Senior Geotechnical Engineer (PE)
Senior Geotechnical Engineer / Future Office Lead
Northern New Jersey | Hybrid | PE Required
Build, lead, and shape a growing geotechnical practice - without bureaucracy holding you back
Our client is a well‑established, ENR Top 500, employee‑owned multidisciplinary engineering firm with more than 35 years of consistent growth and a strong presence across the Mid‑Atlantic.
Our client is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer (PE) to step into a critical leadership role within their Northern New Jersey operation. This is an opportunity for an experienced engineer who wants real autonomy, the chance to build and mentor a team, and a clearly defined path into office leadership.
This position exists because the work is already there. The current registered PE is managing 30+ active construction projects, and we are ready to invest in a senior hire who can help scale the operation responsibly and sustainably.
Why this role stands out
- Autonomy by design: Run your own projects with support when needed - not micromanagement
- Succession opportunity: Positioned to step into full office leadership as current leadership expands regionally
- No forced sales culture: Client interaction and relationship‑building are expected, but this is not a heavy BD role
- Strong bonuses: Typically 30-40% of base salary, tied to company and local office performance
- 100% employee‑owned: Profits are reinvested into people, equipment, offices, and bonuses - not shareholders
What you'll be doing
- Lead geotechnical investigations and designs for public and private sector projects
- Oversee field explorations (test borings, test pits), laboratory analysis, and reporting
- Prepare and sign geotechnical reports, calculations, and recommendations
- Manage and mentor junior engineers and field staff with hands‑on involvement
- Coordinate directly with clients, contractors, and internal testing teams
- Review daily reports and maintain technical and safety standards
- Help build a high‑functioning, autonomous geotechnical team in NJ
What we're looking for
- 10+ years of geotechnical engineering consulting experience
- Professional Engineer (PE) licensed in New Jersey (PA licensure considered with a clear NJ path)
- Strong knowledge of Northern NJ subsurface conditions, codes, and permitting requirements
- Core expertise in subsurface investigations, excavation support, and lateral earth pressure analysis
- Experience hiring, mentoring, and developing junior engineers
- Comfortable managing real‑world project budgets and schedules
- Willing to be present and visible when building and training a team
Nice to have:
- Advanced Master's degree
- Experience with GINT, L‑Pile, MSEW, or similar geotechnical software
- Established regional client relationships
Compensation & benefits
- Competitive base salary
- Annual bonus typically 30-40% of base
- Generous PTO and paid holidays
- Medical (HSA options), dental, vision
- Short‑ and long‑term disability
- 401(k) with company match
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) - full employee ownership
- Wellness initiatives, company events, and additional benefits
The culture
- Entrepreneurial, low‑bureaucracy environment
- Decisions made by engineers, not committees
- Leaders who value problem‑solving over politics
- Clear upward mobility for high performers
Interested?
Apply with your CV or LinkedIn profile.
Confidential, informal conversations are welcomed before applying.
FAQs
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