Senior Geotechnical engineer- Columbus, OH


Columbus
Permanent
$100,000 - $160,000 USD a year
Civil
PR/582153_1788773627
Senior Geotechnical engineer- Columbus, OH

Senior Geotechnical Engineer

About the Company

A well-established and highly respected engineering consulting firm is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to join its growing team.

With a strong reputation for technical excellence and a long history of delivering successful projects, the organization provides geotechnical engineering, construction observation, subsurface investigations, materials testing, and inspection services across a diverse portfolio of transportation, commercial, municipal, and infrastructure projects.

Known for its collaborative culture and commitment to professional growth, the firm provides engineers with meaningful project ownership, diverse technical challenges, strong mentorship, and clear opportunities for long-term career advancement.

This position is ideal for a technically advanced geotechnical engineer who enjoys staying involved in engineering analysis and design while mentoring staff, managing projects, building client relationships, and helping shape the future direction of a growing practice.


Why Join Us?

  • Strong Regional Reputation built on decades of delivering high-quality geotechnical engineering, construction observation, and testing services.

  • High-Impact Projects involving foundations, earthwork, pavements, slopes, embankments, transportation infrastructure, commercial developments, and municipal projects.

  • Technical Growth Opportunities through exposure to retaining wall design, slope stability analysis, pavement design, foundation engineering, and project management.

  • Collaborative Team Environment where engineers, geologists, laboratory personnel, field staff, inspectors, and construction professionals work together to deliver successful projects.

  • Hands-On Project Ownership with opportunities to lead investigations, provide recommendations, interact with clients, and influence project outcomes.

  • Professional Development & Mentorship supported through seminars, technical training, software development programs, mentoring initiatives, and knowledge-sharing opportunities.

  • Long-Term Career Advancement within an established organization that actively invests in employee growth and leadership development.

  • Stable Project Pipeline supported by long-standing client relationships across both public and private sectors.


Position Overview

As a Senior Geotechnical Engineer, you will serve as a technical leader responsible for the planning, execution, and delivery of geotechnical engineering projects across a wide variety of markets.

You will oversee subsurface investigations, engineering analysis, laboratory review, report preparation, and construction observation activities while working closely with clients, project managers, drilling personnel, and field staff. The position requires sound engineering judgment, strong communication skills, and the ability to develop practical, technically defensible solutions.

This role combines technical engineering, project management, field oversight, mentoring, and client interaction, creating an excellent platform for long-term career growth and advancement.


Key Responsibilities

  • Lead geotechnical investigations including borings, test pits, subsurface explorations, soil classification, and laboratory testing programs.
  • Perform engineering calculations including bearing capacity, settlement analysis, earth pressures, pavement design, foundation evaluations, and slope stability assessments.
  • Prepare and review comprehensive geotechnical engineering reports, recommendations, specifications, and technical deliverables.
  • Support and oversee construction materials testing (CMT), earthwork observation, foundation inspections, and construction quality assurance programs.
  • Interpret subsurface soil and rock conditions to develop practical geotechnical recommendations and design solutions.
  • Coordinate with project managers, drilling crews, field personnel, contractors, and clients throughout project execution.
  • Assist with retaining wall design, pavement design, foundation engineering, slope stability evaluations, and geotechnical modeling.
  • Mentor junior engineers, project engineers, technicians, and field staff while supporting their technical and professional development.
  • Manage project schedules, budgets, scope, and client expectations.
  • Maintain the highest standards of safety, quality control, technical accuracy, and professional communication.

What Makes This Role Different?

Many geotechnical positions focus primarily on report preparation and technical calculations.

This role offers the opportunity to develop broader professional skills while remaining deeply involved in engineering, including:

  • Technical leadership.
  • Project management.
  • Client relationship development.
  • Construction observation and field oversight.
  • Team mentorship and staff development.
  • Advanced geotechnical analysis and design.
  • Strategic project involvement and business growth exposure.

For engineers with ambitions of becoming a Senior Project Manager, Group Manager, Technical Leader, Associate, or Principal, this role provides the technical depth, project ownership, client exposure, and leadership opportunities needed to accelerate that progression.


Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering with a geotechnical concentration.
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
  • FE certification preferred.
  • 8+ years of geotechnical consulting experience.
  • Experience with geotechnical explorations, subsurface investigations, and construction observation programs.
  • Strong understanding of bearing capacity, settlement, earth pressure, pavement design, foundation engineering, and slope stability principles.
  • Experience preparing geotechnical engineering reports and technical recommendations.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Familiarity with geotechnical software such as Slide2, Settle3, RSPile, BoreDM, or similar programs.
  • CADD experience preferred.
  • Proven ability to mentor junior engineering staff and coordinate multidisciplinary project activities.

Desired Skills & Experience

  • Geotechnical Engineering
  • Foundation Design & Soil Mechanics
  • Bearing Capacity Analysis
  • Settlement Analysis
  • Earth Pressure Calculations
  • Slope Stability Analysis
  • Pavement Design
  • Retaining Wall Design
  • Subsurface Investigations
  • Soil Logging & Laboratory Data Interpretation
  • Construction Materials Testing (CMT)
  • Earthwork Observation
  • Foundation Inspection
  • Geotechnical Reporting
  • Technical Writing
  • Project Coordination
  • Technical Mentorship
  • Client Relationship Management
  • Geotechnical Software Analysis

Ideal Background

We would particularly like to speak with engineers who have experience in:

  • Transportation Projects
  • Commercial Developments
  • Municipal Infrastructure
  • Site Development Projects
  • Earthwork & Grading Programs
  • Foundation Design
  • Retaining Walls
  • Pavement Engineering
  • Slope Stability Projects
  • Construction Materials Testing Programs
  • Public Sector Infrastructure
  • Geotechnical Consulting Projects

Who This Role Appeals To

This opportunity is ideal for a geotechnical engineer who:

  • Wants greater ownership of projects and technical decisions.
  • Enjoys balancing office engineering with field involvement.
  • Wants to mentor and develop younger engineers.
  • Enjoys solving complex soil and foundation challenges.
  • Wants more client interaction and project leadership responsibilities.
  • Values technical excellence and practical engineering solutions.
  • Sees their future progressing into project management, group leadership, or senior technical leadership roles.

Compensation & Benefits

  • Competitive compensation package.
  • Annual performance-based bonus opportunities.
  • Generous paid time off and paid holidays.
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.
  • Company-paid life insurance.
  • Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
  • 401(k) with company match.
  • Education assistance and professional development support.
  • Employee assistance and wellness programs.
  • Professional society memberships.
  • Technical training, mentoring, industry conferences, and continuing education opportunities.
  • Employee referral bonus opportunities.
  • Employee recognition and rewards programs.
  • Team-building events and collaborative company culture.
  • Clear long-term career progression opportunities within a growing organization.

Why This Opportunity

This role offers a unique blend of technical engineering, field involvement, project leadership, and professional growth.

You will have the opportunity to:

  • Lead diverse geotechnical engineering projects from investigation through final delivery.
  • Work on high-impact transportation, infrastructure, commercial, and municipal developments.
  • Partner with experienced technical professionals across multiple disciplines.
  • Develop advanced expertise in geotechnical analysis, foundation engineering, and construction support.
  • Mentor and influence the next generation of engineers.
  • Progress into senior technical leadership and project management positions while remaining actively involved in engineering.

Unlike many larger organizations, this environment provides direct access to decision-makers, meaningful project ownership, and the ability to make a visible impact on both projects and the long-term success of the business.

FAQs

Congratulations, we understand that taking the time to apply is a big step. When you apply, your details go directly to the consultant who is sourcing talent. Due to demand, we may not get back to all applicants that have applied. However, we always keep your resume and details on file so when we see similar roles or see skillsets that drive growth in organizations, we will always reach out to discuss opportunities.

Yes. Even if this role isn’t a perfect match, applying allows us to understand your expertise and ambitions, ensuring you're on our radar for the right opportunity when it arises.

We also work in several ways, firstly we advertise our roles available on our site, however, often due to confidentiality we may not post all. We also work with clients who are more focused on skills and understanding what is required to future-proof their business. 

That's why we recommend registering your resume so you can be considered for roles that have yet to be created. 

Yes, we help with resume and interview preparation. From customized support on how to optimize your resume to interview preparation and compensation negotiations, we advocate for you throughout your next career move.

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