Geotechnical Senior Engineer

General Responsibilities

Terracon is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer with demonstrated experience supporting dams, levees, flood control, and related water resources infrastructure in Northern and Central California. This role is intended for a seller-doer and technical leader who can help grow and deliver geotechnical services for embankment dams, levee systems, flood walls, pump stations, spillways, canals, reservoirs, and other critical civil infrastructure. This position can be based out of our Sacramento, Lodi, Concord, or San Jose offices!

The ideal candidate will understand the technical, regulatory, and construction challenges associated with flood protection and water resources projects in California, including work for public agencies, reclamation and flood control districts, water districts, transportation agencies, and infrastructure owners. Experience coordinating with or preparing work products for agencies such as the California Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD), California Department of Water Resources (DWR), Central Valley Flood Protection Board (CVFPB), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, or local flood control agencies is strongly preferred.

In this role, you will provide engineering and consulting services for existing and proposed dam, levee, and flood risk reduction projects. Responsibilities may include leading geotechnical field investigations, developing subsurface exploration programs, interpreting geologic and geotechnical data, performing engineering analyses, preparing design recommendations, developing plans and specifications, supporting construction observation and materials testing, and preparing or reviewing technical reports. The position also includes client development, proposal preparation, cost estimating, project management, mentoring, and senior technical review.

• Lead safety efforts for project teams and ensure field and office work follows Terracon safety rules, procedures, and expectations.
• Serve as senior technical lead or project manager for geotechnical investigations and design support.
• Develop and implement subsurface exploration programs and construction-phase observation programs.
• Conceptualize investigation and design approaches for major phases of large projects or retain overall responsibility for the geotechnical work on moderate-scope projects.
• Plan, schedule, conduct, and coordinate engineering work involving conventional and complex geotechnical practices, including projects with difficult ground conditions, seepage concerns, seismic hazards, phasing constraints, or constructability challenges.
• Prepare, review, and sign/seal geotechnical reports, memoranda, calculations, specifications, and construction recommendations.
• Provide senior technical review for analyses, calculations, reports, plans, specifications, and construction submittals related to dams, levees, and flood infrastructure.
• Support business development by maintaining client relationships, identifying opportunities, preparing scopes and fees, supporting interviews, and coordinating with Terracon offices across Northern and Central California.
• Mentor and train staff engineers, geologists, and project managers in geotechnical investigation, analysis, design, quality, risk identification, and client communication.
• Communicate complex engineering issues clearly to technical and non-technical clients, regulators, project teams, contractors, and internal stakeholders.

• Develop site characterization reports that summarize geologic and geotechnical conditions, identify difficult ground conditions, and document risks that could affect design, permitting, construction cost, or schedule.
• Prepare geotechnical design recommendations for levee improvements, embankment raises, seepage berms, cutoff walls, relief wells, filters, drains, stability improvements, and seepage mitigation measures.
• Provide geotechnical recommendations for dam and reservoir facilities, including embankment slopes, outlet works, spillway improvements, access roads, retaining structures, foundations, and earthwork.
• Evaluate…