Assistant Vice President, Geotechnical Engineer

WSP•Louisville, KY

26d

About The Position

WSP is seeking an Assistant Vice President, Geotechnical Engineer for its Louisville, Kentucky office. The role provides subject-matter technical support and leadership for due diligence, investigations, remediation, impact assessments, permitting, improvements, and construction of public- and private-sector infrastructure projects. Work spans research, design, planning, and construction of facilities and systems such as roads, buildings, tunnels, dams, bridges, water supply systems, and sewage treatment infrastructure. The position provides guidance to project managers and other leaders, supports quality and compliance with industry standards, and helps ensure project documentation and recommendations address risk, innovation, and future-ready opportunities. The role leads complex geotechnical engineering work throughout project phases, manages larger-scale projects and teams, supports client development, and mentors staff.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
At least 10 years of relevant post-education engineering and geotechnical design experience.
Required engineer license; multistate licensure preferred.
High proficiency in geotechnical engineering principles, practices, processes, design/build, permitting, and project-related issues.
High proficiency in infrastructure design and experience with infrastructure planning, design, and program or construction management, including rehabilitation, reconstruction, new design, and construction projects.
Strong knowledge of construction laws, codes, regulations, permitting, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
Proficiency in technical computations and calculations, engineering principles, plans and specifications, and regulatory comparisons.
Experience planning and conducting inspections and investigations of facility or structure construction and design under applicable regulations and policies.
Effective interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to explain complex ideas professionally to technical and nontechnical audiences.
Strong self-leadership and communication skills, with the ability to interact persuasively and tactfully with clients, regulators, project managers, and employees at all organizational levels.
Ability to work independently, guide and lead mid- to senior-level team or project members, and adhere strictly to QA/QC requirements.
Proficiency in technical writing, office automation, technical software, technology, mathematics, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools. Software examples include MicroStation, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, ArcGIS, InRoads, Geopak, GeoSlope, ANSYS, STADD, HEC-RAS, and HEC-HMS.
Experience critically reviewing documents and preparing complex technical deliverables and plans.
Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, including applying technical knowledge to testing results, data, calculations, and statistical analysis to reach effective, economical, and logical solutions.
Demonstrated ability to coordinate and direct subcontractors and others to complete tasks safely and efficiently.
Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety and ability to comply with WSP health, safety, drug/alcohol, and harassment policies.
Flexibility to work varied schedules as business needs require, prioritize responsibilities, and adapt to change in a pressure work environment.
Occasional project-related travel may be required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Engineering.
40-hour OSHA Health & Safety Training (HAZWOPER), under 29 CFR 1910.120.
Basic First Aid and Adult CPR training.
Multistate engineer licensure.

Responsibilities

Oversee the collection, compilation, and analysis of physical-site, sample, survey, blueprint, GIS, subsurface utility, hydrologic, geotechnical, and other project data.
Apply advanced geotechnical engineering techniques to complex infrastructure projects across concept development, preliminary and final design, procurement, construction, and operation.
Conduct complex investigations and inspections of proposed and existing site conditions, including subsurface conditions, soil foundations, settlement, erosion, lateral earth pressures, geological hazards, groundwater, and slope stability.
Develop construction plans, specifications, and cost estimates; prepare construction safety and phasing plans; and update infrastructure layouts in coordination with owners, clients, sub-consultants, and other disciplines.
Manage design and construction work from project inception through completion, including rehabilitation, reconstruction, grading, drainage, foundations, slopes, retaining structures, embankments, and related systems.
Oversee development and implementation of technologies, monitoring devices, materials, modeling techniques, design requirements, and operating strategies supporting safety, functionality, and future-ready solutions.
Lead large geotechnical engineering projects, define team responsibilities and schedules, oversee budgets, track hours and expenses, monitor performance, and supervise subcontractors, contract work, and employees.
Review permit applications, engineering plans and specifications, standby plans, contracts, waste management plans, and construction inspections for regulatory compliance and sound engineering practice.
Meet with public and private entities and individuals to discuss engineering and construction challenges and programs.
Prepare technical reports and presentations that communicate research, findings, and recommendations concerning design and construction issues or opportunities.
Develop a client base and identify business development opportunities for geotechnical engineering services.
Mentor staff and support their professional development.
Stay current with geotechnical engineering techniques and practices.
Collaborate with professionals from multiple disciplines, engineers, planners, and infrastructure authorities on improvement, development, proposal, and business development work.
Make responsible and ethical decisions regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and follow WSP policies and Code of Conduct.
Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.