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Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Universal Engineering Sciences

  • Overland Park, KS
  • 1 day ago
  • Full-time

Highlights

Physical Demands & Work Environment: Work is primarily conducted outdoors with exposure to outdoor conditions, including: Sites that may not be accessible by vehicle, requiring travel on foot through wetlands, swamps, grasslands, construction zones, and other uneven or rugged terrain with natural and man-made obstacles such as sand, brush, and debris. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced geotechnical professional to step into a highly visible leadership role, influence the growth of our geotechnical practice in the Kansas City market, and help shape the future of a rapidly expanding team.

Numbers & Facts

LocationOverland Park, KS
Job TypeFull-time
IndustryConstruction
Company Size500 to 999 employees
Year Founded1964
Websitehttp://universalengineering.com/

Description

Who We Are:

At UES, we’re a team of more than 4,000 engineers, scientists, geologists, inspectors, technicians, and drillers united by a shared purpose—to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. As a national leader in geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, and materials testing and inspection, we collaborate on transformative projects across transportation, energy, water, healthcare, and more. Learn more about the benefits of joining Team UES and our core values at careers.teamues.com.

Position Overview:

Build What Matters. Lead What’s Next.

At UES, we don’t just evaluate the ground beneath projects, we help create the foundation for some of the most important infrastructure, commercial, transportation, and development projects in the communities we serve.
We are looking for a Senior Geotechnical Engineer who is ready for more than just project execution. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced geotechnical professional to step into a highly visible leadership role, influence the growth of our geotechnical practice in the Kansas City market, and help shape the future of a rapidly expanding team.
 
If you're energized by solving complex engineering challenges, mentoring future talent, building strong client relationships, and having a seat at the table in strategic decisions, we'd love to talk with you.
 

Why This Role Stands Out

 

This is more than a technical position.
 
As a senior leader within our geotechnical team, you'll have the opportunity to:
  • Lead high-impact projects across transportation, infrastructure, energy, industrial, and commercial markets
  • Influence the strategic direction and growth of the geotechnical practice in the region
  • Mentor and develop the next generation of engineers and technical professionals
  • Partner directly with clients, decision-makers, and project stakeholders on complex and meaningful projects
  • Help drive innovation and best practices in geotechnical engineering and consulting
  • Play a key role in expanding our market presence and strengthening long-term client partnerships

What Makes You Successful

We're looking for a leader who brings both technical credibility and a passion for growing people and business.
You are someone who:
  • Enjoys tackling complex engineering challenges and developing creative solutions
  • Naturally builds trust with clients, colleagues, and project teams
  • Thrives in a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment
  • Is motivated by mentoring and developing emerging talent
  • Brings a strong sense of ownership, accountability, and strategic thinking
  • Wants to make a lasting impact on projects, clients, and team culture
Responsibilities:
  • Lead complex and high-profile geotechnical projects that support critical infrastructure, transportation, commercial, industrial, and energy developments throughout the region.
  • Serve as a trusted technical advisor, delivering innovative and practical solutions that help clients overcome challenging site and subsurface conditions.
  • Partner directly with developers, architects, contractors, and public agencies to drive project success from early planning through construction.
  • Help grow and expand UES's geotechnical presence in the market by developing new client relationships, identifying opportunities, and contributing to strategic business initiatives.
  • Inspire and mentor a growing team of engineers and technical professionals, fostering a culture built on collaboration, learning, and technical excellence.
  • Provide technical leadership and quality oversight on geotechnical investigations, engineering analyses, and design recommendations, ensuring exceptional project delivery.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across the organization to provide integrated solutions that create value for clients and communities.
  • Champion innovation, continuous improvement, and industry best practices while helping advance the technical capabilities of our geotechnical team.
  • Represent UES as an industry leader through professional organizations, conferences, client presentations, and community engagement opportunities.
  • Play an instrumental role in building the next generation of geotechnical leadership within the organization while creating your own pathway toward expanded leadership responsibilities.
Job Responsibilities Note:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. UES retains the right to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering (Master’s strongly preferred).
  • 8+ years of progressive geotechnical engineering experience, with at least 3 years in a senior or lead role.
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
  • Recognized expertise in advanced geotechnical modeling, soil-structure interaction, and ground improvement technologies.
  • Proven track record of successfully managing large-scale, complex projects.

  • Exceptional communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.
  • Active participation in professional organizations (e.g., ASCE, DFI, Geo-Institute) preferred.
  • Ability to travel extensively for client and project needs.

    Travel Requirements:

    This position requires minimal local travel. Adherence to all company safety protocols and use of PPE is required during travel and on-site work.

    Physical Demands & Work Environment:
    • Work is primarily conducted outdoors with exposure to outdoor conditions, including:
      • Sites that may not be accessible by vehicle, requiring travel on foot through wetlands, swamps, grasslands, construction zones, and other uneven or rugged terrain with natural and man-made obstacles such as sand, brush, and debris.
      • Moderate to loud noise levels due to lab equipment, field operations, and construction environments.
      • Exposure to dirt, dust, chemicals, sun, heat, humidity, and varying weather conditions as part of field sample collection and testing.
    • Physical requirements include:
      • Ability to lift and carry between 35 and 75 lbs. over distances up to 75 feet, involving regular repetitive motion.
      • Ability to stand, walk, drive, and operate laboratory and field equipment for extended periods.
      • Ability to bend, twist, reach, stoop, pull, kneel, climb, balance, lift, carry, and push as required for laboratory and fieldwork.
      • Ability to use your senses to see (including close, distant, and peripheral vison, depth vision, and ability to focus) smell, hear, touch (use hands to reach climb or balance, crouch, stoop, crawl, kneel and sit).
      • Ability to communicate effectively through verbal and written means in a lab and field environment, often requiring the use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).
    EEO Statement:

    UES is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is proud to recruit the most qualified candidates. Please see our full EEO Statement at the bottom of the page here

About Company

Universal Engineering Sciences, Inc. (Universal) is a consulting engineering firm specializing in geotechnical engineering, environmental sciences, construction materials testing, and threshold inspection. We are a growing, competitive firm with a strong position and reputation in our industry. We are always looking for ways to provide enhanced services. With this in mind, we began offering private provider inspection (PPI) and plan review in 2003, and added in-house geophysical engineering and surveys to our already wide range of construction-related services.

Universal’s mission is to do “WHATEVER IT TAKES” to provide our services with a primary focus on understanding and delivering solutions for each of our individual client’s needs, be that timeliness, cost-saving recommendations, ingenuity or any other requirement they may have.

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