Senior Geotechnical Engineer

PND Engineers • Seattle, WA

8d

About The Position

PND Engineers is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to support our Seattle and Juneau offices on waterfront, marine, transportation, industrial, and civil infrastructure projects throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. This role is ideal for an experienced geotechnical engineer who can lead investigations, develop practical design recommendations, and prepare and stamp geotechnical reports supporting complex infrastructure design and construction. At PND, you’ll work closely with structural, civil, waterfront, and coastal engineers on ports, terminals, ferry facilities, industrial waterfronts, bridges, retaining structures, and other challenging infrastructure projects. We are looking for a technically strong, self-directed engineer who can lead geotechnical efforts from project planning and field investigation through engineering analysis, reporting, and practical final recommendations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, geological engineering, or related field from an ABET-accredited program.
• Washington P.E. license required, or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• 10+ years of geotechnical engineering experience preferred.
• Experience leading geotechnical investigations, laboratory testing programs, engineering analyses, and preparation of geotechnical reports.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to prepare and stamp geotechnical reports and engineering recommendations.
• Strong technical background in soil mechanics, foundation engineering, seismic geotechnical engineering, and construction support.
• Strong written communication skills and the ability to prepare clear, practical, and defensible engineering reports.
• Strong business development, project management, client coordination, and team leadership skills.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license with a good driving record.
• Willingness to occasionally travel for fieldwork, site visits, and project coordination, including travel to Alaska.
• Permanent authorization to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in geotechnical engineering preferred.
• Oregon and Alaska P.E. license preferred or ability to obtain.
• Experience with waterfront, marine, port, ferry, bridge, industrial, or heavy civil infrastructure projects preferred.
• Experience with deep foundation construction and inspection preferred.
• Experience developing geotechnical design parameters for steel pipe pile foundations, retaining structures, bulkheads, and waterfront structures is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with seismic design, liquefaction evaluation, lateral spreading, slope stability, and deep foundation design.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and develop client relationships and actively support the identification, pursuit, and development of new geotechnical work, including proposal preparation, scoping, budgeting, and project planning.
• Lead geotechnical investigation programs for waterfront, marine, transportation, industrial, and civil infrastructure projects.
• Develop subsurface exploration plans, including borings, test pits, in-situ testing, and related field investigation programs.
• Coordinate and oversee field investigations, drilling contractors, sampling programs, and geotechnical field staff.
• Develop laboratory testing programs and interpret soil and rock testing results.
• Perform and oversee geotechnical engineering analyses, including: Foundation design recommendations, Axial and lateral pile design parameters, Shallow and deep foundation evaluations, Slope stability and embankment analyses, Retaining wall and bulkhead design parameters, Seismic site response considerations, Liquefaction, lateral spreading, and seismic deformation evaluations, Settlement and bearing capacity analyses, Construction considerations and constructability recommendations.
• Prepare, review, and stamp geotechnical reports, technical memoranda, calculations, and design recommendations.
• Provide geotechnical input for plans, specifications, estimates, and construction documents.
• Coordinate closely with PND’s structural, civil, and marine engineering teams to support integrated project delivery.
• Support construction-phase services, including submittal reviews, RFIs, field observations, and construction recommendations.
• Mentor junior engineering staff and help development of geotechnical capabilities within the Seattle and Juneau offices.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical plans
• Employer-paid dental, vision, and life insurance
• Disability insurance
• 18-22 days of paid time off and 9 paid holidays annually
• All overtime paid at 1.5x the regular hourly rate
• Discretionary bonuses
• Exceptional, employer-funded 401(k) profit-sharing retirement plan—no match required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior