Geotechnical Senior Project Engineer - Special Projects Group

Senior Project Engineers are responsible to ensure that all required tasks on a project from proposal to final invoice payment are completed either by themselves or by subordinates. Perform consultation and attend meetings as needed. Mentor junior staff and assign training as needed. Present a positive customer service attitude and understanding of ECS Core Values.  

Responsibilities:

• Primarily involved with overseeing the preparation and review of geotechnical reports and geostructural designs from junior staff with a strong commitment to meeting project deadlines 

• Management of geotechnical engineering projects, which will consist of performing boring layouts, obtaining utility clearances, supervising drill rigs, performing in-situ testing, classifying soils, determining appropriate laboratory tests, and preparing geotechnical engineering reports 

• Management of geostructural design projects including earth retention systems such as MSE walls, soil nail walls, pile and lagging walls, temporary support of excavation, deep foundation elements, ground improvement and/or dewatering 

• Both prepare and oversee the preparation and review of geotechnical and CMT proposals by junior staff 

• Periodically oversee CMT projects with daily report review and assist junior staff with resolution of issues and training of field staff 

• Host or attend project meetings with clients to follow up on delivered reports and provide technical solutions as necessary 

• Mentor, train, and develop junior-level staff 

• Collaborate with other managers to help make staffing decisions 

Expectations In This Job

• Business Development: Interface with clients on a weekly basis. Market our services to maintain and further develop the client database. Anticipate 200-400 clients. Plan on one event per week and deeper involvement in at least one organization. Sit on a board, run a committee, and seek leadership. Estimate 4 hours per week. 

• Training: Use geotechnical software and/or perform calculations to verify others and/or support your recommendations. Exercise judgment and take ownership of the completion and overall success of projects. 

• Technical: Provide training for all subordinates. Make sure that technicians and Staff and Project Managers are technically qualified to do the work assigned. 

• Productivity: Maintain an acceptable level of billability as directed by your supervisor. 

• Project Management: Senior review of field reports 2x daily. Responsible for all invoicing and collections on all projects. Ensure contracts are in place, pay applications are sent, and that invoices are correct. Address issues of profitability and billability. Ensure that all projects and proposals for yourself and your subordinates are delivered on time to clients. Cleaning up ALF is your responsibility. 

• Meetings: Host weekly meetings with your Staff PMs and Project Managers. Address workload balance. Distribute any information from meetings with Principal. Meet weekly with your Principal to discuss overall operations and goals/performance. Coordinate project-specific meetings as needed with other staff and act as main point of contact with clients on projects. 

• Safety: Participates, practices and promotes ECS safety policies and culture. Provide feedback on site safety planning. Comply with safety policies. Participate in field audits and safety investigations. Attend required safety meetings. Complete assigned safety training. Promptly report safety incidents and near misses. Stop work and notify supervisor of any safety hazards and violations. 

• Growth & Financial Management: Proposals & Contracts: Perform preliminary review of proposals and contracts for training and developmental purposes. 
• People Management: Plan to sit with junior staff to review project tasks and assignments and set step-by-step goals. Check in daily with your staff to ensure progress is being made and review work frequently. Provide constructive and timely performance evaluations with your direct reports in support of their professional development and career progression. Review and approve timecards for your direct reports weekly. 

• 5+ years of related experience
• Bachelor and/or Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geology, or similar is required.  
• A Professional Engineer (P.E.) license is required in each of the state(s) in which you work, or you must have the ability to obtain a local license through reciprocity within three months of hire date.
• If driving for, or on behalf of, any ECS subsidiary, a valid driver's license is required.  
• Excellent oral and written communication skills 

• Strong project management, consulting, and business development skills 

• Extensive knowledge of geotechnical and construction materials principles and applications 

• Knowledge of and established relationships in the local market are preferred 

• Ability to build a team and foster mentorship, development, and training 

• Strong knowledge of geotechnical-focused software 

• Experience with geostructural design projects. 

• Experience with projects in the power and energy sector including generation, transmission, substations, and/or battery storage. 

• Experience with projects in the transportation sector including highway and/or rail. 

• Strong leadership and decision-making skills 

• High-level understanding of prioritizing and urgency of work in the consulting industry 

• Review and provide feedback of work performed by junior staff 

The expected pay range for this role and location is $120,000 - $150,000/year. The final agreed-upon compensation will be determined based on specific location and other individual qualifications.

ECS Group of Companies (ECS) was founded in 1988 with the goal to raise the standards of professional engineering consulting. Today, we are a leader in geotechnical, construction materials, environmental and facilities consulting services. We are employee-owned with more than 3,000 employees in 100+ offices and testing facilities coast to coast. ECS is currently ranked #60 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms (April 2026), #148 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms (October 2025) and #50 in Zweig Group’s Hot Firm List (May 2025). For additional information about ECS, visit: www.ecslimited.com.

ECS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To learn more, click here.