Senior Geotechnical Engineer

HDR•Denver, CO

About The Position

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world? We believe water is more than a resource, it's a shared responsibility. As part of our Water Business Group, you’ll help shape how communities manage water for generations to come. From delivering safe drinking water and treating wastewater responsibly to developing sustainable water supplies and protecting lives and property through flood control, your work will directly support public health, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. We bring together experts across disciplines to solve complex challenges with bold thinking and technical excellence. Whether you're modernizing aging systems or pioneering innovative approaches, your contributions will make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. This isn’t just a job, it's a chance to lead change, drive progress, and leave a lasting legacy. Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story' Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world. Description We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Geotechnical Engineer to provide technical expertise to guide investigations, risk assessments, analyses, design, and construction engineering for the design of dams and other appurtenant infrastructure. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in dam safety engineering, mentoring and coaching engineers and geologists, and leading large-scale dam design and construction projects. As a Senior Geotechnical Engineer, you will work with teams to develop and review methods and procedures for dam design, ensure compliance with published guidelines and standards, and lead complex projects.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree
10 years of experience
Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
Experience with Microsoft Office applications, GIS, and CADD, as appropriate
Experience with GeoStudio/Ensoft slope stability, settlement, seepage, and deep foundation response software, as appropriate
Experience with Bentley suite of geotechnical data management and visualization software (gINT/OpenGround/LeapFrog)
Knowledge of advanced numerical modeling techniques such as Finite Difference, Finite Element, Discrete Element, etc. and commercial software for advanced numerical modeling (Bentley, PLAXIS, Itasca FLAC)
An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

Nice To Haves

15 years of experience
Experience with dam construction oversight and quality assurance management.
Experience in risk assessments, dam safety analysis, and design methodologies.
Experience in current dam safety guidelines, industry standards, and regulatory requirements.
Project management skills, including experience with budgeting, scheduling, and resource management is encouraged.
Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

Function as a Technical Specialist or Project Manager on large-size dam projects as needed, but project management is not the sole focus of this position. The work may rely upon risk informed design.
Lead or support planning and execution of geotechnical investigations or design activities for major dam and water projects.
Perform geotechnical technical analyses, prepare geotechnical reports and coordinate with designers to implement recommendations.
Provide senior engineer advice to teams on the design and construction for dam and large reservoir projects.
Perform detailed inspections of dam structures to evaluate dam safety risk and performance.
Inspect contractor work to confirm conformance with approved construction plans and specifications.
Mentor and coach engineers and geologists across the organization in dam investigations, analysis, design, construction, and project management.
Participate in marketing efforts of both internal and external clients.
Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, industry standards, and organizational procedures.
Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders, including government agencies, contractors, and project owners.
Perform other duties as needed.