Principal Geotechnical Engineer at Kleinfelder Inc

Laguna Hills, California, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

07 Aug, 26

Salary

227531.0

Posted On

09 May, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Geotechnical Engineering, Project Management, Transportation Infrastructure, Foundation Design, Slope Stability Analysis, Seismic Hazard Evaluation, Client Relationship Management, Budget Management, Proposal Development, Technical Leadership, Mentoring, Field Exploration Oversight, Earth Retention Systems, Risk Management, Technical Writing, Multidisciplinary Team Coordination

Industry

Civil Engineering

Description

Job Description Take Your Delivery Management Career to the Next Level Kleinfelder, a Forbes' Top Employer for Engineers in North America, is committed to a people-first culture, technical excellence, and creating opportunities where employees can thrive! Do you have a passion for managing budgets, meeting deadlines, and exceeding client expectations? Our delivery management professionals are involved in project delivery from initiation and planning to execution, monitoring, and closeout. Each phase requires strong attention to detail while communicating with internal and external stakeholders. Do you have a proven track record in managing goals and objectives? Consider joining our team and work with peers who have vast industry knowledge and experience solving complex problems. Step into Your New Role Kleinfelder is seeking a Principal Geotechnical Engineer (Transportation Focus) to join our Southern California team in Laguna Hills. This hybrid role blends remote work, in‑office collaboration, and occasional field engagement to lead and manage large transportation infrastructure and other types of projects. It is an excellent opportunity for a technical leader who thrives on managing and delivering complex projects, guiding multidisciplinary teams, mentoring junior engineers, engaging with clients, and contributing to strategic business development efforts. Our team supports a diverse portfolio of challenging and high‑visibility projects within a design center that includes geotechnical, bridge, structural, civil, and water resources engineers, geologists, environmental professionals, and laboratory and construction oversight personnel. We work across a wide range of public and private infrastructure systems—including bridges, transit systems, roadways, water, stormwater, wastewater, and power systems, dams, tunnels and HDD installations, wet and dry above and below-ground utility infrastructure, commercial and high-rise structures, and deep excavations—often in dense urban environments or difficult terrain. This role requires a strong ability to plan, manage, coordinate, and execute projects with technical rigor and operational discipline as well as positioning for competitive pursuits and engaging with clients for development of business, contributing to the success of the Southern California area. Qualifications The ideal candidate will have a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Civil, Geotechnical, or Geological Engineering. This role leads geotechnical projects from proposing and concept through closeout, combining project‑management capability with a deep, progressively responsible background in geotechnical engineering. Ideally, the candidate has 8+ years of geotechnical engineering experience related to transportation projects, 5+ years of experience managing multidisciplinary teams, guiding technical decision‑making, and ensuring that geotechnical considerations are fully integrated into project strategy, risk management, and client communication. The candidate should also have a minimum of 5 years pursuing RFPs/RFQs, managing client accounts, and tracking the profitability and performance of their project/client portfolios. A Master’s degree in Geotechnical or Geological Engineering is strongly preferred. A California P.E. license is required. A California G.E. license, or the ability to obtain one within one year of hire, is highly desirable. This position will be managing large, complex, multi-disciplinary transportation infrastructure projects, along with other types of projects. Therefore, a minimum of 5 years of transportation-related project experience and management is strongly preferred. Key Responsibilities Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams in the development of proposals, project execution plans, and technical deliverables. Provide leadership, project oversight, and strategic direction for complex technical and field assignments. Plan, manage, and oversee field exploration programs and construction oversight activities with a strong emphasis on safety, quality, and schedule adherence. Perform, delegate, and review a wide range of geotechnical analyses, including soil and rock classification, foundation design, settlement analysis, slope stability, seismic hazard evaluation (ground motions, liquefaction, lateral spreading), and earth retention systems. Develop and deliver high‑quality technical documents, including geotechnical engineering reports, memorandums, proposals, specifications, and related deliverables. Maintain active involvement during the construction phase to support design intent, troubleshoot field issues, and ensure alignment with project requirements. Cultivate strong client relationships through proactive communication, responsiveness, and technical excellence. Develop scopes of work, project budgets, work breakdown structures, and schedules, ensuring alignment with client expectations and internal standards. Manage project teams, monitor budgets and schedules, delegate tasks effectively, and mentor junior staff to support their technical and professional growth. Requirements Bachelor’s degree in civil, geotechnical, or geological engineering; Master’s degree strongly preferred. Professional Engineer (PE) license in California required; GE license or ability to obtain one within one year of hire is strongly preferred. Transportation-related project and management experience including for bridges, roadways, railways, tunnels, etc. Progressive geotechnical engineering experience demonstrating increasing responsibility in subsurface investigations, geotechnical analysis, foundation design, earth retention systems, slope stability, ground improvement, or related areas. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects while maintaining high standards of quality and safety. PMP Certification is a plus. Proven ability to lead project delivery, manage budgets and schedules, and mentor junior staff. Proficiency with standard business software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project) Experience with geotechnical software such as LPile, APile, SHAFT, GROUP, BoreDM, GEO STUDIO (Slope/W, Seep/W, Sigma/W), SLIDE, Settle3, and MSEW. Clean driving record and ability to pass a drug test. Ability to commute to the office, client meetings, and project sites in and around Southern California. Following an offer, candidates will be required to satisfactorily complete employment reference checks, verification of professional licensure and/or educational credentials, a motor vehicle report (MVR), and a comprehensive background check. Move Forward with Kleinfelder: Kleinfelder and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, has been connecting great people to the best work since 1961. We are engineers, scientists, and construction professionals providing solutions that improve our clients’ transportation, water, energy, and other private infrastructure. As a responsive, cross-disciplinary team of bright, curious, and innovative problem-solvers, we are dedicated to doing the right thing, every day, on every project from over 110 offices in the US, Canada, and Australia. Connecting great people to the best work is our purpose – together, we deliver. Progress with an Employer that Values You Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, is an inclusive organization free from discrimination. We are a stronger organization when we are a diverse workforce and believe that through diversity, equity, and inclusion comes creativity, innovation, and unity. We are proud to offer the following: Benefits: Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, offers an excellent compensation and benefits package, including: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid holidays. The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the California Pay Transparency Law. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience. Salary Range:133,494 - 227,531. Career Development: We are committed to investing in the professional development of our staff, offering each employee every opportunity to grow, develop, and take control of their career paths. We support these efforts through reimbursements for continuing education as well as many of the expenses associated with trainings and certifications, and opportunities for career development through our internal Mentoring Program. Equal Opportunity: Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans. (Compliant with the new VEVRAA and Section 503 rules) NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES Please note that Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, will not consider or agree to payment for any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resume, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Kleinfelder.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage large-scale transportation infrastructure projects from proposal through closeout, coordinating multidisciplinary teams and ensuring technical rigor. Responsibilities include performing complex geotechnical analyses, managing project budgets, and cultivating strong client relationships.