KY Transportation Geotech Section Manager

KY Transportation Geotech Section Manager

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world? Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

Primary Duties

• Lead, plan, execute, and oversee geotechnical tasks on assigned projects independently and collaboratively, with a strong focus on transportation projects in Kentucky, including those for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC)
• Manage and grow a team of geotechnical engineers and technicians across Kentucky offices
• Oversee operations of the geotechnical laboratory, ensuring quality, efficiency, and compliance with testing standards
• Review design and construction submittals for geotechnical compliance with applicable codes, design standards, project requirements, and contract documents
• Conduct geotechnical investigations and design activities for transportation-related projects such as roadways, retaining walls, hydraulic structures, bridges, and railroads
• Maintain effective communication with internal teams and external clients
• Perform geotechnical technical analyses, prepare proposals and reports, and coordinate with designers and contractors to implement recommendations in plans and in the field
• Support development of technical scopes of work, fee proposals, and responses to RFPs related to geotechnical services- Participate in marketing efforts with internal and external clients
• Provide mentorship, supervision, and performance management for geotechnical staff- Serve as Project Manager on select projects, though project management is not the sole focus of this position

Core Competencies

• Ability to independently make decisions and recommendations that impact project direction
• Serve as a technical expert and leader in geotechnical engineering tasks and projects
• Strong knowledge of current technical standards including AASHTO LRFD, FHWA, USACE, AREMA, etc.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate with team members and clients
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex tasks simultaneously

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in geotechnical engineering
• Experience managing technical staff and laboratory operations
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, MicroStation, and geotechnical software such as PCSTABL, LPILE, SHAFT, gINT, Slope/W, Seep/W, APILE, MSEW3.0, GRLWeap, Settle3D
• Experience preparing proposals and geotechnical data/engineering reports independently
• Ability to review others' work for compliance with technical requirements
• Expertise in analyses, including settlement, slope stability, embankment design, foundation design, seismic analysis, ground modification, retaining wall design, and lateral deep foundation response
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring capabilities
• Commitment to HDR's employee-owned culture
• Participation in professional societies such as ASCE or KSPE is encouraged
• Experience with spreadsheets and MATHCAD-based design tool
• Technical Experience (Minimum 3 Years in One or More Areas)
• Deep and shallow foundations
• Retaining walls
• Seismic analysis, including liquefaction and ground modification
• Pavement design and rehabilitation
• Lateral analyses
• Subsurface investigations
• Field and laboratory testing
• Soil compaction and earthwork construction
• Soil mechanics
• Dams, levees, and hydraulic structures
• Foundation inspection and assessment
• Landslide and slope stability evaluations
• Bearing capacity and settlement
• Foundations on alluvial soils and karst bedrock geology
• Erosion protection design
• Project management experience
• Local candidates are preferred

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• A minimum of 10 years experience
• Professional registration, license or certification may be required based on role
• Strong communication and listening skills
• Ability to handle multiple assignments
• Good leadership and organizational skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve. As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected, and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day. Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Primary Location: United States-Kentucky-Louisville

Other Locations: United States-Kentucky-Paducah, United States-Kentucky-Lexington, United States-Kentucky-Elizabethtown

Industry: Highway + Road

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

Business Class: Geotechnical