Senior Engineering Manager 1

GAI Consultants is looking for a Senior Engineering Manager 1 for Geotechnical Engineering in the Richmond, VA Area. Your responsibilities in this position will include leading managing geotechnical projects and staff within the Power Generation Group and for clients serviced by GAI as well as business development initiatives. The successful candidate will be eligible for a sign-on bonus.

Essential Duties:

• Lead and manage projects primarily for Geotechnical Market
• Technically lead engineering tasks in the area of expertise
• Manage staff
• Function as a seller/doer
• Identify, chase, and successfully win new business opportunities

Business Development Responsibilities:

• Up to 25% of job duties will be dedicated to Business Development
• May serve as client contact for projects managed with support from PM Coach.
• Actively wins new work from both new and existing clients by building and maintaining customer relationships, monitoring future work opportunities, communicating regularly, and attending client events.
• Works closely with their PM Coach and/or more experienced PMs to coordinate and develop the proposed scope, schedule, and fee for the entire project.
• Supports senior management in contract negotiations with clients.

Experience Required:

• 16 years: Geotechnical Engineering/Engineering Sales experience
• Demonstrated track record of external customer engagements and building and maintaining successful client relationships
• Demonstrated working knowledge of fundamental project management skills and concepts such as: developing pricing, cost budget monitoring, calculating profit, etc.,
• Willingness to learn GAI-specific project management procedures and requirements
• Motivated, focused, and hard-working
• Solid communication and technical writing skills

General Characteristics

• Uses creativity, foresight, and mature judgment to anticipate and solve new problems.
• Practice activities and culture. Sets priorities and reconciles directions from competing interests.
• Leads projects with complex features with work performed directly, or by others.
• Integrates engineering economics and risk analysis into the solutions of complex engineering problems.
• Integrates solutions to complex problems across specialty areas. Demonstrates leadership

Minimum Years of Experience

• 16+ Years

Education

• B.S. or M.S. Engineering, Master's Degree or Equivalent Experience Preferred

Certification/Licensure

• Professional Engineer (P.E.) License, reciprocity in multiple states.

Technical Responsibilities

• Frequently develops standards and guidelines.
• Leads a project in the practice in their area of specialization. Frequently develops appropriate design alternatives for complex engineering projects that consider realistic requirements, constraints, community input, permitting, and other regulatory constraints.
• Integrates advanced concepts, including sustainability, to solve complex problems.

Project and Task Management

• Frequently oversees technical, legal, and financial issues of an entire project.
• Recommends facilities, personnel, and funds required to carry out projects.
• Integrates these components into a complete project management plan for a complex engineering project.
• Implements effective teamwork and leadership principles into solutions for engineering problems. Determines project objectives and requirements.
• May serve as the Project Manager for certain projects with prior approval from GAI's President up to $150,000 per year.

Management Responsibility

• Supervises a major practice segment or several teams.
• Receives administrative supervision with assignments given in terms of broad general objectives and limits.
• Implements staff development plans within their practice segment, including technical, management, and leadership skills.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of leaders and teams.

Communication Skills

• Possesses exceptional oral and written communication skills, including negotiation of critical issues.
• Integrates different forms of effective and persuasive communication to technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Demonstrates financial acumen and familiarity with legal issues related to engineering practice.
• Initiates and maintains extensive contacts with key engineers and officials.

Physical Requirements

• Lifting/maneuvering requirements: Up to 50 lbs.
• Exposure to outdoor elements: approximately 25% of the day
• Walking long distances outdoors on uneven terrain: approximately 25% of the day
• Operating mid-size or full-size trucks offroad in various weather conditions: approximately 25% of the day
• Climbing, walking, bending, navigating construction landscapes: approximately 25% of the day
• Office environment: 75 %

Why GAI?

GAI offers an exceptional place to do meaningful work, grow your career, and make a real impact in communities nationwide. You’ll join a collaborative, multidisciplinary firm bringing together engineering, planning, and environmental expertise to deliver projects across transportation, infrastructure, power, and energy markets. Working alongside accomplished colleagues, you’ll help move projects from vision through construction, creating solutions that keep people moving, power essential systems, and support responsible development.

At GAI, you’ll work in a team-driven environment grounded in integrity, respect, and shared success, with the flexibility, resources, and career support that reflect a real and lasting commitment to our people. That commitment includes comprehensive benefits, wellness programs, and employee discounts. With opportunities across the U.S., GAI offers the collaboration and client focus of regional teams, supported by the stability, resources, and career-development opportunities of an established and growing firm.

Benefits To Working at GAI Include:  

Competitive Pay & Recognition

• Market based, competitive compensation
• Performance driven recognition and development bonuses

Comprehensive Health & Wellness

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability
• Company-paid life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program and wellness resources

Meaningful Work–Life Balance

• Generous paid time off + 7 paid holidays
• An additional floating holiday—use it for what matters to you
• Paid maternity, paternity, and adoption leave

Growth, Learning & Financial Security

• 401(k) with company match
• Tuition reimbursement
• Support and rewards for professional development and certifications

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