Geotechnical Laboratory Manager

Intertek•Houston, TX

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Intertek, a leading provider of quality and safety solutions, is seeking a Geotechnical Laboratory Manager to join their Professional Service Industries (PSI) team in Houston, Texas. This role offers a career opportunity within the architectural, engineering, and construction (A/E/C) industry, specifically within Intertek's Building and Construction division, which provides assurance, testing, inspection, and consulting services. PSI is a US-based provider of construction assurance, testing, and inspection, with services including construction materials testing, geotechnical services, environmental engineering, industrial hygiene, and specialty testing. The company's purpose is to bring quality, safety, and sustainability to life through Total Quality Assurance. The Geotechnical Laboratory Manager will oversee daily operations of the Houston geotechnical testing laboratory, leading personnel, maintaining equipment and accreditation, ensuring quality and compliance, and supporting project teams.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Geology, or related field required.
Minimum 10 years of progressive geotechnical engineering and laboratory experience, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or management capacity
Demonstrated experience managing AASHTO Accreditation Program (AAP) or CCRL-accredited laboratory operations
Proficiency in ASTM and AASHTO standard test methods for soils and aggregates (D698, D1557, D2435, D2850, D3080, D4318, D4767, T99, T180, and related methods)
Proficiency in geotechnical engineering analysis and design including settlement, slope stability, deep and shallow foundations, and lateral earth pressure; experience with engineering software such as GeoStudio, LPILE, APILE, SHAFT, GROUP, SLIDE, and/or Settle3D
Demonstrated instrumentation experience including inclinometer monitoring, pressuremeter installation and interpretation, and CPT/SCPTu data reduction and analysis
Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
Strong supervisory and leadership skills
Be aware of, and adhere to, safety practices and policies to ensure your own safety, as well as the safety of others who may be affected by your actions at work
Ability to work in fast-paced, multi-tasking environment with shifting priorities and demanding deadlines
Must be detailed-oriented and able to effectively prioritize and organize workload, with efficient time management
Ability to communicate and interact effectively in verbal written and presentation formats
Must possess the fundamental technical and administrative skills required to perform the job duties
Must be customer focused and quality driven
Ability to travel as business needs dictate
Valid Driver's License and reliable driving record required

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering
EIT preferred
Familiarity with TxDOT and local soil and materials testing specifications and requirements
Experience supporting environmental or CMT laboratory functions in a multi-discipline firm
Proficiency with OpenGround, GINT, or similar geotechnical data management platforms
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Responsibilities

Plan, direct, and supervise daily geotechnical laboratory testing activities including soil classification, compaction, consolidation, shear strength, permeability, and other routine and special tests per ASTM/AASHTO standards.
Maintain laboratory equipment in proper calibration and working order; develop and manage preventive maintenance and equipment replacement schedules.
Manage sample intake, logging, storage, and chain-of-custody procedures to ensure full traceability and client confidentiality.
Develop, implement, and maintain laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs) in accordance with ASTM, AASHTO, and other applicable standards.
Serve as the laboratory’s primary point of contact for AASHTO Accreditation Program (AAP) and applicable third-party accreditation bodies; manage audits, proficiency sample programs, and corrective actions.
Review and approve test reports for technical accuracy, completeness, and conformance with applicable standards prior to release.
Monitor non-conformances and maintain quality records in compliance with Intertek PSI QMS requirements.
Perform and oversee geotechnical engineering analyses including foundation design, settlement analysis, slope stability evaluation, and lateral earth pressure calculations in support of project teams.
Conduct and interpret in-situ testing and instrumentation programs including CPT/SCPTu data reduction, pressuremeter testing, and inclinometer monitoring.
Prepare geotechnical laboratory and engineering reports, scopes of work, project budgets, and schedules in accordance with client specifications and PSI standards.
Serve as technical reviewer for geotechnical reports prepared by junior engineers and technicians; provide mentoring and guidance on engineering methodology.
Collaborate with project managers, field crews, and client representatives to align lab and field testing scope with project requirements and deadlines; attend client meetings as needed.
Support business development and proposal preparation by providing laboratory cost estimates, turnaround schedules, accreditation documentation, and technical input.
Recruit, train, mentor, and evaluate laboratory technicians and engineering staff; assign workloads and manage scheduling and lease technicians to other PSI offices to maintain operational continuity.
Enforce safe laboratory and field practices in accordance with Intertek PSI HSE policies, OSHA standards, and applicable environmental regulations; maintain SDS files and ensure proper chemical handling and disposal.