Principal Geotechnical Engineer

About the role

Tetra Tech is adding a Principal Geotechnical Engineer to our team based in Denver, CO. Join us to make a real difference.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.

  Requirements

  • 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.

  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.
  • 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).
  • 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.

  Benefits

  Comprehensive and market-competitive benefits. Merit-based financial rewards. Flexibility and company-wide commitment to work/life balance. Collaborative team atmosphere that values the contributions of all employees. Learning and development opportunities for ongoing professional growth.

  Pay

  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.

  Schedule

  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.