Senior Principal Investigator

HILGARTWILSON, LLC; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Colliers Engineering & Design (CED) is seeking a Senior Principal Investigator in archaeology to lead cultural resource projects in Texas, including surveys, testing, and data recovery. The role focuses on regulatory compliance and mentoring staff across offices.

You will develop research designs, supervise teams, coordinate with SHPO/tribal nations, and oversee budgets while advancing business opportunities and staying current with field developments.

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Anthropology or Archaeology.
• 0
• 10–15 years of professional experience.
• Texas experience preferred.
• Experience leading Class I, II, III surveys, testing, data recovery.
• PI qualifications and permitting requirements for state/federal agencies.
• Excellent technical writing and communication skills.
• RPA certification or ability to obtain.
• Existing THPO relationships in the region.
• Familiarity with geospatial software (ArcGIS, Collector, Trimble).
• Public outreach and interpretation experience.
• Scopes of work, level-of-effort estimates, and budgets for public/private clients.
• English literacy for job communications.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Principal Investigator for cultural resource projects including surveys, testing, and data recovery.
• Develop and implement project research designs and methodologies.
• Lead compliance with NHPA, NEPA, ARPA, NAGPRA and state/local regulations.
• Supervise field directors, crew chiefs, and staff archaeologists.
• Coordinate with clients, SHPO, ASM, agencies, and Tribal Nations for consultation.
• Provide QA/QC review of reports, site forms, and regulatory deliverables.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, and staffing for efficiency and profitability.
• Contribute to business development, proposals, budgeting, and client relationships.
• Stay current with archaeological research, regulatory developments, and best practices.
• Foster positive cross-disciplinary collaboration across offices.

Skills

Project leadership

Regulatory compliance

Field supervision

Budget management

Technical writing

Education

Master’s or PhD in Anthropology

Tools

ArcGIS

GIS software

Trimble

Job description

Overview

Colliers Engineering & Design (CED) is a leading engineering and environmental consulting firm with a rapidly growing archaeological practice dedicated to preserving and interpreting cultural heritage. We provide comprehensive cultural resource management services across diverse industries and landscapes, with a strong focus on a different states throughout the country thus far. Our team is expanding, and we are seeking a full-time Senior Principal Investigator (PI) with deep expertise in archaeology and regulatory compliance to help lead projects and mentor staff. This position can be located in any of our offices in the state of Texas!

Responsibilities

• Serve as Principal Investigator for cultural resource projects, including Class I, II, and III surveys and testing and data recovery projects.


• Develop and implement project-specific research designs and methodologies.


• Lead compliance efforts with Section 106 of the NHPA, NEPA, ARPA, NAGPRA, and state/local regulations.


• Supervise and mentor field directors, crew chiefs, staff archaeologists, and field technicians.


• Coordinate with clients, SHPO, ASM, federal and state agencies, and Tribal Nations to facilitate consultation and compliance.


• Provide technical QA/QC review of archaeological reports, site forms, research designs, and regulatory deliverables.


• Manage project budgets, schedules, and staffing to ensure efficiency and profitability.


• Contribute to business development, including proposal writing, budgeting, and cultivating client relationships.


• Remain current with archaeological research, regulatory developments, and best practices in cultural resource management.


• Establish & maintain positive relationships with co-workers, support and build others on the team and across disciplines/offices.


• Working in various terrains and environments throughout the year.


• Performing physical tasks in the field which may include regular carrying of equipment (20-50 pounds).


• Occasional local and overnight travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD Degree in Anthropology, Archaeology or another closely related field.


• 10-15 years of professional experience.


• Demonstrated expertise in the archaeology.


• Experience in Texas preferred.


• Experience leading Class I, II, and III surveys, testing, and data recovery projects.


• Must meet or be capable of meeting Principal Investigator qualificationsand permitting requirements for applicable state agencies and federal land-managing agencies.


• Excellent technical writing and communication skills.


• RPA certification or ability to obtain.


• Existing working relationships with Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs) in the region.


• Familiarity with geospatial and archaeological software (ArcGIS, Collector, Trimble, etc.).


• Experience conducting public outreach and interpretation of archaeological resources.


• Proven experience preparing scopes of work, level of effort estimates, and project budgets for public and private sector clients.


• Ability to read, write and understand English for purposes of comprehending written job-related communications and verbal instructions and interactions.


• Ability/willingness to lift equipment or objects weighing up to 50 pounds.


• Ability/willingness to walk long distances on rugged terrain.


• A valid Driver’s License is required.

What We Offer

At Colliers Engineering & Design, our people are our most important resource. That’s why we are committed to providing all our employees with a safe, comfortable work environment, potential for career advancement, and the ability to impact society through their projects as well as Company sponsored activities.

This dedication begins with supporting a work life balance through a generous compensation package that includes: company paid medical, dental, and vision coverage; paid pregnancy disability leave; short- and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; a company-matched 401(k)/Roth; paid time off that includes parental and military leave; employee referral and professional license bonuses and a straight time policy that compensates exempt employees for billable hours worked in excess of 40 billable hours within a work week.

We have also created an internal culture that provides the resources and technology needed to encourage personal and professional growth opportunities through reimbursement for education; a free in-house resource for hundreds of educational and self-enrichment courses; mentorship program; wellness program; Women’s Organization and ongoing philanthropic opportunities.