Job details

Principal Engineer, Transportation

Overview:

UES is a privately held, rapidly growing engineering and consulting firm with nearly six decades of experience in geotechnical engineering, construction materials testing, building code compliance, threshold inspections and environmental consulting. With more than 3,800 professionals across 80+ branches in high growth markets in the U.S., UES consults on projects of all sizes for public and private clients in industries ranging from transportation and healthcare to commercial, residential, and education.

Experienced and proven, UES is considered a pioneer of the industry and stands at the forefront of emerging technology and best practices. Our work includes public and private clients, as well as public-private partnerships, and consists of projects ranging from transportation and infrastructure to aviation and aerospace. Our engineers, geologists, certified inspectors, scientists, and drillers offer an unwavering commitment to excellence, approaching each project with the knowledge that precision, professionalism, and creative solutions are what drive success and cultivate enduring client relationships.

As UES continues to grow, it’s critical that we have a defined set of values that guide us like a north star. These values need to demonstrate who we are as a company and what we believe. STRIVE stands for Safety, Teamwork, Responsiveness, Integrity, Value, and Excellence.

Summary

The Principal Engineer specializes in providing geotechnical expertise for transportation infrastructure projects. Responsibilities include performing geotechnical evaluations, designing deep foundations, retaining walls and pavement sections and ensuring compliance with standards. This role involves collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, managing project schedules and budgets, mentoring junior engineers, and supporting business development efforts.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Required to drive, stand, walk, use hands to type, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance, talk, and hear. Body motions and movements include: bending, twisting, reaching, stooping, pulling, kneeling, lifting, carrying, and pushing. Standing or sitting for extended periods of time may be required.

• Lifting and/or moving up to twenty-five pounds is expected regularly. Occasional lifting and/or moving up to seventy-five pounds is expected occasionally.

• Climbing a ladder may be required.

• Job site conditions may or may not be accessible by vehicle and can include uneven surfaces, sand, and other natural and man-made obstacles.

• This job may be exposed to outside weather conditions and construction sites where the noise level may be more than moderate for extended periods of time. The typical noise level of this job is moderate.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Oversee and perform geotechnical designs for FDOT roadway and bridge projects, including deep foundations, retaining walls, and pavement sections.
Conduct geotechnical evaluations addressing soil stabilization, foundation design, slope stability, lateral foundation evaluations, settlement studies, retaining walls, and roadway stability assessments.
Review and approve geotechnical reports, calculations, and project deliverables.
Lead geotechnical efforts for Design-Bid-Build and Design-Build projects, ensuring compliance with FDOT standards and specifications.
Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, including roadway and bridge engineers, during design and construction phases.
Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, and deliverables to ensure timely and cost-effective project completion.
Provide mentorship and support to junior geotechnical engineers and department managers, fostering a collaborative team environment.
Prepare proposals, scope of work, and project management plans for FDOT and municipal transportation projects.
Apply advanced geotechnical expertise, including pile driving analysis, load tests, structural design of pile elements, and underpinning systems.
Collaborate with local drilling teams to scope, coordinate, and invoice drilling activities.
Interpret subsurface geologic, hydrogeologic, and engineering conditions to inform project designs and decisions.
Prepare and deliver technical reports, specifications, and presentations for clients, stakeholders, and regulatory agencies.
Administer and oversee geotechnical load tests, ensuring accurate and reliable results.
Troubleshoot client issues, maintain strong client relationships, and attend client meetings as required.
Ensure projects meet budget, schedule, and quality requirements, proactively addressing any challenges.
Support business development efforts by attending events, growing the geotechnical service line, and pursuing new transportation work opportunities.
Stay informed of advancements in geotechnical technologies, FDOT practices, and industry standards.
Use computer-aided design and engineering software to prepare reports and design documents.
Represent the organization in business development and networking events to expand transportation services across the state.
Other duties may be assigned.

Required Qualifications:

Valid Florida Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record (in accordance with our Driver’s License and Motor Vehicle Record Check Criteria)
Ability to pass a background check screening in accordance with Florida’s Jessica Lunsford Act (or equivalent state classification).
Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering or a related field.
10+ years of geotechnical engineering experience, including work on transportation projects.
Registered Professional Engineer (PE) in the state of Florida.
Familiarity with Design-Bid-Build and Design-Build project delivery methods.
Proven expertise in deep foundations, retaining walls and Florida pavement sections.
Understanding of FDOT specifications, standards and construction practices.
Ability to travel within Florida to attend site visits, client meetings, business development events, and other meetings
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or clients.
Computer skills sufficient to operate a laptop and cell phone, including sending and receiving emails, prepare and present PowerPoint Presentations, and learn Deltek Vision, SAP Concur, and various geotechnical software(s). Advanced computer skills that require an in-depth understanding of various engineering software.
Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations. Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in Civil, Geotechnical, Environmental, or Structural Engineering or similar
Proficiency with various geotechnical software, such as LPILE, GeoStudio or similar tools.
Willingness to travel as needed for projects.
Ability to work independently and in a team environment.

Who We Are:

UES provides essential engineering services for some of the most prominent and significant projects in the nation. Our team members, from our drillers to administrative staff, contribute directly to projects that transform communities. With some of the greatest talent in Geotechnical Engineering, Construction Materials Testing and Inspection, Code Compliance, Environmental, Occupational Health & Safety, and Building Envelope, we are committed to delivering groundbreaking solutions for our clients. At the core of our success is our team members who make it all possible. We know that the projects we deliver are only as good as our people, which is why we offer enriching opportunities for career growth at every level.

Growing in Excellence

As the #1 fastest growing AEC firm on The Zweig Group's Hot Firm list in 2021, UES is poised to lead our industry into the future. As we evolve from a one-man operation to a company spanning 75 branches and 3,500 employees, we’re looking for enthusiastic talent to launch their careers and grow along with us.

Why Work at UES?

We value the individual contributions of our employees, and we show this through providing great benefits. Please ask your recruiter what benefits plans apply to you.

Check out our website: https://teamues.com/

#GroundedInExcellence

EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran Universal Engineering Sciences is a Drug-Free Workplace. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Average salary estimate

$110000 / YEARLY (est.)

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$90000K

$130000K

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What You Should Know About Principal Engineer, Transportation, Universal Engineering Sciences

Join UES as a Principal Engineer specializing in Transportation, where you'll play a pivotal role in shaping the infrastructure landscape of Florida. Based in Jacksonville, FL, you'll work with a talented group of professionals who are dedicated to delivering high-quality geotechnical engineering services. Your expertise will be crucial in conducting in-depth geotechnical evaluations, designing deep foundations, retaining walls, and pavement sections for both public and private projects. At UES, we’re more than just a consulting firm; we’re pioneers in the industry with nearly 60 years under our belt, and we value safety, teamwork, responsiveness, integrity, value, and excellence—our guiding principles that make us who we are. As a Principal Engineer, you will not only lead the geotechnical efforts for various projects but also mentor junior engineers while managing project schedules and budgets. The job is dynamic and collaborative, involving coordination with a multidisciplinary team, so your communication skills and project management experience will be put to good use. If you are passionate about making a tangible impact in your community and excelling in a fast-paced environment, UES offers a unique opportunity for you to grow and thrive while contributing to vital infrastructure projects that will benefit generations to come.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Principal Engineer, Transportation Role at Universal Engineering Sciences

What are the key responsibilities of the Principal Engineer at UES in Jacksonville, FL?

As a Principal Engineer at UES in Jacksonville, FL, your key responsibilities will include conducting geotechnical evaluations for transportation infrastructure projects, designing deep foundations, retaining walls, and pavement sections, and ensuring all work complies with FDOT standards. You'll collaborate with a team of engineers and lead initiatives for both Design-Bid-Build and Design-Build projects, all while managing your project budgets and schedules.