Lead Geotechnical Engineer

This Opportunity 

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead Geotechnical Engineer for our geotechnical team based in Tempe, AZ. Be involved in projects with our Civil, Ground Engineering and Materials; Earth and Environment Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our client’s objectives and solves their challenges. 

Provides geotechnical engineering assistance and guidance for a geotechnical team executing small to large field programs in transportation, power, property and buildings, and mining.  Tasks may include managing and providing support on diverse projects with services that include an emphasis on geohazard identification, field reconnaissance, managing subsurface investigation programs, engineering design, construction support, and geohazard monitoring and geotechnical instrumentation.Generates accurate and concise reports and documentation regarding subsurface investigations and geotechnical recommendations. Ensures that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, safety, and functionality. 

Your Impact 

• With minimal assistance, collect, compile, and analyze data from the physical work site, soil/rock samples, surveys, GIS data, subsurface information, maps, geotechnical data, and other matrices for project development, design, and construction.  
• Maintain quality control standards and procedures for accurate and precise measurements, engineering analyses of rock and soil data, and reporting. 
• Perform professional geotechnical engineering work and assist with proposed and existing site conditions, including subsurface investigations, soil foundation engineering, settlement analysis, soil erosion, geological hazards, groundwater, and slope stability to determine conformance with applicable rules, standards, construction, or operating permits for commercial, industrial, building, environmental, infrastructure, and transportation projects. 
• Participate in incorporating advanced modeling techniques, concept development, design requirements, and operating strategies to account for the safety and functionality of end-users, transportation systems, structures, and the incorporation of future-ready solutions with geotechnical engineering design standards. 
• Work as part of a cross-functional team of engineers, planners, and scientific professionals to execute project work. 
• Verify the characteristics of a site, providing technical assistance on whether any various environmental, soil surface/subsurface, stress-bearing factors, erosion, settlement, and slope will pose a safety risk to the proposed project. 
• Prepare data and visualizations such as tables, charts, accurate reports, sketches, calculations, and illustrations for the interpretation or presentation of data, findings, or analyses. 
• Assist with development and scoping of small- to medium-sized projects. 
• Conduct geotechnical engineering studies and surveys to gain further information on a particular design, issue, and/or to plan for future needs. 
• Assist in the analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of data obtained during field investigations, offering input with developing action plans for low to mid-level risk mitigation activities. 
• Assist with providing direction and technical guidance to junior staff. 
• Assist in the preparation and implementation of site Health and Safety Plans (HASPs).  
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures. 
• Interact with regulatory agencies, subcontractors, and clients in a confident and professional manner.
• Remain current in latest civil engineering techniques and practices.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs. 

Who You Are 

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering, or closely related discipline. 
• Minimum 7 years of relevant post-education experience in engineering discipline and prior geotechnical design experience. 
• Professional Engineer license in Arizona, or ability to obtain in 6 months.  
• Technical knowledge of geotechnical engineering, including: design of deep foundations, shallow foundations, evaluating slope stability, earthquake engineering, retaining wall design, earth retention, rock mechanics, settlement of compressible soils, ground improvement techniques, support of excavation, dewatering, and the application to permitting and project work-related issues. 
• Experience with infrastructure planning, design, and construction management; including rehabilitation and new design. 
• Sound understanding of the disciplines of rock and soil mechanics to investigate subsurface and geologic conditions to design and build foundations, earth structures, and pavement sub-grades. 
• Ability to coordinate with agency regulators and understand requirements. 
• Knowledge of relevant remediation, permitting, improvement, and construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements. 
• Capable interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience. 
• Effective self-leadership with attention to detail, results orientation, and managing multiple priorities in a dynamic work environment. 
• Ability to learn new techniques, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, follow instruction, work independently, and comply with company policies. 
• Proficiency with technical writing, office automation, software, technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools. 
• Ability to work independently and provide guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Ability to assertively direct others in the field such as subcontractors and others to consistently complete tasks safely and efficiently.
• Experience with discipline-specific design software (i.e., SLIDE, Settle3, SlopeW, SeepW, LPILE, Plaxis, FLAC). 
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solution. 
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies. 
• Ability to work a schedule conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek. 
• Occasional travel will be required depending on project-specific requirements.
• Must successfully complete and pass WSP’s Motor Vehicle screening. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s or Doctorate Degree in geotechnical engineering, or related field. 
• Experience performing numerical modeling related to geotechnical design. 
• Experience managing and delivering projects on time and budget. 
• Basic First Aid and Adult CPR training desired. 

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