Geotechnical Project Engineer Jobs in California

Take Your Delivery Management Career to the Next Level

Kleinfelder, a Forbes' Top Employer for Engineers in North America, is committed to a people-first culture, technical excellence, and creating opportunities where employees can thrive!

Do you have a passion for managing budgets, meeting deadlines, and exceeding client expectations? Our delivery management professionals are involved in project delivery from initiation and planning to execution, monitoring, and closeout. Each phase requires strong attention to detail while communicating with internal and external stakeholders. Do you have a proven track record in managing goals and objectives? Consider joining our team and work with peers who have vast industry knowledge and experience solving complex problems.

Kleinfelder is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer / Project Manager to join our Southern California team in either Laguna Hills or Los Angeles. This hybrid role blends remote work, in‑office collaboration, and occasional field engagement. It is an excellent opportunity for a technical leader who thrives on managing and delivering complex projects, guiding multidisciplinary teams, mentoring junior engineers, engaging with clients, and contributing to strategic business development efforts.

Our team supports a diverse portfolio of challenging and high‑visibility projects within a design center that includes bridge, structural, civil, and water resources engineers, environmental professionals, and laboratory and construction oversight personnel. We work across a wide range of public and private infrastructure systems—including bridges, transit systems, roadways, water and stormwater systems, tunnels and HDD installations, commercial structures, and deep excavations—often in dense urban environments or difficult terrain. This role requires a strong ability to plan, coordinate, and execute projects with technical rigor and operational discipline.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Civil, Geotechnical, or Geological Engineering. This role leads geotechnical projects from concept through closeout, combining project‑management capability with a deep, progressively responsible background in geotechnical engineering. Must have a min of 7-8 years of experience managing multidisciplinary teams, guiding technical decision‑making, and ensuring that geotechnical considerations are fully integrated into project strategy, risk management, and client communication. A Master’s degree in Geotechnical or Geological Engineering is strongly preferred. A California P.E. license is required. A California G.E. license, or the ability to obtain one, is highly desirable.

• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams in the development of proposals, project execution plans, and technical deliverables.
• Provide leadership, project oversight, and strategic direction for complex technical and field assignments.
• Plan, manage, and oversee field exploration programs and construction oversight activities with a strong emphasis on safety, quality, and schedule adherence.
• Perform, delegate, and review a wide range of geotechnical analyses, including soil and rock classification, foundation design, settlement analysis, slope stability, seismic hazard evaluation (ground motions, liquefaction, lateral spreading), and earth retention systems.
• Develop and deliver high‑quality technical documents, including geotechnical engineering reports, memorandums, proposals, specifications, and related deliverables.
• Maintain active involvement during the construction phase to support design intent, troubleshoot field issues, and ensure alignment with project requirements.
• Cultivate strong client relationships through proactive communication, responsiveness, and technical excellence.
• Develop scopes of work, project budgets, work breakdown structures, and schedules, ensuring alignment with client expectations and internal standards.
• Manage project teams, monitor budgets and schedules, delegate tasks effectively, and mentor junior staff to support their technical and professional growth.

• Bachelor’s degree in civil, geotechnical, or geological engineering; Master’s degree strongly preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in California required; GE license or ability to obtain one is desired.
• Progressive geotechnical engineering experience demonstrating increasing responsibility in subsurface investigations, geotechnical analysis, foundation design, earth retention systems, slope stability, ground improvement, or related areas.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects while maintaining high standards of quality and safety. PMP Certification is a plus.
• Proven ability to lead project delivery, manage budgets and schedules, and mentor junior staff.
• Proficiency with standard business software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); experience with VBA in Excel is a plus.
• Experience with geotechnical software such as LPile, APile, SHAFT, GROUP, gINT, GEO STUDIO (Slope/W, Seep/W, Sigma/W), SLIDE, Settle3, and MSEW.
• Clean driving record and ability to pass a drug test.
• Ability to commute to the office, client meetings, and project sites in and around Southern California.

Kleinfelder, and its subsidiaries and affiliates, offers an excellent compensation and benefits package, including: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid holidays.

Kleinfelder, and its subsidiaries and affiliates, is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans. (Compliant with the new VEVRAA and Section 503 rules)

The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the California Pay Transparency Law. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience. Salary Range: 116,792-197,357