Senior Geotechnical Engineer

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Senior Geotechnical Engineer for our Birmingham, Alabama office.This role provides the opportunity to support a growing portfolio of projects throughout the Southeastern United States, delivering geotechnical engineering services for transportation infrastructure, power and energy facilities, and industrial/commercial developments. The selected candidate will play a key role in project delivery, technical leadership, and client engagement across Alabama and the broader Southeast.

Lead and perform geotechnical engineering analyses and design for:

Transportation projects (roadways, bridges, embankments, slopes)

Power and energy facilities (generation, substations, transmission corridors)

Industrial and commercial site developments

Plan, coordinate, and manage subsurface exploration programs, including drilling, sampling, laboratory testing, and field investigations.

Prepare and oversee geotechnical engineering deliverables, including:

Geotechnical data reports

Interpretive reports

Foundation and earthwork design recommendations

Perform analyses and design for:

Shallow and deep foundations

Slope stability and retaining structures

Settlement and ground improvement solutions

Pavement and subgrade evaluations

Provide construction-phase support, including:

Field observations and inspections

Design reviews and responses to RFIs

Construction recommendations and troubleshooting

Apply sound engineering judgment to evaluate subsurface conditions and develop practical, cost-effective solutions.

Lead and mentor junior engineers and technical staff, ensuring adherence to QA/QC procedures and technical excellence.

Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams across transportation, civil, environmental, and power sectors.

Support business development, including:

Proposal development

Scope definition and fee estimates

Client communication and relationship management

Manage multiple assignments while maintaining schedule, budget, and quality objectives.

Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering with geotechnical focus (Master’s preferred).

5 to 7+ years of experience in geotechnical engineering.

Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) (Alabama or ability to obtain within 6 months).

Demonstrated experience supporting:

Transportation infrastructure projects

Power/energy or utility projects

Industrial and commercial development projects

Subsurface investigation planning and execution

Geotechnical analysis and design

Preparation of technical reports and contract documents

Working knowledge of applicable industry standards (e.g., AASHTO, ASTM, FHWA).

Ability to work independently and serve as a task or project lead.

Experience delivering projects in the Southeastern United States, with Alabama experience strongly preferred.

Project management skills with experience leading teams on complex or multi-project programs.

Client focus with experience in client management and effective project/program delivery skills.

Possess strong verbal communication, writing, analytical, and organizational skills combined with a positive attitude and an ability to work both independently and within groups, including with technical peers across the company, client contacts, and subcontractors.

Familiarity with state DOT requirements (e.g., ALDOT, TDOT, GDOT).

supporting power and utility clients or heavy industrial facilities.

with geotechnical software (e.g., SLIDE, LPILE, OpenGround/gINT).

Strong understanding of regional soil and rock conditions across the Southeast.