What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Geotechnical Engineer position at LVI Associates?
Senior Geotechnical Engineer
Location: Charlotte, NC
Employment Type: Full‑time
About the Role
A long‑established engineering consultancy in the Southeast is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to provide high‑level technical expertise across a wide range of geotechnical and construction‑related projects. The firm delivers geotechnical engineering, construction materials testing, special inspections, and environmental consulting services throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
With six regional offices and a consistently strong project pipeline, the organisation offers exposure to diverse work, access to modern equipment, and a collaborative environment where technical leadership is highly valued.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary technical lead on complex geotechnical projects
- Provide technical guidance to engineers, technicians, and multidisciplinary project teams
- Lead subsurface investigations, foundation evaluations, and geotechnical analyses
- Develop recommendations for deep and shallow foundations, ground improvement, and site development
- Conduct seismic site characterisation, settlement analysis, slope stability evaluations, and related design tasks
- Support construction‑phase engineering, including CMT oversight, special inspections, and field investigations
- Participate in forensic evaluations and risk‑mitigation studies
- Contribute to project planning, client communication, and technical deliverables within a technically focused PM environment
Why This Position Matters
This is a strategic hire tied directly to the firm's long‑term growth objectives leading up to 2030. The incoming engineer will be responsible for expanding the firm's technical capacity and supporting a growing volume of geotechnical work. The role is ideal for someone who wants to influence project outcomes, mentor others, and take on a senior technical leadership function.
What the Firm Provides
A stable and expanding geotechnical project pipeline (40 new projects already scheduled)
State‑of‑the‑art technology, in‑house laboratory resources, and strong field support
A collaborative culture with active involvement from principals and senior leadership
Exposure to municipal, industrial, commercial, transportation, and large‑scale development projects
A technically rigorous environment operating under industry‑standard certifications, including USACE, CCRL, AASHTO, DOT, and ASTM E329
Qualifications
10-15 years of geotechnical engineering experience
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Geotechnical, Civil, or Geological Engineering
Professional Engineer (PE) license, or ability to obtain within 12 months
Strong background in geotechnical design, soil mechanics, and site investigations
Experience with foundation design, ground improvement, seismic evaluations, and construction‑phase engineering
Demonstrated ability to lead technical direction on complex projects
Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is a highly experienced geotechnical engineer who enjoys tackling complex subsurface and foundation challenges, mentoring technical staff, and working in an environment where engineering quality is the top priority. This position offers a clear path into senior leadership as the organisation continues to grow across the Southeast.