Senior Geotechnical Engineering Manager

Houston Engineering, Inc.; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Long-term disability

401(k) match

Flexible schedule

Paid time off

Job summary

Houston Engineering, Inc. seeks a Senior Geotechnical Engineering Manager to lead our geotechnical practice, overseeing subsurface investigations, designs, and QA/QC.

You will blend technical oversight with business development and staff mentoring. The role covers foundations, slopes, retaining structures for water resources, transportation, and municipal projects, requiring leadership, rigorous analyses, and clear communication with clients and regulators.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Civil, Geotechnical, or Geological Engineering.
• PE license required; SE/GE licenses preferred depending on state.
• 10+ years of progressive geotechnical experience with project or team management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee geotechnical scopes, budgets, and schedules for projects.
• Review technical deliverables to ensure accuracy and codes compliance.
• Lead proposals and grow the regional geotechnical practice.
• Mentor junior engineers and geologists; collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams.
• Direct field exploration and soils lab operations.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Civil/Geotechnical/Geological Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Geotechnical software

gINT/PLAXIS/GeoStudio

Job description

As a progressive firm, we are seeking team members who have a passion for growth and innovation. At HEI, we empower team members to foster professional development and maximize your potential. The challenge and opportunity you seek can be found at Houston Engineering!

Job Description

The Senior Geotechnical Engineering Manager will develop and direct our organization’s geotechnical practice, overseeing complex subsurface investigations, geotechnical designs, and construction QA/QC. This person will balance high-level technical oversight with business development, mentoring staff, and managing project budgets. This role blends engineering expertise with executive leadership. This position will include opportunities to contribute to a variety of projects such as foundations, soil & rock slopes, and retaining walls related to water resources (dams, levees, floodwalls), transportation (bridge and highway), and municipal infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Project & Risk Management: Oversee geotechnical scopes of work, budgets, and schedules. Evaluate and mitigate risks related to soil, rock, and groundwater conditions for water resources, transportation, and municipal infrastructure projects.
• Technical Leadership: Review and oversee technical documents, to ensure a high level of accuracy and quality. Ensure all deliverables meet public agency requirements and industry codes. Provide senior geotechnical/geological engineering review and technical assistance for evaluations, design, report preparation, contract document development, and construction of projects involving the following: soil and rock mechanics; geohazards; soil/structure interaction; subsurface exploration and field testing programs; laboratory testing; geophysical methods; foundations for transportation structures; slope stability; retaining walls, excavation support systems, dewatering systems, instrumentation systems, pavement systems and earthwork operations.
• Business Development: Lead proposal efforts, interface with clients, and grow the regional geotechnical practice. Contribute to the development and execution of business plans related to the growth of our sector services; provide market and industry insight and facilitate development of marketing strategies.
• Team Leadership & Mentoring: Recruit mid- and senior staff members, and recruit, train, and mentor junior engineers and geologists. Foster cross-disciplinary collaboration with civil, structural, and environmental teams. Work with cross-functional teams on engineering projects that involve multiple sectors, fields, clients, regulators, and project sites.
• Field & Lab Operations: Direct field exploration programs, drilling operations, and soils laboratory testing.

Qualifications

• Education: B.S. (or M.S.) in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or Geological Engineering.
• Licensure: Professional Engineer (PE) license is required; a Structural Engineer (SE) or Certified Geotechnical Engineer (GE) license is highly preferred depending on the state.
• Experience: 10+ years of progressive geotechnical engineering experience, including prior project or team management. Ability to lead a team to meet business objectives under general supervision. Proficient self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment. Demonstrated ability to generate and manage geotechnical-related projects.
• Technical Skills: Knowledge of engineering and geologic research techniques and protocols. Possess computer skills and have experience with computer software including Microsoft Office and geotechnical specialty software. Proficiency with technical writing, office automation and communication software, technology, and tools.
• Soft Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication, negotiation skills, and the ability to present complex data and project risks to non-technical stakeholders. Ability to coordinate with clients, colleagues, and third-party groups and understand requirements. Analytical mindset, detail oriented, and experience with geological research techniques required. Possess competent interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to a professional and non-professional audience.

Additional Information

As part of our talented staff, you will enjoy competitive pay, annual bonuses, paid health, dental, vision, life insurance, short and long-term disability, paid time off, paid holidays; parental leave, generous 401(k) match, access to HSA & FSAs, flexible schedule, annual HEI logo apparel and more.

Additionally, view our careers page to read about HEI being selected as one of the ENR top 500 design firms and as one of the Prairie Businesses 50 best places to work for several years in a row!

EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability