Principal Geotechnical Engineer

Principal Geotechnical Engineer

San Francisco Bay Area

An established national engineering consultancy is seeking a Principal Geotechnical Engineer to help lead and expand its geotechnical practice across Northern California. This is an opportunity to join a firm known for tackling some of the region's most technically challenging infrastructure, transportation, development, environmental, and resilience-focused projects while offering a career path that values both technical leadership and business impact. The organization has built a reputation around solving complex geotechnical and environmental challenges through innovation, client advocacy, and long-term partnerships.

This role is ideal for a senior geotechnical professional who enjoys serving as a trusted advisor to clients, mentoring engineers, and leading high-profile projects from pursuit through delivery. You will be responsible for providing technical leadership, driving client relationships, supporting strategic growth initiatives, and helping shape the future direction of a well-established geotechnical team.

The successful candidate will lead multidisciplinary project teams on a diverse portfolio of work that may include transportation infrastructure, transit systems, commercial development, waterfront projects, seismic design, ground improvement, earth retention systems, foundations, slope stability, and other complex geotechnical challenges commonly encountered throughout the Bay Area. The firm's regional projects have included work involving seismic hazards, liquefaction evaluation, critical infrastructure, and major public works initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as Principal-in-Charge, Project Director, or Technical Lead on major geotechnical assignments.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective clients.
• Provide expert geotechnical consultation and quality oversight for design and investigation programs.
• Lead project pursuits, proposals, interviews, and business development efforts.
• Guide and mentor engineers, geologists, and project managers across the organization.
• Support growth of the Northern California geotechnical practice.
• Review and seal engineering documents as Engineer of Record where appropriate.
• Collaborate with environmental, civil, construction, and multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Contribute to industry organizations, technical publications, conferences, and thought leadership initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• California Geotechnical Engineer (GE) license strongly preferred.
• 12+ years of geotechnical consulting experience.
• Demonstrated success leading complex projects and managing client relationships.
• Strong technical expertise in investigation, analysis, design, and construction support.
• Proven ability to develop business, win work, and grow client accounts.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

Why Join?

This organization offers the resources and reach of a national firm while maintaining a collaborative environment where technical excellence is highly valued. Engineers have the opportunity to pursue either a deeply technical career path or combine technical leadership with business development and practice growth. The company invests heavily in professional development and is recognized for fostering long-term careers built around mentorship, innovation, and meaningful project work.

For experienced geotechnical leaders looking to influence major projects across Northern California while helping grow an established and respected practice, this represents a standout opportunity.

LVI Associates exists to enable exceptional careers around the world; we connect exceptional talent, with exceptional opportunities.

We believe that every professional should benefit from the advice of a trusted partner throughout their career.

We provide that partnership to mid to senior level professionals within the Energy, Environmental & Infrastructure spaces through our network of micro-specialist consultants.

Each team within LVI Associates focuses on a specialist area of Energy & Infrastructure. I specialise in sourcing and placing senior level candidates within the bridges and highway construction spaces.

Make LVI Associates your career partner; ensure your career journey is exceptional.