Principal Geotechnical Engineer - Transportation

About the Role

Principals ensure that overall quality and performance goals are achieved, delegating responsibilities to Senior Project Managers and stepping in where the highest value can be added. They act as problem solvers and final reviewers for projects while maintaining a positive customer service attitude and aligning with ECS Core Values. Primary responsibilities include pursuing and executing geotechnical projects in the transportation sector across the northern Mid‑Atlantic region, covering highways, bridges, and rail. The role provides technical expertise and supports Geotechnical staff both within the branch and the region, and involves hosting or attending meetings with clients and ECS staff to deliver technical solutions. Additional duties at the office and regional levels involve overseeing projects, reviewing technical reports, preparing and reviewing proposals, assisting with department management and P&L oversight, driving business development, supporting hiring decisions, and leading and coaching junior staff members. Department‑specific responsibilities include weekly client interfacing and marketing to maintain a database of 300‑500 clients, leading community and committee engagements, mentoring Associate Principals, identifying training needs, and ensuring Senior Project Managers handle all project aspects with final review and signature to guarantee accuracy and timeliness. Productivity tasks encompass final review and stamping of reports, senior invoice approval, ALF oversight, and ensuring project deadlines are met. The Principal hosts weekly meetings with Senior Project Managers, attends department manager meetings, promotes ECS safety culture, reviews and signs contracts and proposals per policy, and provides performance evaluations and timecard approvals for direct reports. • Ensure quality and performance goals are met across all projects. • Delegate tasks to Senior Project Managers and intervene for highest value. • Act as problem solver and final reviewer for geotechnical projects. • Pursue and execute transportation sector projects (highway, bridge, rail) in the northern Mid‑Atlantic. • Provide technical expertise and support to Geotechnical staff regionally. • Host or attend client and internal meetings to deliver technical solutions. • Mentor Associate Principals and participate in their designation review. • Oversee projects, conduct technical report reviews, and prepare proposals. • Assist department management, oversee P&L, and drive business development initiatives. • Support hiring decisions and coach junior staff members. • Interface weekly with 300‑500 clients, market services, and lead community engagement events. • Identify departmental training needs and mentor staff accordingly. • Perform final technical reviews, signatures, and ensure deliverables are correct and on time. • Review and approve reports, invoices, and ALF assignments as a final backstop. • Lead weekly meetings with Senior Project Managers and attend department manager meetings. • Promote and practice ECS safety policies and culture. • Review and sign contracts and proposals per Signature Authority policy. • Provide performance evaluations and approve timecards for direct reports.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸project oversight
• ▸technical review
• ▸proposal development
• ▸client interaction
• ▸business development
• ▸mentoring staff

What You Bring

Qualifications require at least 12 years of related experience, Associate Principal designation (or Board exception), a Bachelor’s or Master’s in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geology, or a similar field, and a Professional Engineer or Professional Geologist license in the relevant states. Candidates must demonstrate technical excellence, leadership, safety, strong project management, communication, risk management, business development performance, software proficiency for geotechnical analysis, and established relationships in the transportation sector of Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and/or New Jersey. The salary range is $125,000‑$200,000 per year, adjusted for location and individual qualifications. • Require 12+ years of relevant experience and Associate Principal designation. • Hold a B.S./M.S. in Civil, Geological Engineering, or Geology and a PE or PG license in relevant states. • Demonstrate leadership, risk management, business development, and geotechnical software proficiency. • Maintain strong relationships and knowledge of transportation agencies in MD, WV, PA, and NJ.

Requirements

• ▸12+ years
• ▸associate principal
• ▸pe license
• ▸civil engineering
• ▸geotechnical software
• ▸leadership

Benefits

• Salary range $125,000‑$200,000, based on location and qualifications.

Work Environment

Field