Principal Geoscientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

INTERA Incorporated is seeking a recognized Principal Environmental Engineer, Environmental Geologist, or Hydrogeologist to lead complex remediation and emerging contaminant projects for federal, state, and private sector clients. This position is based in our Albuquerque, New Mexico, office, but candidates outside the Albuquerque area are encouraged to apply; relocation assistance is available for qualified hires. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for a seasoned technical expert who brings deep experience solving groundwater, contamination, and remediation challenges and is ready to help shape client strategy, project outcomes, and business growth. Experience with PFAS, chlorinated solvents, petroleum hydrocarbons, metals, contaminant fate and transport, and remediation technology evaluation is highly desirable. This role will serve as a trusted expert on contaminated site investigation and remediation, with the ability to guide multidisciplinary teams, advise clients on evolving regulatory and risk considerations, and develop practical, sustainable solutions for complex environmental challenges.

At INTERA, Principals are part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary group of geoscience and engineering leaders who work together to solve some of the most challenging environmental and water resource problems. Many of our principals have spent 10 to 25 years with INTERA because of our technical culture, entrepreneurial environment, and commitment to meaningful client service. Candidates who bring technical depth, strategic thinking, and collaborative leadership are encouraged to join INTERA and help deliver meaningful solutions that make a lasting difference.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical authority for complex contaminated site investigations, remediation projects, and emerging contaminant issues
• Lead the development of conceptual site models, groundwater flow evaluations, contaminant fate and transport analyses, and remedial strategies
• Provide expert guidance on contaminants including PFAS, chlorinated solvents, petroleum hydrocarbons, metals, and other regulated constituents
• Evaluate and recommend innovative and conventional remediation technologies based on site conditions, regulatory drivers, risk considerations, and client objectives
• Advise clients on evolving regulatory frameworks, analytical methods, risk assessment considerations, and sustainable remediation approaches
• Direct large, multidisciplinary remediation projects, including Superfund, Voluntary Remediation Program, and Petroleum Storage Tank projects
• Guide project teams through remedial investigations, feasibility studies, human health and ecological risk assessments, remedial design, and implementation
• Provide technical oversight, senior review, and quality assurance across multiple projects and deliverables
• Lead proposal strategy and development for large, multi-year contracts and strategic pursuits
• Build and expand client relationships, identify new opportunities, and support business growth in New Mexico and surrounding states
• Mentor technical staff and contribute to internal technical advisory groups and communities of practice

Required Qualifications

• 20+ years of experience working as an environmental professional with consulting firm(s)
• Experience in chlorinated hydrocarbon, petroleum hydrocarbon, and 1,4-dioxane investigation and remediation methods
• Bachelor’s degree in civil, environmental, geological, or chemical engineering, geology, hydrogeology, or a related field
• Broad technical knowledge base and experience in site investigation and remediation, groundwater characterization and modeling, regulatory frameworks (state agencies, Superfund, etc)
• Experience and knowledge of New Mexico-specific hydrogeology and/or geology
• Proven track record of technical leadership, project delivery, and budget management on complex projects
• Demonstrated experience supporting business development efforts
• Strong communication skills and the ability to translate complex science into actionable insights for clients and stakeholders
• Willingness to travel to project sites, client offices, and INTERA offices

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional licensure (PG or PE)
• Advanced (Master or PhD) degree in civil, environmental, geological, or chemical engineering, geology, hydrogeology, or a related field
• Experience with PFAS investigations and remediation
• Experience in proposal development and client growth
• Strong understanding of New Mexico regulatory laws, regulations, and rules
• Working knowledge or experience with fate and transport models to predict movement of contaminants in vadose zone and groundwater
• Demonstrated leadership in team and mentoring settings
• Active participation in environmental professional organizations
• HAZWOPER training

About INTERA & Our Benefits

INTERA is a Top Workplaces USA 2025 award winner!

Founded in 1974, INTERA has grown into an international geosciences and engineering consulting firm that helps clients make informed business decisions, mitigate risk, and drive optimal outcomes in a multitude of industries. Building and sustaining a strong company culture is at the heart of INTERA’s practice of good stewardship. We strive to foster an environment where people love the work that they do and the place that they work because we believe that our employees are our most valuable asset. As an employee-owned company, we are committed to investing in our people’s needs for security, health, and well-being with:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance that includes a free health plan option for employee-only coverage
• Paid parental leave – up to 12 weeks for birthing and non-birthing parents
• Group term life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short-term and long-term coverage – paid 100% by the company
• Paid holiday, vacation, and sick time
• Opportunities for stock ownership
• Performance-based bonuses and award programs for technical paper publication and employee referrals
• Career coaching instead of performance evaluations
• Tuition reimbursement, financial assistance for professional licensure and registration, and one paid membership to a professional society
• Pet insurance, LegalShield, IDShield, and more

These are just some of the reasons why many of our employees have spent 10 to 25 years at INTERA. We love what we do, and it shows.