Lead Consultant, Geotechnical Engineer - WSP USA

Our Business

We are a global leader in environmental consulting - made stronger with the recent acquisition of Wood’s Environment & Infrastructure business and Golder - with world-class expertise in environmental, social and governance (ESG), climate resiliency & sustainability (CRS), and earth sciences. Combined we have over 20,000 multidisciplinary professionals worldwide collaborating daily to protect and conserve natural landscapes, create firm foundations for communities to stand on, and champion sustainable development to combat climate change. 
 
As part of the team, you will have access to an unparalleled network of resources and endless opportunities to collaborate on exciting projects with diverse teammates from across the globe.

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead Consultant, Geotechnical Engineer for our Knoxville, TN location.  Be involved in projects with our Earth & Environment Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our client’s objectives and solves their challenges. 

Provides high level technical assistance and guidance for geotechnical investigation, geotechnical analyses, design, and construction of infrastructure projects and systems in the public and private sector.  Tasks include the research, design, concept development, planning, and construction of facilities, roads, buildings, tunnels, dams, canals, levees, bridges, water supply systems, and power facilities. Substantiates reports and documentation to advise on material, installation, design, and construction specifications.  Ensures that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, safety, and functionality.

Your Impact

• Provide guidance with collecting, compiling, and analyzing data from the physical work site, soil/water/sludge/rock samples, surveys, blueprints, GIS data, subsurface utility information, maps, hydrologic analysis, geotechnical data, and other matrices for project development, design, and construction.  
• Apply high-level geotechnical engineering techniques and processes to identify improvements for various infrastructure project phases including concept development, preliminary design, final design, procurement, construction, and operation.
• Perform professional geotechnical engineering work and conduct research and inspections of proposed and existing site conditions, including subsurface investigations, soil foundation engineering, settlement analysis, soil erosion, lateral earth pressures, geological hazards, underground water, slope stability, and operations to determine conformance with applicable rules, standards, construction, or operating permits for commercial, industrial, building, environmental, infrastructure, and transportation projects.
• Develop construction plans, specifications, and cost estimates; preparing construction safety and phasing plans, and updating infrastructure layout plans that require coordination with owners, other disciplines, sub-consultants, and clients.
• Involved from project inception to completion in the management of design and construction of infrastructure projects, including rehabilitation and reconstruction, grading, drainage, laying out installations, foundations, slopes, retaining structures, embankments, and other systems that are made or supported by soil or rock.
• Develop and incorporate advanced technologies, monitoring devices, building materials, modeling techniques, design requirements, and operating strategies to account for the safety and functionality or end-users, transportation systems, structures, and the implementation of future-ready solutions with geotechnical engineering design standards.
• Oversee and monitor cross-functional teams of engineers, planners, and scientific professionals to execute project work on mid-level and/or multiple concurrent projects, including budgets, tracking hours and expenses, task completion, cost and quantities of materials/equipment/labor, technical calculations, permit applications, construction, compliance documentation, and regulatory and technical analysis memos.
• Coordinate, review and approve infrastructure design plans, ensuring data integrity and work is compliant with all applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations.
• Prepare data and visualizations such as tables, charts, reports, sketches, calculations, cross-sections, and other illustrations for the interpretation or presentation of more complex data, findings, or analyses.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports and presentations that explain research, concepts, and recommendations to prevent, control, restore, or address design, and/or construction issues or opportunities.
• Review Geotechnical reports
• Analyze, evaluate, and interpret data obtained during field investigations, offering input with developing action plans for moderate- to high-level risk mitigation activities.
• Prepare and implement site Health and Safety Plans (HASPs).
• Interact with regulatory agencies, subcontractors, drillers, and clients in a confident and professional manner.
• Collaborate with professionals, other engineers, planners, and infrastructure authorities on Federal, State, regional, and locally funded improvement, and development projects, as well as proposal and business development opportunities.
• Remain current in latest geotechnical engineering techniques and practices.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Geotechnical Engineering, or closely related discipline.
• 7 to 10 years of relevant post education experience in engineering and geotechnical design.
• Engineer license required.
• Proficient with geotechnical engineering principles, practices, process, design/build, and the application to permitting and project work-related issues.
• Extensive knowledge of infrastructure design.
• Experience with infrastructure planning, design, and construction management; including active involvement in a variety of rehabilitation, new design, and construction projects.
• Proficient understanding of the disciplines of rock and soil mechanics to investigate subsurface and geologic conditions to design and build foundations, earth structures, and pavement sub-grades.
• Well-defined specific knowledge of relevant construction laws, codes, regulations, permitting, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
• Well-developed ability to make technical computations and calculations involving the application of engineering principles, understanding plans and specifications, and making factual comparisons to the appropriate regulations.
• Ability to plan and conduct inspections and investigations on various aspects of the construction and design of facilities or structures, applying applicable regulations and policies.
• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
• Demonstrated high-level of self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
• Works independently with minimal oversight and provides guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Highly proficient with technical writing, office automation, discipline-specific design software (i.e., MicroStation, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Open Roads, gINT, Open Ground, ArcGIS, GeoSlope, ANSYS, STADD, HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS), technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.
• Well-developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, computations, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solution.
• Demonstrated effectiveness at coordinating and assertively directing subcontractors and others to consistently complete tasks safely and efficiently.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements. 

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