Sr. Geotechnical Engineer

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 17221
Department: Engineering Department
Opening Date: 10/01/2026
Closing Date: 10/28/2026 11:59 PM Central


Position Description
Position Overview:

The Senior Geotechnical Engineer / Specifications & Standards Coordinator will serve as a senior technical resource for geotechnical engineering and the development, review, and implementation of Harris County design standards, specifications, and technical guidelines. The position will provide geotechnical support for roadway, bridge, drainage, foundation, and other infrastructure projects while coordinating with County staff, consultants, contractors, and other agencies. The position will also lead the continuous improvement of County standards and specifications to reflect current industry practices and lessons learned. The position will lead the Standards and Specifications committee in an ongoing review and revision cycle in order to keep the County's standards and specifications on par with those used by peer organizations.

Job Duties:

The Senior Geotechnical Engineer / Specifications & Standards Coordinator responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Serve as a senior technical resource for geotechnical engineering, design standards, and construction specifications for Harris County projects.
• Lead and/or review geotechnical investigations, analyses, reports, foundation recommendations, earthwork, settlement, slope stability, pavement/subgrade, retaining systems, and other geotechnical work.
• Review consultant plans, calculations, specifications, geotechnical reports, and PS&E packages for technical quality and compliance with applicable standards.
• Lead the development, review, and continuous improvement of Harris County standards, construction specifications, special specifications, design manuals, guidelines, and standard details.
• Research and evaluate new engineering practices, construction materials, technologies, and industry standards and recommend appropriate updates to County standards.
• Lead, in conjunction with other technical staff, the development of Special Specifications and revisions to standards as required in response to lessons learned in Harris County projects and changes in industry standards and practices.
• Provide technical support during design, bidding, and construction, including investigation and resolution of geotechnical and construction-related issues.
• Coordinate with County departments, Precincts, consultants, contractors, TxDOT, HCTRA, and other agencies on geotechnical, specifications, and standards-related matters.
• Manage and provide technical oversight of geotechnical and standards-related consultant services, including scope, schedule, budget, and deliverables.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to engineering and technical staff and conduct training on changes to standards and specifications.
• Prepare and present information sessions to HCED and Precinct staff to bring awareness of changes to standard specifications, design standards, and other relevant documentation.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including emergency or disaster response support.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer


If you need special services or accommodations, please call View phone number on click.appcast.io or email


This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements
Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Engineering Technology, Construction Management, or an equivalent related field needed to meet Licensing requirements of this position.

Experience:

• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible professional engineering experience, including significant geotechnical engineering experience.
• Experience with roadway, bridge, drainage, foundation, pavement, earthwork, or other heavy civil infrastructure projects.
• Experience developing, reviewing, and applying engineering standards, specifications, design manuals, and PS&E packages.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSAs)

• Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.
• Exceptional personal organizational skills, ability to identify and prioritize assigned tasks independently with minimal oversight.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to undertake public speaking roles with ease.
• Exceptional interpersonal and conflict resolution skills, and the ability to deal tactfully with a diverse group of people in a professional manner in a complex organization.
• Ability to exercise flexibility in accommodating shifting priorities, demands, and schedules
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite of applications.
• Experience with eBuilder, Microsoft Power BI, and other similar software packages.
• Valid Texas Driver's License upon hire.
• Ability to drive a county vehicle to various job sites as needed to accomplish tasks and projects.

Interview/Assessment:

• This position may have an assessment as part of the interview process.

Emergency Deployment & Continuity of Operations Requirement:

In accordance with Harris County's Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) Policy, this position is subject to emergency response and deployment protocols. The employee may be designated as supporting a Mission Essential Function (MEF) and must:

• Participate in the classification of departmental staff based on MEF responsibilities.
• Be available for temporary deployment to an alternative work location, role, or telework assignment during emergencies.
• Confirm work assignments with their supervisor before reporting to any worksite during such events.
• Remain flexible in assuming alternative duties as directed to support continuity of County operations.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation, but ONLY the information stated on the application will be used for consideration.
Preferences
Education:

• Master's Degree in Civil Engineering or a related field.

Experience:

• Ten (10) years of professional geotechnical engineering experience.
• Experience with TxDOT, Harris County, HCTRA, Harris County Flood Control District, or other public-sector infrastructure agencies.
• Experience with bridge foundations, drilled shafts, deep foundations, settlement, slope stability, pavement/subgrade, and earthwork.
• Experience developing or revising public-sector engineering standards and specifications.
• Experience managing consultants and multidisciplinary engineering teams.

General Information
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

Full-Time | Regular | 40 hours per week.

Subject to early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays at times, depending upon the project or workload.

Salary : Commensurate experience, based on 26 pay periods.

Physical Demands and Environmental Exposure :

Most assignments will be performed in an office, meeting, or operations command center environment, though some fieldwork may be required. This position is subject to both indoor and outdoor environmental conditions and may involve exposure to hazards, including moving vehicles, mechanical parts, heat, and chemicals. Extended work hours may be required during the activation of disaster recovery operations for an unspecified duration (varies based on the extent of the event).

This position requires bending, stooping, and lifting up to 50 lbs., as well as frequent walking, standing, sitting, reaching, and ascending/descending stairs. The physical demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

FEATURED BENEFITS :

Medical, vision, and dental insurance.

Wellness.

Professional development opportunities.

Flexible spending accounts.

457 deferred compensation plans.

Retirement pension (TCDRS).

Transportation assistance (Metro Ride Sponsor Program).

Disability and life insurance.

Harris County is a Qualified Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*

* Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
01


Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• None of the above

02


Based on your response to the previous question, please specify your degree and field of study.

• Civil Engineering
• Engineering Technology
• Construction Management
• Other Related Field
• Non-Related Field
• Not Applicable

03


If you selected "Other Related Field" above, please specify your degree or field of study.
04


How many years of progressively responsible professional engineering experience do you have, including significant experience in geotechnical engineering?

• Less than 4 years
• 5 - 7 years
• 8 - 10 years
• 10+ years

05


Do you have professional experience working on roadway, bridge, drainage, foundation, pavement, earthwork, or other heavy civil infrastructure projects?

• Yes
• No

06


Do you have professional experience developing, reviewing, and applying engineering standards, specifications, design manuals, and Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) packages?

• Yes
• No

07


Do you currently hold an active Professional Engineer (PE) license?

• Yes - State of Texas
• Yes - Another U.S. state
• No

08


This position requires a valid Texas Driver's License. Do you currently possess a valid Texas Driver's License?

• Yes, I currently hold a valid Texas Driver's License.
• No, I possess a valid out-of-state Driver's License, but I understand that I must obtain a valid Texas Driver's License before my start date.
• No, I do not currently possess a valid Driver's License.

09


How many plan sets have you signed and sealed over the last 2 years?
10


How many internal design staff have you managed simultaneously?
11


How many consultant teams have you managed simultaneously?
12


How many Clients have you had simultaneously and communicated with directly on a regular basis?
13


Are you proficient in multitasking and switching priorities as needed?

• Yes
• No

14


This position requires in-office work for a minimum of 40 hours per week; is this feasible for you?

• Yes
• No

15


Do you have detailed knowledge of HC, HCFCD, COH, or TXDOT standards and specifications?

• Yes
• No

Required Question