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43216BR

Requisition ID:

43216BR

Business Unit:

TSU

Job Description:

With general direction, performs and leads engineering for dams, levees, embankments, spillways, outlet works, and critical water infrastructure across the western United States. This role is centered on dam safety, flood-risk reduction, and delivery of complex, meaningful projects with direct public-safety impact. You will join a supportive, multidisciplinary team within a nationally recognized dams and levees practice, with opportunities for technical leadership, project delivery responsibility, and long-term career growth in an employee-owned firm. Primary responsibilities include:

•\tPerforms issue identification and preliminary evaluations for existing dams and levees through inspection, condition assessment, instrumentation review, performance history, and surveillance data. Ensures that firm policies and practices are followed on all designs.

•\tSupports needs definition and basis-of-design development for new dam, levee, and water infrastructure projects.

•\tPlans and performs geologic and geotechnical field investigations, including explorations, drilling, sampling, in-situ testing, laboratory testing, and site reconnaissance.

•\tDevelops geotechnical and geologic characterization models to support alternatives analysis, design criteria, and risk assessment.

•\tPerform or supports site-specific seismic hazard assessments (SSHA), including probabilistic and deterministic analyses, site response modeling, and development of seismic loading parameters.

•\tPerforms conceptual and feasibility-level alternatives analyses for dams, levees, spillways, foundations, and appurtenant structures, integrating geotechnical performance, constructability, cost, schedule, and risk considerations.

•\tDevelops risk-reduction measures and improvement alternatives consistent with FEMA, FERC, and state dam safety guidelines.

•\tPerforms and reviews stability, seepage, settlement, liquefaction, and deformation analyses for dams and levees using numerical modeling and spreadsheet methods to assess internal erosion susceptibility, seepage gradients, allowable deformations, seismic loading effects, and overall embankment performance.

•\tProvides construction-phase engineering support including RFI evaluation, submittal review, field engineering, contractor coordination, and technical issue resolution.

•\tPerforms and supports risk assessments through PFMA development, potential failure mode characterization, likelihood/consequence evaluations, geotechnical fragility curve development, and integrates findings into risk assessment reports.

•\tImplements risk informed decision making throughout the project lifecycle by incorporating decisions at key project milestones (alternatives selection, design advancement, construction change evaluation).

•\tProvides geotechnical engineering support for water and wastewater treatment facilities, conveyance infrastructure, transportation projects, and building/structural projects, including foundations, excavation support, slopes, pavements, and geoenvironmental evaluations.

•\tContributes to firm's Technical Knowledge Portal by developing white papers and technical design documentation of new or special case designs, studies, etc.

•\tSubmits technical papers and designs for publishing to technical journals.

•\tEngages with dam owners, water agencies, and municipalities to understand facility needs, develop project scopes, and deliver solutions-oriented dam and levee safety support.

•\tCollaborates with sales staff to create proposals in response to current and potential client requests for proposal (RFPs). Reviews draft proposals prepared by others for adherence to firm, industry, state, local and federal requirements and best practices.

•\tProvides technical review, mentorship, and development of junior staff and may supervise junior engineers on project assignments. Participates in professional review of junior staff.

•\tMaintains professional registration, etc. to improve the visibility of the firm's products and services.

Job Title:

Geotechnical Engineer 5

Group:

ISO

Certification/License Requirements:

Professional Engineer

Employment Type:

Regular

Minimum Qualifications:

- Bachelor's degree in Geotechnical, Civil, Mining or Geologic Engineering or related discipline.

- Professional engineering (PE) license.

- 7 years of related experience.

- Domestic and/or international travel may be required. The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands.

- Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Preferred Qualifications:

•\tMaster's Degree in Geotechnical Engineering

•\tExperience planning and performing geotechnical investigations for dam and levee evaluation, rehabilitation, or construction projects.

•\tDemonstrated experience preparing plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) for embankment dams, levees, spillways, or water infrastructure projects.

•\tExperience providing construction-phase engineering support, construction inspection, or field engineering for embankment, foundation, seepage-control, or hydraulic-structure projects.

•\tExperience applying FERC Engineering Guidelines, USACE Engineering Regulations (ER/EM), U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) Dam Safety Program guidance, California DSOD regulations, and FEMA dam safety and levee accreditation requirements.

•\tExperience with levee design, construction, or rehabilitation under USACE jurisdiction, including familiarity with design documentation, review processes, and construction QA/QC expectations.

•\tExperience supporting levee evaluations and improvements for FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) mapping, certification, or accreditation.

•\tPrior involvement in dam or levee risk analyses, PFMA development, SQRA/QRA, fragility assessments, or risk-informed alternatives analysis.

•\tPrior experience working with water agencies, irrigation districts, flood control districts, or hydropower operators on dam safety or levee improvement projects.

EEO Statement:

We attract the best people in the industry, supporting their efforts to learn and grow. We strive to create a challenging and progressive work environment. We provide career opportunities that span a variety of disciplines and geographic locations, with projects that our employees plan, design, build and operate as diverse as the needs of our clients. CDM Smith is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Why CDM Smith?:

Check out this video and find out why our team loves to work here! (https://www.cdmsmith.com/en/Video/Meet-CDM-Smith)

Join Us! CDM Smith – where amazing career journeys unfold.

Imagine a place committed to offering an unmatched employee experience. Where you work on projects that are meaningful to you. Where you play an active part in shaping your career journey. Where your co-workers are invested in you and your success. Where you are encouraged and supported to do your very best and given the tools and resources to do so. Where it’s a priority that the company takes good care of you and your family.

Our employees are the heart of our company. As an employer of choice, our goal is to provide a challenging, progressive and inclusive work environment which fosters personal leadership, career growth and development for every employee. We value passionate individuals who challenge the norm, deliver world-class solutions and bring diverse perspectives. Join our team, and together we will make a difference and change the world.

Job Site Location:

California - Sacramento

Agency Disclaimer:

All vendors must have a signed CDM Smith Placement Agreement from the CDM Smith Recruitment Center Manager to receive payment for your placement. Verbal or written commitments from any other member of the CDM Smith staff will not be considered binding terms. All unsolicited resumes sent to CDM Smith and any resume submitted to any employee outside of CDM Smith Recruiting Center Team (RCT) will be considered property of CDM Smith. CDM Smith will not be held liable to pay a placement fee.

Amount of Travel Required:

20%

Assignment Category:

Fulltime-Regular

Visa Sponsorship Available:

No - We will not support sponsorship, i.e. H-1B or TN Visas for this position

Skills and Abilities:

•\tStrong ability to develop and evaluate geotechnical inputs that support dam and levee design, understanding how foundation, embankment, seepage, and seismic characteristics influence structural, hydraulic, and risk-related decisions.

•\tAbility to apply practical engineering judgment to balance technical rigor, constructability, and field conditions during analyses, design development, and construction support.

•\tEffective written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of clear, defensible technical documentation for design teams, clients, and regulators.

•\tAbility to work collaboratively within project teams and coordinate geotechnical information with other engineering disciplines as design progresses.

•\tStrong technical communication skills, including preparation of design reports, engineering memoranda, and regulatory submittals.

•\tProficiency with geotechnical and dam safety modeling tools (e.g., GeoStudio, PLAXIS, FLAC, Rocscience, or equivalent).

Background Check and Drug Testing Information:

CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “CDM Smith”) reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.

Additional Compensation:

All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.

Work Location Options:

Hybrid Work Options may be considered for successful candidate.

Pay Range Minimum:

$103,563

Pay Range Maximum:

$181,230

Additional Pay Range Information:

The pay range for this position is listed above. This pay range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels for this position based on the geographic location assigned to the position. Please note that pay ranges vary based on geographic location. In addition to geographic location, the company considers several other factors when extending an offer including but not limited to the role, function and associated responsibilities, the candidate’s work experience, education/training and key skills.

Massachusetts Applicants:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.