Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Senior Geotechnical Engineer

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Senior Geotechnical Engineer for our Birmingham, Alabama office. This role provides the opportunity to support a growing portfolio of projects throughout the Southeastern United States, delivering geotechnical engineering services for transportation infrastructure, power and energy facilities, and industrial/commercial developments. The selected candidate will play a key role in project delivery, technical leadership, and client engagement across Alabama and the broader Southeast.

• Lead and perform geotechnical engineering analyses and design for:
• Transportation projects (roadways, bridges, embankments, slopes)
• Power and energy facilities (generation, substations, transmission corridors)
• Industrial and commercial site developments
• Plan, coordinate, and manage subsurface exploration programs, including drilling, sampling, laboratory testing, and field investigations.
• Prepare and oversee geotechnical engineering deliverables, including:
• Geotechnical data reports
• Interpretive reports
• Foundation and earthwork design recommendations
• Perform analyses and design for:
• Shallow and deep foundations
• Slope stability and retaining structures
• Settlement and ground improvement solutions
• Pavement and subgrade evaluations
• Provide construction-phase support, including:
• Field observations and inspections
• Design reviews and responses to RFIs
• Construction recommendations and troubleshooting
• Apply sound engineering judgment to evaluate subsurface conditions and develop practical, cost-effective solutions.
• Lead and mentor junior engineers and technical staff, ensuring adherence to QA/QC procedures and technical excellence.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams across transportation, civil, environmental, and power sectors.
• Support business development, including:
• Proposal development
• Scope definition and fee estimates
• Client communication and relationship management
• Manage multiple assignments while maintaining schedule, budget, and quality objectives.

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering with geotechnical focus (Master's preferred).
• 5 to 7+ years of experience in geotechnical engineering.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) (Alabama or ability to obtain within 6 months).
• Demonstrated experience supporting:
• Transportation infrastructure projects
• Power/energy or utility projects
• Industrial and commercial development projects
• Experience with:
• Subsurface investigation planning and execution
• Geotechnical analysis and design
• Preparation of technical reports and contract documents
• Working knowledge of applicable industry standards (e.g., AASHTO, ASTM, FHWA).
• Ability to work independently and serve as a task or project lead.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience delivering projects in the Southeastern United States, with Alabama experience strongly preferred.
• Project management skills with experience leading teams on complex or multi-project programs.
• Client focus with experience in client management and effective project/program delivery skills.
• Possess strong verbal communication, writing, analytical, and organizational skills combined with a positive attitude and an ability to work both independently and within groups, including with technical peers across the company, client contacts, and subcontractors.
• Familiarity with state DOT requirements (e.g., ALDOT, TDOT, GDOT).
• Experience supporting power and utility clients or heavy industrial facilities.
• Experience with geotechnical software (e.g., SLIDE, LPILE, Open Ground/gINT).
• Strong understanding of regional soil and rock conditions across the Southeast.