Principal Geotechnical Engineer
Company websitesocotec.us (SOCOTEC, opens in new tab)
Base salary From $170K
Employer-published annual base salary, USD. Advertised base range in West Sacramento, CA
You apply on the employer's own site. Six Figure Work does not handle applications.
- LocationWest Sacramento, CA
- WorkplaceWorkplace not stated
- Status at last checkSource accepting applications when checked
- Last checked (43 min ago) · observed since
About this job
Company Description
About SOCOTEC:
SOCOTEC is a provider of niche consulting services within the architecture, engineering and construction industries focusing on high-performance buildings and specialty structures. Through an integrated, holistic approach, our professionals provide solutions for building envelope, energy efficiency, sustainability, code advisory and construction advisory projects.
SOCOTEC offers competitive salary and benefits, mentorship, training, and social activities.
SOCOTEC is proud to announce that it has been officially certified as a Great Place to Work by the renowned global authority on workplace culture, Great Place to Work®.
Job Description
We are seeking a Principal Geotechnical Engineer to provide technical leadership, project oversight, client management, and business development support for a diverse portfolio of public and private sector projects. This senior leadership role is responsible for mentoring staff, maintaining client relationships, ensuring technical excellence, and supporting the continued growth of the geotechnical practice in the Sacramento area.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a technical leader for geotechnical engineering projects ranging from small developments to large, complex public and private infrastructure projects.
- Direct, oversee, and provide quality review of geotechnical investigations, analyses, designs, and engineering recommendations.
- Review, approve, and sign geotechnical proposals, reports, and technical deliverables.
- Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for engineering staff.
- Lead project planning, execution, and quality assurance efforts to ensure successful project delivery.
- Maintain and strengthen relationships with existing clients while supporting new business development initiatives.
- Participate in marketing efforts, client presentations, and proposal pursuits.
- Provide leadership and training to engineering staff on technical and professional matters.
- Support multidisciplinary project teams and collaborate with clients, contractors, architects, and design professionals.
- Assist with strategic planning and growth initiatives for the geotechnical practice.
- Provide technical support during construction, earthwork, and foundation-related activities as needed.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering.
- California Geotechnical Engineer (GE) license required.
- Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in California.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience with a geotechnical consulting firm, including project management and technical leadership responsibilities.
- Extensive knowledge of geotechnical engineering principles, analyses, investigations, and design practices.
- Experience managing and reviewing geotechnical reports, proposals, and engineering recommendations.
- Proven ability to lead teams, mentor staff, and manage client relationships.
- Strong understanding of construction, grading, earthwork, foundations, and geotechnical construction support services.
- Excellent interpersonal, leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate technical information to clients and project teams.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience serving public agencies, transportation agencies, municipalities, utilities, developers, and private-sector clients.
- Demonstrated success in business development, client management, and practice growth.
- Experience managing multidisciplinary projects and coordinating with other engineering disciplines.
- Established professional relationships within the California engineering and construction industry.
- Proven track record of delivering high-quality technical work and maintaining long-term client partnerships.
Additional Information
Salary range: $170,000-200,000, depending on experience
Your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
For more information, please visit www.socotec.us
Job Type: Full-Time; in-office, with possibility of one day remote/ hybrid schedule
SOCOTEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
SOCOTEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Source: SOCOTEC on SmartRecruiters · View original posting (opens in new tab)
Pay in context
This role's base floor ($170,000) is above 72% of the 2,097 Engineering (non-software) roles in California listed on this site; 31 others list the same floor. Their median floor is $146,200; the middle half runs from $124,000 to $174,000.
Only jobs on this site count, and each one publishes a base salary of $100,000 or more, so this compares six-figure jobs with each other, not with the whole market. Computed Nov 7, 2026.
This listingPrincipal Geotechnical EngineerFrom $170K
Director, HR Operations & Total Rewards$175K to $200K
Principal Engineer - Transport$150K to $225K
Building Envelope - Senior Associate (licensed engineer or architect)From $150K
Building Envelope - Senior Associate (licensed engineer or architect)From $150K
Building Envelope - Senior Associate (licensed engineer or architect)From $150K
Principal, Building Envelope$190K to $240K
Chart as a table
| Role | Published base |
|---|---|
| Principal Geotechnical Engineer (this listing) | From $170K |
| Director, HR Operations & Total Rewards | $175K - $200K |
| Principal Engineer - Transport | $150K - $225K |
| Building Envelope - Senior Associate (licensed engineer or architect) | From $150K |
| Building Envelope - Senior Associate (licensed engineer or architect) | From $150K |
| Building Envelope - Senior Associate (licensed engineer or architect) | From $150K |
| Principal, Building Envelope | $190K - $240K |
Observed changes
- First observed on the employer's board
- Began meeting the published-salary criteria
- Observed since
- Employer-stated posting date
- 2026-10-23
Where this pay comes from
Location as the employer wrote it: West Sacramento, CA, United States
Salary range: $170,000-200,000, depending on experience
- Method
- Employer text, read with fixed rules and re-verified
- Checked
- Rule set
- us-base-v2
The pay passage appears in the employer's own job text. Fixed, deterministic rules located it, and the passage below was checked against the stored copy of the posting.
What we verified
- The pay figures come from the employer's own listing, quoted exactly above.
- The pay is an annual base salary in US dollars with a minimum of at least $100,000.
- The role was publicly listed on the employer's job board when last checked.
We do not verify what the employer will actually offer, whether the employer is still recruiting for the role, or anything beyond what the employer published. Full methodology.