Senior Lead Geotechnical Engineer

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Full-Time Senior Lead Geotechnical Engineer for our Portland, OR office. The following locations will also be considered: Seattle, Redmond, Vancouver, in WA, Boise, ID and Bend, OR. WSP USA Operates with a Hybrid-Workplace Model. Be involved in projects with our NW Pacific Power and Energy Team and be a part of a rapidly expanding group that provides trusted advisor and engineer of record services to clients in the energy sector.

Provides subject matter technical support and leadership for due diligence, remediation, impact assessment, permitting, and construction of energy projects in the public and private sector. Responsibilities include the research, design, planning, and construction of roads, buildings, tunnels, dams, bridges, water supply systems, hydro power structures, thermal power stations, solar and wind farms, and substations/interconnection facilities. Provides situational guidance to PMs and managers that address current and future challenges, and that documentation and recommendations accurately account for and address risk, innovation, and future-ready opportunities. Provides leadership with ensuring 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

• Involved from project inception to completion in the management of design and construction of energy projects that include thermal, hydro, wind, solar and other power sources.
• Provide oversight with collecting, compiling, and analyzing data from the physical work site, 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 energy project phases involving more complex engineering work including concept development, preliminary design, final design, procurement, construction, and operation.
• Perform professional geotechnical engineering work and conduct more complex/comprehensive investigations and inspections of proposed and existing site conditions, resources, facilities, water supply, dam structures, pipelines, and power plants to determine conformance with applicable rules, standards, and construction or operating permits.
• Direct the development of construction plans, specifications, and cost estimates; construction safety, operational safety. and phasing plans and updating facility development plans; work that requires coordination with owners, other disciplines, sub-consultants, and clients.
• Oversees the development and implementation of advanced/experimental technologies, monitoring devices, building materials, modeling techniques, design requirements, and operating strategies to account for the safety and functionality or end-users, vehicles, and implementing future-ready solutions with geotechnical engineering design standards.
• Lead larger-scale geotechnical engineering projects ensuring contributors know what they are required to do and by when, preparing and overseeing relevant project budgets, monitoring external events, tracking hours and expenses, ensuring satisfactory performance, and supervising subcontractors, contract work, and employees.
• Assist with engineering review of permit applications, engineering design plans and specifications, standby plans and engineering contracts, integrated spoils and fill management plans, and periodic construction inspections, to ensure that they comply with applicable Tribal, State and/or Federal regulations and sound engineering practice and standards.
• Meet with various public or private entities or individuals to discuss issues relating to a variety of engineering/construction challenges and programs.
• Ensure technical reports and presentations explain research, findings, and recommendations to prevent, control, restore, or address engineering, design, and/or construction issues or opportunities.
• Develop a client base for providing high level geotechnical engineering services including identifying additional business development opportunities.
• Mentor staff to support their growth and professional development.
• Remain current in latest geotechnical engineering techniques and practices.
• Remain current with regulatory agencies and other bodies with jurisdiction over embankment dams, irrigation dams, hydropower dams, and other types of water diversion and management structures.
• Assist with the development of FERC Dam Safety, Emergency Action Plan, and Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) client compliance programs.
• Conduct on-site inspections or desktop analysis to assess existing structures and identify and recommend appropriate changes and improvements to operations and/or structures.
• Collaborates with professionals from a variety of disciplines, other engineers, planners, and hydropower authorities on Tribal, Federal, State, regional, and locally funded projects, as well as proposal and business development opportunities.
• 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

• 10+ years of relevant post education experience in engineering discipline and prior structural or geotechnical design experience.
• Engineer license required (Oregon, Washington, and California preferred, Alaska and Hawaii may also be needed).
• Highly proficient with geotechnical engineering principles, practices, process, design/build, and the application to permitting and project work-related issues.
• Experienced with planning, design, and program/construction management; including project involvement in a variety of rehabilitation and reconstruction, new design, and construction projects.
• Strong knowledge of relevant geotechnical construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
• Highly proficient with making technical computations and calculations involving the application of engineering principles, understanding plans and specifications, and making factual comparisons to the appropriate regulations.
• Experience with planning and conducting 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 intricate ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
• Strong self-leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to interact with clients, regulators, project managers, and employees effectively, persuasively, and tactfully at all levels of the organization.
• Works independently to provide guidance and leadership to mid-level to senior level team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Proficiency with technical writing, office automation, discipline-specific design software (i.e., MicroStation, AutoCAD, CIvil 3D, ArcGIS, InRoads, Geopak, GeoSlope, ANSYS, STADD, HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS), Flow 3D, technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.
• Experienced with providing critical review for documents and preparing technical deliverables and plans with a high degree of complexity.
• 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.
• Must be flexible to a variety of schedules to meet business needs and able to prioritize responsibilities and quickly adapt to change in a pressure work environment.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Engineering.
• Experience with hydro, solar, wind, and thermal projects.
• Experience with ODOT and WADOT standards and specifications.
• 40-Hour OSHA Health & Safety Training (HAZWOPER) (29 CFR 1910.120) preferred.
• Basic First Aid and Adult CPR training desired.

Compensation and Benefits:

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee's career.

Expected Salary: $104,400 - $213,000

WSP USA is providing the compensation range and general description of other compensation and benefits that the company in good faith believes it might pay and/or offer for this position based on the successful applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities in addition to internal equity and geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant's sex or other status protected by local, state, or federal law.

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