Tetra Tech

Principal Geotechnical Engineer

Tetra Tech • $150K — $190K *
Real Estate & Construction
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in civil or geological engineering.
  • Active Professional Engineer (PE) certification in Colorado (or ability to obtain within six months).
  • 15 years of geotechnical engineering experience, particularly in dam design and water structures.
  • Proven leadership and mentoring abilities for engineering teams.
  • Expertise in dam safety assessments following FERC Part 12 and PFMA guidelines.
  • Strong technical skills in geotechnical design methods, including seismic analysis and slope stability.
  • Familiarity with AutoCAD and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and mentor junior and mid-level geotechnical engineers.
  • Supervise and perform geotechnical investigations for various civil projects.
  • Oversee subsurface exploration and assess laboratory data and test results.
  • Execute foundation design and ensure compliance with geotechnical standards.
  • Conduct dam safety evaluations and manage risk assessments.
  • Develop accurate and compliant geotechnical design documentation.
  • Implement quality assurance procedures throughout design and construction phases.

Benefits

  • Flexible hybrid schedule with 3 days in the office weekly.
  • Opportunity for significant career growth depending on individual passion.
  • Access to cutting-edge technologies and a team of world-class engineers.
  • Engagement in impactful projects addressing critical water rights issues.
  • Supportive culture promoting safety and technical innovation.
Full Job Description
The Opportunity:

Tetra Techis adding a Principal Geotechnical Engineerto ourteam basedin Denver, CO.

Your Impact:

Join Tetra Tech to make a real difference.Our workleveragescutting-edgetechnologies, advanced analytics, and theexpertiseof world-class scientists and engineers to create meaningful change around the world. Join our focused dam and reservoir practice in Denver to discover your full potential - join us to advance your career while leavinga lasting legacy. This office is leading solutions to critical water-rights issues within the State of Colorado. A true opportunity to be part of dam design and construction.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a Principal Geotechnical Engineer with expertise in dams and water-resources infrastructure to lead our geotechnical practice. In this senior technical role, you will work within our multi-disciplinary team supporting dams, reservoirs, and water-resources projects for federal, municipal, and state clients. Responsibilities include leading technical planning, design, analysis, investigations, construction support, and project oversight for new and existing dams. As the technical lead, you will lead and mentor a team of geotechnical engineers, develop creative solutions, and ensure high-quality delivery of projects. There is room for significant career growth in this position, depending on your passion and expertise.

Essential Job Functions:

The following duties are essential to this role. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions:

  • Lead and mentor a team of junior and mid-level geotechnical engineers, providing technical guidance, performance feedback, and professional development.


  • Supervise, plan, and perform geotechnical engineering investigations and analyses for dams, reservoirs, water-supply systems, and related civil works projects.


  • Oversee subsurface exploration programs, review boring logs, laboratory data, and geophysical survey results, and assign project-specific testing to support design and reporting.


  • Perform foundation design, seepage evaluations, slope-stability, fill-placement/ground-improvement, and seismic analyses; develop and approve geotechnical design solutions.


  • Direct and execute dam safety evaluations, including FERC Part 12, PFMA, risk assessments, and dam risk management activities.


  • Develop and review design drawings, specifications, and geotechnical reports, ensuring technical accuracy, clarity, and compliance with regulations and standards.


  • Create and implement quality assurance/quality control procedures for design and construction phases; verify field work meets contract and safety requirements.


  • Design and evaluate corrective measures for major geotechnical failures (landslides, seepage, foundation issues, channel failures, subsidence) with cost-effective, safety-focused solutions.


  • Conduct site visits and construction observations to confirm work conforms to design and safety requirements and to resolve field technical issues.


  • Support business development and practice growth by contributing to client pursuit planning, proposal preparation, and identifying strategic opportunities to expand dam and geotechnical services.


  • Promote a culture of safety, continuing education, and technical innovation within the practice.


RequiredQualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, geological engineering, or related field.


  • An active Professional Engineer (PE) certification in Colorado (or the ability to gain licensure in Colorado within six months of hire).


  • A minimum of 15 years of geotechnical engineering experience with a keen understanding of civil engineering principles of earthen embankment and dam designs, levees and water retaining structures.


  • Demonstrated leadership and mentoring experience supervising junior and mid-level engineers and managing technical teams and projects.


  • Demonstrated expertise in dam safety and risk programs, including experience with FERC Part 12 inspections, PFMA/risk assessments, and dam risk management processes.


  • Technical proficiency in geotechnical design and analysis methods (foundation design, seepage, slope stability, ground improvement, seismic analysis).


  • Construction experience and ability to troubleshoot issues in the field.


  • Working knowledge of AutoCAD.


  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (i.e., Excel, Word, PowerPoint) for documentation and communication.


Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master's degree in geotechnical engineering.


  • Prior consulting experience with client-facing responsibilities.


  • Proficiency and working knowledge of computer modelling software such as GeoStudio, LPile, gINT, OpenGround and/or FLAC is a plus.


Physical Requirements:

  • Ability to travel to project sites (local & remote) for site investigations as needed. Travel is estimated to be up to 25% yearly (occasional overnight travel).


  • Ability to stand or walk for long periods during site visits, including the ability to kneel, crouch, or stoop when inspecting sites.


  • Ability to lift and carry materials/equipment up to 25 pounds.


  • Willingness and ability to work outdoors in a range of weather conditions (heat, rain, wind, cold) for extended periods of time.


  • Ability to sit at a workstation and use a computer for extended periods of time (up to 8 hours/day). Additional hours may be required based on project needs.


  • Manual dexterity to use a computer mouse, keyboard, and other tools.


  • Visual acuity to read and interpret detailed drawings and technical documents.


  • Ability to communicate effectively in-person and via electronic means.


Additional Information:

  • This position is based in our Denver, CO office on a hybrid schedule, typically in the office 3 days/week.


  • This position is scheduled for full-time work (40 hours/week) with a typical schedule of 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday. Additional hours may be required based on project needs.


  • Regular travel for field visits.


The salary range for this position is $150,000 - $190,000. Compensation may vary and is not limited to the stated range; offers will be determined based on a combination of an individual's experience, skill set, certifications, and educational background.

About Tetra Tech

Tetra Tech, Inc. is an American engineering services company that provides consulting, engineering, program management, and construction management services. The company serves a range of industries, including water, environment, infrastructure, resource management, energy, and international development. Tetra Tech was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Pasadena, California. The company operates in over 50 countries and has more than 20,000 employees.
Learn more about Tetra Tech
Size
21,000 employees
Market Cap
$7.9 billion
Industry
Net Income
$178.9 million
Founded
1966
5 Year Trend
+6.9%
Revenue
$2.3 billion
NASDAQ

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