Engineering Manager II; Geotechnical Engineer Manager

This is a Full‑time position with the Department of Transportation. The Geotechnical Engineer Manager will lead the geotechnical engineering efforts within the Materials & Surfacing Program, guiding a team of experts responsible for evaluating and shaping the ground beneath South Dakota’s highways, bridges, and transportation structures. The manager ensures the delivery of technically sound guidance that supports the safe, reliable design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure across the state.

The role also provides support for bid letting, design and construction standards, program and project funding, and quality assurance activities within the geotechnical discipline.

• Lead and supervise Geotechnical Engineering Activity staff by defining roles, assigning and prioritizing project workloads, providing daily work direction, and ensuring consistent technical quality in all deliverables.
• Provide effective performance management, coaching, and feedback to promote professional growth and maintain a high functioning work unit.
• Maintain an effective and well‑staffed geotechnical team by coordinating training needs, promoting professional development, and supporting recruitment and retention efforts.
• Provide technical oversight and review of complex or high‑profile geotechnical engineering work; assist in developing and implementing policies and procedures; represent the geotechnical unit in internal and external meetings.
• Deliver expert technical guidance to internal and external customers on all geotechnical engineering topics.

• Foundations design and evaluation, including shallow foundations, deep foundations, drilled shafts, and subsurface improvement techniques.
• Soils engineering, including providing recommendations to roadway and structure designers related to soil behavior in highway construction, evaluation of subgrade conditions, assessment of groundwater influence, and development of soil modification or subsoil improvement methods.
• Geologic engineering, including characterization of soil and rock formations; evaluation of material properties and behavior; identification and interpretation of geologic conditions that influence design or construction; and guidance on proper use, treatment, and accommodation of geologic materials in transportation projects.
• Landslide and rockfall evaluation, rehabilitation, and mitigation design, including assessment of slope stability, rock slide hazards, and long‑term performance of mitigation systems.
• Retaining wall analysis and design, including mechanically stabilized earth walls, cast‑in‑place walls, and other structural geotechnical systems.
• Subsurface investigations, including planning, scoping, and interpretation of drilling, sampling, in situ testing, and geophysical methods.
• Oversight of two statewide geotechnical drill crews who perform subsurface exploration activities and ensure safe, accurate, and efficient data collection.
• Oversight of soils and foundations laboratory technicians who perform geotechnical laboratory testing and ensure accuracy, consistency, and timely reporting of test data.
• Development of geotechnical recommendations for roadway, structure, and maintenance projects, ensuring designs comply with state and federal standards, accepted engineering practices, and SDDOT policies.
• The position requires extensive expertise in geotechnical, soils, and geologic engineering principles, design methodologies, material behavior, and construction practices. The ideal candidate will be capable of leading a diverse technical team, managing complex statewide geotechnical work, and serving as SDDOT’s primary authority in the geotechnical field.
• Work mainly in an office environment with some field inspections.

• Health insurance (low and high deductible plans, including a $0 premium employee–only coverage plan)
• Well‑being program
• Employee assistance program
• Dental and Vision coverage
• Health savings account
• Free basic life insurance policy
• Membership in the South Dakota Retirement System with partial state match
• Paid leave (15 vacation days per year)
• Sick leave (14 days per year)
• Paid…