Geotechnical Team Lead

AECOM•Orange, CA

13d•$172,000 - $225,000•Hybrid

About The Position

AECOM’s Southwest Dams Department in Orange, California, is seeking an experienced Geotechnical Team Lead with expertise in dams and levees to provide leadership within its geotechnical engineering practice. The role supports major dam infrastructure projects, including dam safety evaluations, rehabilitation programs, and new dam design. The position leads and supports multidisciplinary teams working on dams, levees, spillways, outlet works, pump stations, and associated hydraulic structures. The successful candidate provides senior technical leadership, manages and supports complex projects, mentors engineers, and collaborates with technical disciplines and clients. The role also contributes to business development, quality assurance, technical reviews, regulatory compliance, and dam safety. It includes field and construction-related work, as well as representing the organization in client and regulatory meetings. The role is hybrid and based in Orange, California. Relocation and sponsorship are not offered. Newly hired employees must attend in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office. The advertised annual compensation range is USD 172,000–225,000.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and at least 10 years of relevant dam-project experience involving inspection, rehabilitation, and/or design and construction, or demonstrated equivalency of education and experience.
Professional Engineer (PE) license.
Valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or PhD in Civil Engineering.
Established client relationships with dam and levee owners in California.
California Geotechnical Engineer (GE) license.
20+ years of experience in geotechnical engineering related to dams and levees.
U.S. citizenship.
Strong commitment to safe project execution and dam safety practices.
Willingness to travel locally as required for project support.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Government security clearance or ability to obtain clearance.

Responsibilities

Provide senior-level technical leadership and support to dam and levee project teams through planning, design, inspection, construction observation, and regulatory compliance.
Lead or support geotechnical design and analyses for dams, including slope stability, seepage, and seismic performance evaluations.
Manage large multidisciplinary project teams and contribute to delivery of complex dam infrastructure projects.
Support or lead dam design and construction projects, including client coordination, contract management, planning, execution, and financial management; serve as Deputy Project Manager on major projects.
Oversee field exploration programs and characterization of soil and rock materials, including laboratory testing programs.
Direct teams conducting slope stability and seepage analyses and developing stabilization measures for dams, levees, spillways, and related infrastructure.
Coordinate hydrologic and hydraulic analyses, structural engineering, and civil design associated with dam and spillway projects.
Support or lead dam construction oversight and field observation during rehabilitation or new construction.
Perform and review seismic stability and deformation analyses, including evaluation of earthquake ground motions, liquefaction potential, and earthquake-induced deformations.
Oversee technical reports, independent dam safety inspections, and potential failure mode analyses (PFMA).
Support business development by identifying opportunities, strengthening relationships with dam and levee owners, and contributing to proposals.
Ensure quality and technical excellence of deliverables through review and oversight.
Mentor and support the technical development of junior and mid-level engineers.
Perform Independent Technical Reviews (ITR) for dam-related projects.
Serve as a local technical expert in a geotechnical engineering specialty related to dams.
Stay informed about industry developments, regulatory requirements, and best practices in dam engineering and safety.
Interpret, organize, and coordinate complex engineering assignments; make independent technical decisions and represent the organization in meetings and conferences with clients and regulatory agencies.
Apply advanced engineering knowledge and experience to resolve complex technical challenges and unique project conditions.