Job Title: Geotechnical Project Manager
Job Description
The Geotechnical Project Manager leads geotechnical engineering and construction-phase projects from initial pursuit and scope development through technical execution, contract management, and project closeout. This role combines technical geotechnical design, construction materials testing oversight, and special inspections with project management, client-facing responsibilities, and team leadership. The position offers the opportunity to shape and grow a regional market, contribute to business development, and build long-term client relationships while delivering high-quality, compliant, and profitable projects.
Responsibilities
- Lead geotechnical engineering projects from initial pursuit and scope definition through design, construction support, and project closeout, ensuring quality deliverables and adherence to project requirements and industry standards.
- Analyze and design geotechnical systems, including shallow and deep foundations, earth-retention systems, slope stabilization measures, and ground-improvement solutions, and ensure designs are technically sound and constructible.
- Prepare and review detailed geotechnical reports, engineering calculations, specifications, and engineering recommendations that clearly communicate technical findings and design rationale.
- Plan and coordinate subsurface explorations and field investigations to obtain soil, rock, and groundwater data required for geotechnical analyses and design.
- Develop and oversee laboratory testing programs for soil, rock, and construction materials to support engineering analyses, design decisions, and quality assurance requirements.
- Manage construction materials testing and special inspection activities, ensuring that testing and inspection procedures comply with applicable codes, standards, and project specifications.
- Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineers, technicians, and field staff, fostering professional growth and maintaining high technical standards within the team.
- Lead and support construction observation activities, including reviewing field conditions, interpreting test results, and resolving geotechnical and materials-related issues during construction.
- Ensure all field and laboratory work complies with quality, safety, and project-management procedures, and promptly address any nonconformance or safety concerns.
- Develop project scopes, fees, schedules, budgets, staffing plans, and technical approaches that align with client needs and project objectives.
- Monitor project performance, including schedule, budget, resource utilization, and profitability, and implement corrective actions to keep projects on time and within budget.
- Serve as a primary client-facing contact, communicating engineering recommendations, project updates, field observations, and technical findings in a clear and responsive manner.
- Support and participate in proposal development, including technical approach, level-of-effort estimates, and fee development for new and existing clients.
- Contribute to contract negotiations by helping define scope, deliverables, and expectations to reduce risk and set projects up for successful execution.
- Engage in business development activities, including relationship building, networking, and identifying and pursuing new project opportunities.
- Help build and expand the regional market, particularly in the Charlotte area, by developing client relationships and demonstrating the firms geotechnical and materials testing capabilities.
- Manage and coordinate a team of approximately seven staff members, balancing workloads, supporting professional development, and ensuring effective collaboration between field and office personnel.
- Collaborate with contractors, architects, developers, and other project stakeholders to integrate geotechnical recommendations into overall project design and construction plans.
- Support design-build and construction management delivery approaches by providing timely geotechnical input, design iterations, and constructability feedback.
- Promote an entrepreneurial mindset within the team by identifying process improvements, new service offerings, and opportunities to enhance client value.
Essential Skills
- Strong in geotechnical engineering, including analysis and design of shallow and deep foundations, earth-retention systems, slope stabilization, and ground-improvement solutions.
- Demonstrated experience in geotechnical testing and inspections, including oversight of field investigations, laboratory testing programs, and construction-phase services.
- Proficiency in construction materials testing and special inspection practices, with the ability to interpret test results and ensure compliance with project specifications and applicable standards.
- Project management experience overseeing geotechnical or construction-related projects from scope development through completion, including scheduling, budgeting, and resource management.
- Proven ability to lead and manage people, including supervising and mentoring a team of engineers, technicians, and field staff.
- Client-facing experience with the ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships and communicate technical information clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
- Technical leadership skills with the ability to review and approve calculations, reports, and recommendations for accuracy and sound engineering judgment.
- Experience supporting or performing construction observation and resolving geotechnical and materials-related issues in the field.
- Ability to develop project scopes, fees, and staffing plans and to monitor project performance, profitability, and resource utilization.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, for preparing reports, delivering recommendations, and conducting client and stakeholder meetings.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to identify and pursue new project opportunities and support business development efforts.
- Familiarity with design-build and construction management project delivery methods.
- Professional Engineer (PE) or track record in a similar level of professional responsibility in geotechnical engineering.
- ACI-related or similar concrete testing and inspection experience or certification.
- Demonstrated ability to manage relationships and act as a trusted advisor to clients.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience managing a geotechnical or construction materials testing team of approximately seven people or similar-sized groups.
- Business development, including networking, proposal support, and helping secure new work.
- Experience in design and scheduling within construction or design-build environments.
- Track record of working as a relationship-focused professional who can maintain and grow a client base.
- Entrepreneurial mindset, including comfort with taking initiative to build a market or service line.
- Experience bringing existing client relationships or demonstrated ability to develop new clients and maintain long-term partnerships.
- Familiarity with materials testing standards and best practices, particularly for concrete and other structural materials.
- Interest in long-term growth opportunities, including potential paths to ownership or partnership within a firm.
Work Environment
The role is based in the Charlotte, NC area and involves a balanced mix of office and field work. In the office, the Geotechnical Project Manager focuses on analysis and design, report preparation, project planning, and client communication. In the field, the role oversees subsurface explorations, construction materials testing, special inspections, and construction observation activities, working closely with technicians and field staff. The position includes managing a team of approximately seven people, coordinating their field and office responsibilities, and ensuring effective collaboration across project phases. The work environment supports a growth-oriented, entrepreneurial culture, with opportunities to help build and expand the local market and to participate in long-term ownership or partnership paths. A company truck is available for work-related travel between office, field, and project sites. The setting is professional, project-focused, and collaborative, with regular interaction with contractors, architects, developers, and other project stakeholders.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Charlotte, NC.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $62.00 - $76.00/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Charlotte, NC.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 30, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Charlotte,NC.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
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