Branch Manager

Branch Manager

At UES, we're a team of more than 4,000 engineers, scientists, geologists, inspectors, technicians, and drillers united by a shared purpose—to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. As a national leader in geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, and materials testing and inspection, we collaborate on transformative projects across transportation, energy, water, healthcare, and more.

Position Overview

UES is seeking a Branch Manager for our Augusta, GA office. This is a rare and high-visibility leadership opportunity for an experienced technical expert and people leader to directly impact business growth, technical excellence, and team development within one of the fastest-growing AEC firms in the United States.

As the leader and face of UES in Augusta, your dual focus will be on ensuring technical excellence and driving business development to significantly increase our market share and acquire new clientele. You will be tasked with fostering a culture of accountability and client satisfaction, spearheading long-term growth with the support of a national network of UES experts.

If you have deep knowledge of Geotechnical Engineering and/or Construction Materials Testing (CMT), and you're ready to lead a dedicated technical team while shaping the future of our growing Augusta branch, we want to talk to you!

Responsibilities

• Seller-Doer Leadership: Manage the branch's technical deliverables while actively leading relationship-building and business development to identify and secure opportunities in this rapidly developing market.
• P&L and Financial Management: Collaborate closely with the Atlanta support team to master and manage all P&L responsibilities, budgeting, forecasting, and optimizing resource allocation.
• Operational & Cultural Stabilization: Take ownership of stabilizing the branch's operations and reputation, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering a positive, high-accountability work environment that attracts and retains talent.
• Team Development: Lead, mentor, and empower the diverse technical team, focusing on technical excellence, employee development, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Strategic Planning: Play a key role in regional strategic planning, promoting the UES brand, and ensuring our commitment to quality and integrity is reflected in every client interaction.

Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum of 5 years' experience in Geotechnical Engineering, Materials Testing, or Civil Engineering
• Licensure: Professional Engineer (P.E.) or Engineer in Training (EIT) is highly preferred
• Team Leadership: Strong leadership and team management skills, with a proven ability to motivate, guide, and develop a small team for high performance.
• Problem-Solving: Exceptional adaptability and problem-solving skills, with a strategic ability to identify inefficiencies and implement effective solutions.
• Financial Acumen: While financial management experience is a plus, candidates must demonstrate a strong willingness to learn and collaborate closely with the Atlanta office support team to master financial and P&L processes.
• Relationship Building: Highly effective communication and relationship-building skills are essential.
• Business Development Focus: Must possess the ability to develop key political and business connections locally to identify and secure opportunities in a smaller, rapidly developing market.

Travel Requirements

• This position requires occasional travel, approximately 10% to 20% of the time, to support business objectives and client engagements. Travel may be both scheduled and on short notice, depending on project needs. Destinations typically include job sites, field locations, or regional offices, where work may be conducted in outdoor or operational environments. Adherence to all company safety protocols and use of PPE is required during travel and on-site work.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

This position operates in a hybrid work environment, requiring flexibility to work effectively from both a professional office and work site setting.

• On-Site Office Requirements:
  • Work is performed at a desk for extended periods using a computer, phone, and standard office equipment in a climate-controlled office environment.
  • Regular in-person communication with team members, clients, and stakeholders is required.
  • Physical demands may include sitting for long durations, occasional standing, walking, bending, and lifting of materials up to 15 pounds.
• Field Environment:
  • Work at outdoor sites including wetlands, forests, grasslands, construction zones, and undeveloped land.
  • Travel on foot across uneven, rugged, or obstructed terrain, sometimes in areas inaccessible by vehicle.
  • Exposure to varying weather conditions including heat, cold, humidity, rain, or sun.
  • Possible presence of insects, animals, or natural and man-made hazards in field environments.
• Physical Requirements:
  • Ability to lift and carry between 35–75 lbs. of equipment or samples over distances up to 75 feet.
  • Ability to stand, walk, drive, and operate lab and field equipment for extended periods.
  • Ability to bend, twist, reach, stoop, kneel, climb, and balance as needed during both lab and fieldwork.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written formats in varied environments, often while wearing PPE.
  • Ability to use sensory capabilities to see (including close and distant vision, color perception, depth perception, and focus) and smell for observation and safety purposes.

EEO Statement

UES is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is proud to recruit the most qualified candidates. Please see our full EEO Statement at the bottom of the page here