Principal Engineer - Land

Location Walnut Creek, California, United States Stage Experienced  Level Time Full  time

Type Employee Place Hybrid Job  Description Fugro Land Site Screening & Consulting provides geotechnical, geophysical, environmental, and Geo-data consulting services that help clients make informed decisions throughout the project lifecycle, from initial site selection through design and construction. By combining site characterization, geo-risk assessments, ground modeling, and digital analytics, the team identifies potential constraints and opportunities early, reducing uncertainty, minimizing risk, and helping clients deliver safer, more sustainable, and cost-effective infrastructure and development projects.

The Principal Engineer serves as a senior technical leader responsible for the strategic direction, technical excellence, and successful delivery of geotechnical engineering services. This role provides oversight of complex projects, develops and maintains key client relationships, mentors engineering staff, and ensures compliance with applicable regulations, industry standards, and professional engineering practices. The Principal Engineer functions as a trusted advisor to clients, project teams, and company leadership, supporting business growth while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and technical performance.

The position includes interacting with multidisciplinary teams in the planning, investigation, analysis, design, and construction support of public and private infrastructure, transportation, energy, and other commercial projects.

Base Salary range for this job opportunity is $170,000 - $225,000 per year

Job Responsibilities Lead by example and uphold Quality, Health, Safety, Security, and Environmental principles, ensuring employees, clients, communities, and company operations are never knowingly placed ve as Principal-in-Charge and/or Technical Lead for complex geotechnical engineering projects, providing leadership from planning through construction support.

Direct project execution by overseeing schedules, milestones, resources, budgets, forecasting, invoicing, and performance metrics to achieve technical, financial, and contractual objectives.

Oversee geotechnical investigations, field exploration programs, laboratory testing, engineering analyses, design evaluations, and construction-phase services.

Review and approve project execution plans, methodologies, risk assessments, engineering analyses, calculations, reports, specifications, and other deliverables to ensure technical excellence, quality, and compliance with client requirements, company standards, and applicable regulations.

Provide expert guidance on complex geotechnical challenges and drive the application of innovative, practical, and fit-for-purpose engineering solutions.

Lead multidisciplinary project teams by providing technical direction, mentoring, and support to ensure successful project delivery and professional development.

Foster strong client relationships by serving as a trusted advisor and primary technical point of contact, ensuring effective collaboration with clients, project teams, laboratories, and operational stakeholders.

Support business growth through strategic planning, market development, contract negotiations, proposal preparation, client presentations, and participation in interviews and qualifications submissions.

Monitor and improve operational effectiveness, project efficiency, productivity, profitability, and continuous improvement initiatives while maintaining quality and safety standards.

Promote technical excellence through mentorship, training, knowledge sharing, lessons learned, publications, and participation in professional organizations, conferences, and industry forums.

Ensure compliance with company policies, industry standards, professional engineering practices, and local, state, and federal regulations.

Job Requirements Authorized to work in the United States, without restrictions.

Possess a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering or related field of study required. Master’s degree in Geotechnical or related field or PhD desirable.

Have a minimum of 15 years or more of experience in leading and executive complex geotechnical projects. Advanced understanding of soi and rock mechanics, foundation engineering, seismic design, and numerical modeling. Strong knowledge of geologic hazards, construction observation and performance monitoring programs.

Strong business and financial acumen and strategic thinking stills.

Excellent client relationship and stakeholder management ability.

PE and GE license in California required

Additional Qualifications and Professional Competencies desirable.

Demonstrated proficiency in technical writing, technical review, and preparation of professional engineering reports, proposals, and client deliverables.

Experience leading operational excellence initiatives and managing project financial performance

Strong analytical, problem-solving,…