Technical Director, Geotechnical

Arcadis•Vancouver, BC

100d•$162,000 - $212,000

About The Position

Arcadis is seeking a seasoned Technical Director with deep geotechnical and geo-structures expertise to provide strategic leadership and direction for our design team across Western Canada. This role will spearhead the delivery and growth of complex infrastructure projects including road, rail, and port developments, encompassing heavy civil structures, deep foundations, and major bridges in B.C., Alberta, and nationwide. The ideal candidate is a proven senior leader with a strong technical reputation, exceptional client relationship skills, and a track record of driving multi-disciplinary teams to excellence. You will leverage Arcadis’s global design and engineering capabilities to influence project outcomes from high-level concept through detailed design and construction, ensuring technical innovation and operational excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering; Master’s or PhD in Geotechnical Engineering or related discipline strongly preferred
20+ years of progressive experience in geotechnical and geo-structures engineering, with extensive involvement in major infrastructure projects across roads, rail, transit, and port sectors
Proven senior leadership experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and complex project portfolios at a regional or national level
Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) registration in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, or another Canadian jurisdiction, with eligibility to obtain registration in additional provinces as required
Strong expertise in interpreting ground investigations, developing geotechnical design parameters, and leading the preparation and review of Geotechnical Interpretative Reports (GIR) and Geotechnical Design Reports (GDR)
Proven design experience with deep and shallow foundations, retaining structures, deep excavations, tunnels, slopes and embankments, and a range of ground improvement techniques
Demonstrated capability in geotechnical seismic engineering, including liquefaction assessment, mitigation strategies, and seismic numerical modelling using PLAXIS or equivalent advanced tools
High level of familiarity with advanced geotechnical and numerical modelling tools, such as PLAXIS, RS Pile, LPile, APile, SHAFT, GROUP, Seep/W, Slope/W, Slide2, CPeT-IT, CLiq, LiqSV, Settle3, and related analytical platforms
Strong understanding and application of relevant industry standards including the Canadian Foundation Engineering Manual (CFEM 2023) and the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (CSA S6-19 / S6-25)
Demonstrated ability to lead innovation in design methodologies, ground investigation strategies, and risk mitigation
Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills with a track record of building trusted client relationships
Strong business acumen with experience in project financial management, resource allocation, and strategic growth initiatives
Excellent technical writing skills and experience producing high-impact reports, presentations, and proposals

Nice To Haves

Experience with marine or port structures, offshore geotechnics, soft soils, or rock engineering is considered a strong asset

Responsibilities

Provide visionary leadership and program oversight, guiding contributions to some of the most high-profile infrastructure projects in the region and across Canada.
Oversee geotechnical input on major undertakings such as tunnels, transit infrastructure, heavy civil works, and port facilities.
Set technical standards for the region, reviewing complex design elements, and resolving advanced geotechnical challenges, ensuring the consistent delivery of excellence in all project phases.
Lead large, complex projects from inception through completion, defining work scopes, developing budgets and schedules, managing risks, and ensuring technical quality and innovation throughout.
Mentor and develop senior engineers and technical staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning, technical excellence, and high performance within the team.
Ensure rigorous quality control of advanced engineering calculations, numerical models, technical reports, specifications, cost estimates, and procurement documentation.
Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including civil, structural, and bridge engineers, and interface regularly with clients, contractors, and regulators to ensure project success.
Manage project portfolios, ensuring profitability, client satisfaction, timely delivery, and compliance with all regulatory and company standards.
Represent Arcadis as a technical leader at industry events, technical committees, and client forums, enhancing the company’s reputation in the geotechnical engineering field.
Build trusted relationships, drive technical innovation, and deliver sustainable solutions