Senior Principal, Practice Leader

ECS is seeking a Senior Principal, Geotechnical Practice Leader to lead, expand, and champion our geotechnical service line in Southern California. This role requires a strategic mindset, business development experience, and deep technical knowledge. You’ll serve as a senior technical authority, client-facing lead, and internal mentor, ensuring quality, consistency, and growth across your region.

• Technical Oversight: Guide and support Geotechnical Project Managers and staff. Review technical reports and lead quality assurance initiatives across the region.

• Client Development: Lead strategic efforts to secure and expand relationships with private, commercial, and public sector clients. Actively pursue new project opportunities.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Mentor Associate Principals and staff. Contribute to internal review boards for promotions and professional development.

• Industry Engagement: Attend and represent ECS at key industry conferences including IFCEE, PDCA, DFI, ASCE, and ADSC.

• Regulatory Awareness: Monitor regulatory changes and lead internal communications to align with new standards or requirements.

• Ambassadorial Role: Represent ECS in the market. Promote our services, capabilities, and culture to clients and partners.

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• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, or Geology.

• 20+ years of geotechnical engineering and/or CMT experience.

• Active P.E. or P.G. license in California or ability to obtain.

• Experience in branch, department, or regional leadership within an engineering consulting firm.

• Proven success in client development across private, commercial, and public sectors.

• Recognized as a Senior Reviewer at a previous firm.

• Valid driver’s license (required for job-related travel).

• Ownership Mentality: As an ESOP company, every employee has a stake in our collective success.

• Growth Opportunity: Build and lead the Southern California geotechnical service line from the ground up.

• Resources + Agility: Big company capabilities, small team agility, and leadership support to innovate and grow.

• Impact: Your work will directly shape the future of our Pacific operations and influence national strategies.

The expected base salary range before bonuses for this role will be between $180,000 yr - $250,000 give or take. The final agreed-upon compensation will be determined based on specific location and other individual qualifications.

ECS Group of Companies (ECS) was founded in 1988 with the goal to raise the standards of professional engineering consulting. Today, we are a leader in geotechnical, construction materials, environmental and facilities consulting services. We are employee-owned with more than 3,000 employees in 100+ offices and testing facilities coast to coast. ECS is currently ranked #66 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms (April 2025), #148 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms (October 2025) and #50 in Zweig Group’s Hot Firm List (May 2025).

For additional information about ECS, visit

ECS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To learn more, .