Geotechnical Engineer Department Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Geotechnical Engineer – Department Manager
Job Description

The Geotechnical Department Manager will lead and expand a regional geotechnical engineering practice, overseeing technical delivery, staff development, and client relationships across a multi-state footprint. This role combines deep geotechnical and civil engineering expertise with strong leadership and business acumen to ensure projects are delivered efficiently, safely, and to the highest quality standards while maintaining exceptional client satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a regional geotechnical engineering practice across a multi-state region, with particular focus on Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas.
• Oversee the technical delivery of geotechnical projects from initial investigation through design, reporting, and construction support.
• Provide high-level geotechnical engineering expertise related to soil behavior, foundations, and ground improvement to support diverse project types.
• Manage and develop a team of engineers, field staff, and technicians, typically supervising at least four direct reports.
• Coach, mentor, and retain staff by providing clear direction, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Direct and oversee field investigations and data collection activities, including drone-supported surveys and site assessments.
• Review and approve technical analyses, calculations, reports, and recommendations to ensure accuracy, quality, and compliance with applicable standards.
• Apply expertise in TBR (to-be-removed / treatment-based remediation) and soil mitigation to develop practical and cost-effective solutions.
• Provide guidance on the design and assessment of retaining structures and other geotechnical systems.
• Serve as a client-facing engineering leader, building and maintaining strong relationships with existing and prospective clients.
• Present findings, recommendations, and technical concepts clearly to clients, internal teams, and other stakeholders.
• Actively participate in business development efforts, including identifying opportunities, supporting proposals, and helping to win new work.
• Balance hands-on technical work with strategic leadership responsibilities, ensuring both project and practice-level goals are met.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including materials testing, environmental, and construction professionals, to deliver integrated project solutions.
• Lead both office-based and field operations, ensuring coordination, safety, and effective communication across all project phases.
• Contribute to the strategic growth of the geotechnical practice by identifying new markets, services, and process improvements.
• Maintain professional licensure and stay current with industry standards, best practices, and emerging technologies in geotechnical engineering.

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.
• Professional Engineer (PE) or Professional Geologist (PG) license required.
• 10+ years of geotechnical engineering experience, including significant project and technical leadership.
• Proven geotechnical engineering expertise, including soil and foundation analysis, design, and problem-solving.
• Experience with TBR (to-be-removed / treatment-based remediation) and soil mitigation methods.
• Working knowledge of retaining structures, including analysis and design considerations.
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing a team of at least 4 employees, including engineers, field staff, and technicians.
• Proven ability to coach, develop, and retain staff in a consulting or project-driven environment.
• Experience overseeing field investigations and technical data collection, including drone-supported field activities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present technical information clearly to clients and internal teams.
• Demonstrated ability to lead both office staff and field operations effectively.
• Experience balancing deep technical responsibilities with team leadership and business considerations.
• Background in civil engineering and exposure to project management and construction-related activities.
• Experience working within a consulting environment, including managing multiple projects and clients.

• Multi-state geotechnical leadership experience, ideally with oversight across 10–15 or more states.
• Regional experience in the Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas markets or similar high-growth regions.
• Experience scaling or building teams and service lines within a consulting or professional services environment.
• Comfort interfacing directly with clients, leading meetings, and representing the geotechnical practice in external forums.
• Ability to contribute to strategic planning, market development, and long-term growth initiatives.
• Strong business acumen with an understanding of how technical decisions impact project budgets, schedules, and client satisfaction.
• Demonstrated success in helping to win work through proposal support, relationship building, and delivering high-quality project outcomes.
• Interest in working on diversified projects across multiple markets and geographies.
• Motivation to step into a visible leadership role that values both technical excellence and people leadership.

This position offers a hybrid work environment with a mix of office, field, and client site responsibilities. The role involves regional travel to support multi-state oversight, project visits, and client meetings. You will work in a collaborative setting alongside cross-functional teams such as materials testing, environmental, and other technical disciplines. The position is a leadership role with both strategic and hands-on involvement, providing high visibility, direct influence on practice growth, and exposure to a wide variety of projects and geographies. The organization emphasizes a supportive, team-oriented culture that values technical excellence, client service, and professional development, and offers strong compensation with a guaranteed bonus component.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Tulsa, OK.

The pay range for this position is $130000.00 - $150000.00/yr.

- 401k Program - PTO and Holiday - Health and Dental

This is a fully onsite position in Tulsa,OK.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 14, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.