, site estimates, and project recommendations for prospective and current clients.
• Provide guidance to project managers regarding engineering problems or client interactions.
• Develop and manage projects with new and existing clients, ensuring profitability.
• Maintain excellent communication both verbally and electronically with clients, senior management, project managers and colleagues.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality and integrity.

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

• Dam and levee design experience.
• US Army Corps of Engineers and/or Tennessee Valley Authority experience.
• 10+ years of dam and levee experience.

Travel Requirements

• This position requires extensive travel, approximately up to 70% 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 vision, 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.