Senior Technical Leader

WGA; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Benefits package

401(k) match

PTO & holidays

Leadership access

Texas multi-office

Job summary

Ward Getz & Associates LLC (WGA) seeks a Sr. Technical Leader to serve as the top technical contributor across engineering practices in Texas. This role owners the QA/QC program, leads mentoring and training, and advocates for technical excellence firm‑wide.

It is a technical authority role emphasizing problem solving, people development, and high standards of quality with influence beyond projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related field.
• 20+ years of progressive civil engineering experience, including QA/QC leadership.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Texas or ability to obtain reciprocity promptly.
• Proven experience developing and delivering technical training programs.
• Track record of mentoring engineers across multiple experience levels.
• Deep knowledge of local, state, and federal codes, regulations, and standards.
• Active involvement in professional organizations at regional or national level.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced engineering guidance across all project phases including planning, design, construction, and post‑project analysis.
• Own QA/QC program; establish quality procedures and standards for the practice.
• Lead governance initiatives and chair design process improvements across disciplines.
• Mentor engineers and designers; develop and deliver technical trainings.
• Interface with clients as technical lead on project scopes, budgets, and risk mitigation.
• Coordinate with contractors and agencies to resolve technical issues and ensure delivery.

Skills

Technical leadership

Communication

Mentorship

Organization

Continuous improvement

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Master’s degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

Ajera

Job description

Founded in 2007, Ward Getz & Associates LLC (WGA) is a Texas-based professional consulting firm that has steadily grown in a competitive market by consistently delivering exceptional quality and service. Our success is rooted in the belief that creative design drives successful projects and that strong client relationships are the foundation of long‑term growth. WGA serves clients across Texas with offices in Houston, The Woodlands, College Station, Austin, and San Antonio.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Sr. Technical Leader to serve as our highest‑level technical contributor for all our engineering practices. This role is the cornerstone of WGA’s technical quality, training culture, and industry reputation. The Sr. Technical Leader owns the QA/QC program for the practice, leads firm‑wide mentoring and training initiatives, and acts as a visible advocate for WGA’s technical excellence in the market.

This is not a project manager role - it is a technical authority role for a senior engineer who thrives on solving complex problems, developing people, and raising the bar on quality across an entire practice. As a Sr. Leadership role within WGA, this position carries firm‑wide influence and accountability - with technical excellence as the primary mandate and client relationship management and industry presence as important secondary responsibilities.

All Technical Leaders, Technical Managers, and designers across the firm carry an indirect reporting line to this role.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Provide advanced engineering guidance and solutions across all phases of civil engineering projects, including planning, design, construction, and post‑project analysis.
• Review and advise on technical aspects of projects firm‑wide; ensure designs meet regulatory requirements and industry standards.
• Collaborate with design teams to deliver innovative, cost‑effective, and sustainable engineering solutions.
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies, AI tools and industry best practice
• Act as a trusted technical advisor to clients on project scope, feasibility, cost management, and risk mitigation.
• May serve as lead on complex or special projects regionally and nationally.

Quality Control & Assurance

• Own and oversee the practice’s QA/QC program; establish, document, and enforce quality procedures and technical standards.
• Lead and contribute to continuous improvement of QA/QC processs, technical procedures, and service delivery.
• Conduct and coordinate technical reviews across the practice to ensure all deliverables meet WGA’s standards of excellence.

Technical Governance

• Lead technical governance for the firm, including firm‑wide initiatives, standards development, and technical committee oversight.
• Chair and advance the Design (CAD) Committee to review, standardize, and continuously improve design processes, tools, and documentation standards across all practices.
• Provide regular updates to firm leadership on the status, outputs, and outcomes of technical committees and governance initiatives.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Identify technical risks during all project phases; develop and communicate mitigation strategies to ensure safe, successful delivery.
• Ensure all projects comply with applicable local, state, and federal regulations, environmental standards, and discipline‑specific guidelines.

Mentorship & Training

• Develop and lead technical training programs and mentoring initiatives for entry and mid‑level engineers and designers.
• Coordinate and present technical topics internally (webinars, white papers, lunch and learns, etc).
• Work with Managers and Leaders on professional development plans (PDPs) and provide technical feedback for all practice staff.

Industry Leadership

• Actively participate in professional organizations, including committee and leadership positions.
• Present at industry events, contribute to technical publications, and build WGA’s profile as a market‑leading technical firm.
• Develop strategic relationships with regulatory agencies, industry organizations, and key technical stakeholders.

Stakeholder & Client Management

• Serve as day‑to‑day technical point of contact for select clients or key project portfolios.
• Interface with WGA’s non‑engineering practices contributing to projects, ensuring cohesive cross‑discipline coordination and seamless project delivery.
• Coordinate with contractors, governmental agencies, subconsultants, and suppliers to resolve technical issues and ensure seamless project execution.

Practice Operations Support

• Support proposal development, scope planning, and fee estimation.
• Assist Practice Leadership in identifying opportunities for expanded services and client retention.
• Assist in the preparation of strategic plans for the firm and business plans for practices as needed.
• Ensure kickoff and continuous meetings are held for special and complex projects, as well as monitor and communicate any updates and project deliverables to all project stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related field.
• 20+ years of progressive civil engineering experience, including demonstrated QA/QC program leadership.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of Texas (or ability to obtain Texas reciprocity promptly).
• Proven experience developing and delivering technical training programs.
• Track record of mentoring engineers across multiple experience levels.
• Deep working knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal engineering codes, regulations, and standards.
• Demonstrated involvement in professional organizations at a regional or national level.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
• Environmental consulting experience preferred.
• Specialty certifications such as PMP, LEED AP, CFM, ENV SP, or equivalent.
• Experience in [discipline, e.g., Facilities/Land Development/H&H/Utilities, etc.] civil engineering.
• Published technical papers, white papers, or presentations at industry conferences.
• Experience with Ajera or comparable project management/ERP platform.

Skills & Attributes

• Visionary technical thinker with a strong quality mindset.
• Exceptional communication skills across all organizational levels and with external clients and agencies.
• Natural mentor and coach who invests in the growth of others.
• Organized and detail‑oriented; able to manage multiple concurrent priorities.
• Active contributor to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborative team player who builds trust with peers, leadership, and clients alike.

What We Offer

• Competitive total compensation commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• A collaborative, growth‑oriented firm culture where technical excellence is valued and rewarded.
• Direct access to firm leadership and meaningful influence on the firm’s technical direction.
• Support for professional development, licensure, continuing education, and industry involvement.
• Multi‑office presence across Texas with flexibility in work arrangements.

EEO STATEMENT

WGA is committed to providing equal opportunity to all qualified applicants and its employees. The Company strictly prohibits all discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, color, age, national origin, ethnicity, religious creed or belief, physical or mental disability, marital or familial status, legally protected medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES

Please note that WGA does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, WGA will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, WGA explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency.