Principal Engineer Design Team Lead

The Role

The Principal Engineer - Design Team Lead is a player/coach role critical to GeoStabilization International (GSI)s ability to scale high-quality engineering output while developing the next generation of technical leaders.

You will be accountable for engineering excellence talent development and delivery discipline across a region and/or client sector. You will remain hands-on with complex high-risk work while building a team that can consistently deliver innovative constructible and cost-effective solutions.

This role has clear runway into Director-level engineering leadership for individuals who demonstrate strong judgment team-building capability and sustained results.

Who We Are

GSI develops and installs innovative solutions that protect people and infrastructure from the dangers of geohazards. We specialize in emergency landslide repairs rockfall mitigation ground anchors earth retention deep foundations and grouting - delivered through cutting-edge design/build and design/build/warranty contracting.

GSI is the leading geohazard mitigation and bridge rehabilitation firm operating throughout the United States Canada and Australasia. Our proprietary tools technical depth and global partnerships allow us to solve slope stability and foundation challenges in virtually any geologic setting.

Our Culture

GSI operates with urgency discipline and extreme ownership. We are fast-paced but team-oriented innovative yet grounded in data and relentlessly client-focused. Our best leaders make sound decisions under pressure act with courage and remain resilient when conditions are uncertain or constrained.

This role is for engineers who take pride in craftsmanship accountability and developing others - leaders who raise the bar for both technical excellence and team performance.

Benefits

• Great medical dental and vision insurance options with additional programs available when enrolled
• Mental health benefits
• 401(k) plan to help save for your future including company match
• In addition to 7 observed holidays salaried team members have flexible paid time off
• Paid parental leave

Technical Leadership & Engineering Excellence (40%)

• Serve as technical authority for moderately complex to highly complex geotechnical and geostructural projects.
• Act as Engineer of Record (EOR) owning design integrity risk management and constructability.
• Set and enforce high standards for design efficiency elegance and accuracy.
• Review and approve engineering deliverables; ensure schedules and quality commitments are met.
• Represent GSI as a senior technical expert in client meetings negotiations and external forums.
• Select manage and evaluate external consultants and subject-matter experts including contract negotiation and invoice approval.

People Leadership & Talent Development (40%)

• Build mentor and retain a high-performing design team with depth today and leadership capacity for the future.
• Own hiring decisions for the design team - prioritizing intellectual horsepower resilience and growth trajectory.
• Balance workload across the team to optimize delivery development and utilization.
• Conduct regular 1-on-1s mid-year and annual performance reviews with clear expectations and feedback.
• Drive engagement accountability and continuous improvement across the team.
• Assign work intentionally based on business needs individual strengths and development goals.

Process Design & Cross-Functional Leadership (20%)

• Ensure on-time delivery of engineering and proposal deliverables.
• Serve as the voice of the Design Team in cross-functional initiatives tools and process improvements.
• Actively participate on the Estimating and Design Group Leadership Team.
• Improve interfaces between Design Estimating Operations and Sales to reduce friction and increase win-rate and execution quality.

What Success Looks Like

• Consistently high-quality constructible designs delivered on time.
• A bench of engineers who are growing in capability judgment and leadership.
• Improved design efficiency reduced rework and better risk outcomes.
• Strong trust and credibility with clients project managers and commercial leaders.
• Clear succession readiness for senior engineering leadership roles.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS in Civil Engineering Geological Engineering or equivalent.
• 10 years of relevant professional experience.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams and delivering against performance metrics.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS in Civil or Geological Engineering with geotechnical or geostructural emphasis.
• 15 years of experience across multiple facets of geotechnical design and construction.
• GE and/or SE licensure.
• Numerical modeling experience.
• Experience leading interdisciplinary engineering teams.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Deep expertise in Engineering Geology Geotechnical Engineering and Geotechnical Construction.
• Strong judgment under ambiguity informed by data and experience.
• Ability to translate construction means methods cost and schedule into better engineering decisions.
• Proven ability to lead diverse teams toward clear measurable outcomes.
• Comfort operating in fast-paced frontline construction-driven environments.

Travel: up to 25% company-sponsored travel within North America.

GeoStabilization International LLC. is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity or expression pregnancy age national origin disability status genetic information protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

This role will be in-office on a hybrid schedule. Employees will be expected to work in theWestminster CO office3 days per week on Tuesdays Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Remote work outside of Colorado (within the US) may be considered on a case-by-case basis with additional approval.

The expected annual base salary range for this position in the Denver CO area is $140000 - $160000. Salary ranges are dependent on a variety of factors including qualifications experience and geographic location. Range is not inclusive of potential bonus or benefits.