Chief Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Chief Engineer

Report To: CEO/COO, Director of Technical Services

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Overview of Bunnell-Lammons Engineering, Inc.

At Bunnell-Lammons Engineering (BLE), our core principles shape everything we do. We put people first, prioritizing our clients, employees, and community in every decision. We believe trust is earned through honesty, dependability, and delivering on our promises. Clear, timely communication keeps our clients and partners informed, while a commitment to excellence drives us to produce work that consistently sets the standard in our industry. Most importantly, we honor every commitment we make and believe that no challenge is too complex when the right people work together. These values define who we are, how we operate, and the kind of team we continue to build.

Notice to applicants:

Background checks are carried out as part of any conditional offer made, including (but not limited to & role dependent) education, professional registration, employment, references and global watchlist screening.

To be a considered applicant:

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship and able to interview on site where the position is located.

Position Overview

The Chief Engineer is the firm’s senior-most technical authority, responsible for overseeing engineering operations, ensuring technical excellence, and guiding project delivery across disciplines. This role provides visionary leadership in engineering practice, innovation, quality control, and risk management while actively mentoring project managers, engineers, and technical staff.

In addition to firm-wide technical oversight, the Chief Engineer will serve as the primary subject matter expert within their core engineering discipline (e.g., civil, geotechnical, and structural), providing advanced expertise, leadership, and technical guidance for projects in that specialty. The Chief Engineer is also expected to contribute to strategic business initiatives, operational priorities, and client relationships while ensuring that the firm maintains the highest standards of engineering practice, regulatory compliance, and client satisfaction.

As a key member of our leadership team, the Chief Engineer will serve as a technical expert, mentor, strategic advisor, and business partner — supporting operational priorities, regulatory alignment, client relationships, and the continuous development of our engineering staff and services.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in [Civil, Structural, Geotechnical, or related] Engineering field required. (master’s degree preferred),
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required, additional certifications or state registrations a plus.
• Minimum of 18 years of progressively responsible engineering experience, including leadership roles within a consulting firm or related industry.
• Demonstrated experience in multi-disciplinary project delivery and oversight of complex, large-scale projects.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop engineering teams.
• Exceptional technical acumen and problem-solving skills.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication abilities.
• Deep understanding of project management principles, resource planning, mitigating risk, liability analysis, and financial oversight.
• Commitment to fostering a culture of quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional technical acumen and advanced problem-solving skills within core discipline and general engineering practices.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication abilities.
• Proficiency in engineering software relevant to the core discipline and multi-discipline project management tools.
• Deep understanding of project management principles, resource planning, and financial oversight.
• Commitment to fostering a culture of technical excellence, quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with a collaborative leadership style.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Serve as one of the firm’s technical authorities with the Director of Technical Services, providing oversight on engineering methodologies, project deliverables, and risk management practices.
• Lead and maintain technical standards, QA/QC protocols, and engineering processes across the organization.
• Act as the subject matter expert for the firm’s core engineering discipline, providing advanced technical guidance, establishing discipline-specific standards, and overseeing complex or high-risk discipline-specific projects.
• Stay informed on emerging technologies, industry regulations, and best practices to enhance technical services and capabilities.

Core Discipline Leadership

• Serve as technical leader and subject matter expert within your core engineering discipline (e.g., Civil, Geotechnical, Structural, Environmental), providing advanced expertise and guidance for projects in that specialty.
• Review and approve discipline-specific designs, specifications, and reports, ensuring technical accuracy and consistency.
• Develop and maintain discipline-specific standards, design guides, calculation templates, and QA/QC checklists.
• Mentor and develop technical staff within the core discipline, fostering a pipeline of technical leadership and talent.
• Represent the firm in professional associations, technical committees, and industry events related to the core discipline, enhancing the firm’s technical reputation and visibility.

Project Oversight

• Provide executive-level oversight on high-profile, complex, or strategically significant projects, ensuring technical soundness, client satisfaction, and risk mitigation.
• Review and approve select technical reports, calculations, and design documents as necessary for quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
• Participate in project kick-offs, milestone reviews, and client presentations where technical leadership is required.

Leadership & Management

• Provide strategic leadership in alignment with the firm’s mission, values, and business objectives.
• Collaborate with executive leadership and department heads to develop and implement operational plans, project staffing strategies, and financial targets.
• Manage, mentor, and support discipline leads, project managers, and senior engineers to foster a high-performing, accountable, and collaborative work environment.
• Participate in executive decision-making and business planning sessions, contributing technical insights and operational strategies.
• Lead performance management processes, including goal setting, performance reviews, and professional development planning for engineering personnel.
• Support business development efforts by establishing and maintaining strong client relationships, participating in client meetings, and contributing to project proposals and pursuits.

People Development & Training

• Lead the development, implementation, and management of structured technical training programs, continuing education initiatives, and internal knowledge-sharing sessions.
• Establish and maintain career development pathways for technical staff, including mentorship opportunities, licensure support, and leadership development.
• Identify, mentor, and cultivate future technical leaders within the organization.

Operational & Strategic Leadership

• Collaborate with executive leadership to align technical priorities with business objectives, operational plans, and market positioning.
• Contribute technical expertise to strategic planning, resource allocation, capital investment decisions, and service line development.
• Participate in firm leadership meetings, providing input on operational decisions, risk considerations, and process improvements.

Client & Business Support

• Support business development efforts by contributing technical expertise to select proposals, client meetings, and project pursuits.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with clients, regulatory agencies, and industry associations to enhance the firm’s professional reputation.

Regulatory & Quality Compliance

• Oversee adherence to applicable local, state, and federal regulations, professional licensure requirements, and engineering codes.
• Manage and maintain the firm’s QA/QC program, conducting audits and reviews of technical work as needed.
• Manage and maintain the firm’s Laboratory Quality Manuals as the Quality Assurance Manager (QAM) for the Greenville Soil and Concrete Testing Laboratory. Oversee the QAMs of individual laboratories and conduct audits and reviews of laboratory testing as needed. Provide regular laboratory reviews and audits in preparation for certification inspections.
• Ensure firmwide risk management practices are consistently applied on all projects.

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and is not a comprehensive list of all duties, functions, or procedures that may be required. The organization reserves the right to modify this description and may, from time to time, reassign employees to alternate positions based on business needs. Such changes may occur without prior notice and are aimed at ensuring operational efficiency.

Why Join Us?

• Industry-leading reputation with a diverse and growing project portfolio.
• Collaborative, supportive work environment where your leadership makes a visible impact.
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement within a dynamic, expanding organization.

Benefits

• Medical/Vision/Dental
• 401(K) with partial company matching
• Life Insurance
• Short/long term disability
• Paid vacation
• Paid sick leave
• Eight (8) paid holidays
• Educational re-imbursement programs (conditions apply)
• Vehicle allowance (conditions apply)