Principal Geotechnical Engineer, Construction Materials Testing (CMT)

What You'll Do:

ECS is hiring a Principal Engineer to provide technical leadership across geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing (CMT) work in the Pittsburgh market. This is a senior technical and strategic role focused on final technical review, risk reduction, staff mentorship, laboratory oversight, and client-facing consulting across a portfolio of public and private sector projects. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Serve as final technical reviewer and eventually Engineer-of-Record for geotechnical reports, CMT reports, and supporting calculations, maintaining clear defensible recommendations. 

• Provide senior oversight on subsurface exploration programs, including borings, test pits, sampling, and field documentation as needed to support report conclusions. 

• Review and guide technical deliverables such as geotechnical engineering reports, foundation recommendations, pavement evaluations, earthwork and site grading recommendations, and construction observation documentation. 

• Lead technical guidance for CMT operations, including interpretation of test results and recommendations tied to specifications, ASTM/AASHTO standards, and project requirements. 

• Support laboratory management and quality systems, including procedures, calibration awareness, documentation practices, and corrective actions tied to CMT testing programs. 

• Partner with project managers to evaluate technical scope, assumptions, and risks during proposal development and project execution. 

• Mentor and develop engineering staff through technical coaching, review feedback, and structured training tied to field, lab, and reporting workflows. 

• Participate in client meetings to provide technical solutions, communicate recommendations, and support project issue resolution. 

• Contribute to local business development by supporting key client relationships and identifying opportunities aligned with ECS service lines. 

 

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What We're Looking For:

Basic qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering/Management, Materials Science Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Geology, or a closely related field. 

• Active Professional Engineer (P.E.) or Professional Geologist (P.G.) license. 

• 12+ years of experience in a similar engineering consulting environment supporting geotechnical engineering and/or construction materials testing. 

• Demonstrated experience serving as a final reviewer for technical reports and deliverables (including review of supporting calculations). 

• Proven ability to lead teams, mentor technical staff, and work directly with clients in a consulting setting. 

Preferred qualifications 

• Professional certifications such as ACI, NICET, and/or ICC. 

• Experience supporting business development, including marketing of services to agencies, owners, contractors, developers, or similar client groups. 

• Familiarity with local market conditions, typical construction practices, and regional geotechnical considerations in Western Pennsylvania. 

Who We Are:

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 building science + infrastructure consulting services. We are employee-owned with more than 3,00 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 #38 in Zweig Group’s Hot Firm List (June 2026). For additional information about ECS, visit: www.ecslimited.com.

 

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