Principal Geotechnical Engineer

Principal Geotechnical Engineer

Tetra Tech is adding a Principal Geotechnical Engineer to our team based in Denver, CO.

At Tetra Tech, we are Leading with Science to solve the world's most complex challenges. Our industry-leading experts in engineering and consulting are committed to driving positive change in communities around the world. For 60 years, we have been at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. Today we stand as a market leader, offering cutting-edge solutions in water, environment, energy, and international development. Our work has improved more than 625 million lives around the world.

Join Tetra Tech to make a real difference. Our work leverages cutting-edge technologies, advanced analytics, and the expertise of world-class scientists and engineers to create meaningful change around the world. Join our focused dam and reservoir practice in Denver to discover your full potential – join us to advance your career while leaving a lasting legacy. This office is leading solutions to critical water-rights issues within the State of Colorado. A true opportunity to be part of dam design and construction.

We are seeking a Principal Geotechnical Engineer with expertise in dams and water-resources infrastructure to lead our geotechnical practice. In this senior technical role, you will work within our multi-disciplinary team supporting dams, reservoirs, and water-resources projects for federal, municipal, and state clients. Responsibilities include leading technical planning, design, analysis, investigations, construction support, and project oversight for new and existing dams. As the technical lead, you will lead and mentor a team of geotechnical engineers, develop creative solutions, and ensure high-quality delivery of projects. There is room for significant career growth in this position, depending on your passion and expertise.

The following duties are essential to this role. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions:

• 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.
• Develop and review design drawings, specifications, and geotechnical reports, ensuring technical accuracy, clarity, and compliance with regulations and standards.
• 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.

Required Qualifications:

• 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.

Preferred 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. Travel is estimated to be up to 25% yearly (occasional overnight travel).
• 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). Additional hours may be required based on project needs.
• 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.

Additional Information:

• 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.
• Regular travel for field visits.
• 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.

The perks of working at Tetra Tech include:

• 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.

Tetra Tech is the leader in water, environment, and sustainable infrastructure, providing high-end consulting and engineering services for projects worldwide. With 30,000 employees working together, Tetra Tech provides clear solutions to complex problems by Leading with Science® to address the entire water cycle, protect and restore the environment, design sustainable and resilient infrastructure, and support the clean energy transition.

Tetra Tech is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital or familial status, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. Tetra Tech is a VEVRAA federal contractor and we request priority referral of veterans.

We invite applications from all interested parties.