Principal Geologist Jobs
Principal Geologist jobs are open across mining, oil and gas, environmental consulting, and civil engineering firms, from senior geologist to principal and chief geologist level, with specializations in hydrogeology, geotechnical assessment, and resource modeling. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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About Us
At Onterris, we build careers grounded in purpose, responsibility and real-world impact.
“For Planet and Progress” is our north star that guides everything we do. We believe environmental responsibility and human progress are interconnected, interwoven and international. Our scientists, engineers, field teams, consultants and professionals collaborate across disciplines and geographies, guiding industries and governments, ensuring that communities and environments thrive.
When you join us, you’re not just forging a career, you’re joining a movement. A movement for better thinking, smarter solutions and lasting impact.
Together, we will advance our way of life and protect the integrity of our environment every step of the way.
A Day in the Life
You will represent the firm with the highest level of professionalism when working with clients, staff, and teaming partners. You will act as a strategic leader, technical expert, and mentor - supporting project success, strengthening client relationships, and contributing to the firm’s long‑term growth. You will lead efforts to obtain new opportunities within site assessment and remediation projects from early strategies through execution, ensuring that all deliverables are high quality, well organized, and ready for client delivery.
While the position may be performed remotely, the ideal candidate will be based in California and will bring contacts within the industry and knowledge of California and/or other western states, and specific regulatory and environmental expertise.
The compensation range for this role is $120,000 to $150,000 commensurate with experience, skills, and geographic location.
Team Leadership & Staff Development
- Lead team growth through outreach to potential clients and proposal preparation
- Collaborate with client contacts, staff geologists and engineers, regulatory specialists, and agency partners.
- Support client retention by fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive work environment. Ensure the operational effectiveness, productivity, and profitability of both your work and the team you lead.
Proposal Leadership and Business Development
- Play a key role in securing $1M–$2M in new annual work through competitive pursuits, sole‑source opportunities, on‑call contracts, and strategic teaming arrangements.
- Lead proposal efforts for projects of all sizes, including strategy development, teaming decisions, and win themes.
- Guide proposal managers on proposal structure, approach narratives, cover letters, scopes of work, and qualifications sections.
- Ensure proposal schedules, budgets, and deliverables are accurate, compliant, and submitted on time.
- Lead and prepare teams for proposal interviews. Support broader business development efforts by evaluating new leads and cultivating long‑term client and partner relationships.
Project Execution
- Conduct project management for obtained new projects and ensure all work meets the firm’s quality standards.
- Delegate tasks effectively, provide direction, and ensure work stays within project constraints.
- Stay current on industry trends, regulatory changes, and best practices.
- Work both independently and collaboratively with the core leadership team. Perform additional duties as needed to support project and company success.
Your Expertise and Skills
The Principal Professional is a recognized technical authority and strategic leader, responsible for regulatory certainty, project success, and long-term client trust. These requirements reflect the knowledge, skills and abilities that help you do your best work here.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in geology, engineering, environmental science, or related field.
- 15+ years of relevant professional consulting experience (12+ with a Master’s), including public sector experience.
- Proven consulting experience and success as a Project Manager overseeing completion of technical studies and documents within schedule and budget.
- Experience serving as Project Manager serving as the senior client representative and owning responsibility for consulting products and services.
- Demonstrated success in proposal leadership, teaming for sole-source and competitive pursuits.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to oversee and provide quality assurance for complex technical documents, as well as make presentations, including interviews for competitive proposals.
- Strong familiarity with California and other western state regulations, industry standards, and Federal, State and local procurement processes.
- Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams while also operating independently. Willingness and ability to travel locally as needed.
#INDONT
#LI-LK1
Onterris is a leading global environmental solutions company partnering with organizations to solve complex challenges where environmental pressures, regulatory expectations and operational risks intersect. Guided by our mission to advance the way of life without compromising the integrity of our environment, we believe environmental responsibility and human progress are fundamentally connected. Our scientists, engineers, field teams and consultants apply systems thinking that unites science, data and practical expertise to deliver solutions that strengthen our clients’ resilience, mitigate risk and protect the air, water and soil that sustain communities, while uncovering responsible paths forward for planet and progress. For more information, visit www.onterris.com .
We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We acknowledge that these experiences and perspectives help to enrich our teams and contribute to our ongoing success. We are committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in our employment for all applicants. For US residents, click here to learn more.
About Us
At Onterris, we build careers grounded in purpose, responsibility and real-world impact.
“For Planet and Progress” is our north star that guides everything we do. We believe environmental responsibility and human progress are interconnected, interwoven and international. Our scientists, engineers, field teams, consultants and professionals collaborate across disciplines and geographies, guiding industries and governments, ensuring that communities and environments thrive.
When you join us, you’re not just forging a career, you’re joining a movement. A movement for better thinking, smarter solutions and lasting impact.
Together, we will advance our way of life and protect the integrity of our environment every step of the way.
A Day in the Life
You will represent the firm with the highest level of professionalism when working with clients, staff, and teaming partners. You will act as a strategic leader, technical expert, and mentor - supporting project success, strengthening client relationships, and contributing to the firm’s long‑term growth. You will lead efforts to obtain new opportunities within site assessment and remediation projects from early strategies through execution, ensuring that all deliverables are high quality, well organized, and ready for client delivery.
While the position may be performed remotely, the ideal candidate will be based in California and will bring contacts within the industry and knowledge of California and/or other western states, and specific regulatory and environmental expertise.
The compensation range for this role is $120,000 to $150,000 commensurate with experience, skills, and geographic location.
Team Leadership & Staff Development
- Lead team growth through outreach to potential clients and proposal preparation
- Collaborate with client contacts, staff geologists and engineers, regulatory specialists, and agency partners.
- Support client retention by fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive work environment. Ensure the operational effectiveness, productivity, and profitability of both your work and the team you lead.
Proposal Leadership and Business Development
- Play a key role in securing $1M–$2M in new annual work through competitive pursuits, sole‑source opportunities, on‑call contracts, and strategic teaming arrangements.
- Lead proposal efforts for projects of all sizes, including strategy development, teaming decisions, and win themes.
- Guide proposal managers on proposal structure, approach narratives, cover letters, scopes of work, and qualifications sections.
- Ensure proposal schedules, budgets, and deliverables are accurate, compliant, and submitted on time.
- Lead and prepare teams for proposal interviews. Support broader business development efforts by evaluating new leads and cultivating long‑term client and partner relationships.
Project Execution
- Conduct project management for obtained new projects and ensure all work meets the firm’s quality standards.
- Delegate tasks effectively, provide direction, and ensure work stays within project constraints.
- Stay current on industry trends, regulatory changes, and best practices.
- Work both independently and collaboratively with the core leadership team. Perform additional duties as needed to support project and company success.
Your Expertise and Skills
The Principal Professional is a recognized technical authority and strategic leader, responsible for regulatory certainty, project success, and long-term client trust. These requirements reflect the knowledge, skills and abilities that help you do your best work here.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in geology, engineering, environmental science, or related field.
- 15+ years of relevant professional consulting experience (12+ with a Master’s), including public sector experience.
- Proven consulting experience and success as a Project Manager overseeing completion of technical studies and documents within schedule and budget.
- Experience serving as Project Manager serving as the senior client representative and owning responsibility for consulting products and services.
- Demonstrated success in proposal leadership, teaming for sole-source and competitive pursuits.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to oversee and provide quality assurance for complex technical documents, as well as make presentations, including interviews for competitive proposals.
- Strong familiarity with California and other western state regulations, industry standards, and Federal, State and local procurement processes.
- Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams while also operating independently. Willingness and ability to travel locally as needed.
#INDONT
#LI-LK1
Onterris is a leading global environmental solutions company partnering with organizations to solve complex challenges where environmental pressures, regulatory expectations and operational risks intersect. Guided by our mission to advance the way of life without compromising the integrity of our environment, we believe environmental responsibility and human progress are fundamentally connected. Our scientists, engineers, field teams and consultants apply systems thinking that unites science, data and practical expertise to deliver solutions that strengthen our clients’ resilience, mitigate risk and protect the air, water and soil that sustain communities, while uncovering responsible paths forward for planet and progress. For more information, visit www.onterris.com .
We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We acknowledge that these experiences and perspectives help to enrich our teams and contribute to our ongoing success. We are committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in our employment for all applicants. For US residents, click here to learn more.
Principal Geologist Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Principal Geologist JobsPrincipal Geologist Job Market
Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal geologist jobs.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in geology, geoscience, or a closely related earth science field
- Professional Geologist license or eligibility for licensure in the relevant state
- Ten or more years of progressively responsible geology experience in the relevant discipline
- Proficiency in industry software such as ArcGIS, Leapfrog, MODFLOW, or Rockworks
- Experience preparing and reviewing technical reports, geologic maps, and regulatory submissions
- Familiarity with ASTM, EPA, or state environmental standards applicable to site characterization and remediation
Tips for Your Principal Geologist Job Search
Tailor your resume for the discipline
Principal geologist roles split sharply between resource, environmental, and geotechnical work. Recruiters scan for discipline-specific tools and methods, so lead with the geology subdiscipline that matches each posting rather than a catch-all summary.
List your professional licensure clearly
Many principal geologist postings require a Professional Geologist license in the state of hire. Put your PG license number, issuing state, and expiration year at the top of your credentials section so hiring managers spot it immediately.
Highlight software your peers actually use
Employers expect fluency in tools like Leapfrog, Rockworks, ArcGIS, or MODFLOW depending on the subdiscipline. Name the specific platform and version where possible, and tie it to a deliverable you produced with it.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists principal geologist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by project type, not just title
Filter openings by keywords like remediation, exploration, slope stability, or groundwater to reach roles aligned with your experience. A posting titled Senior Geologist with principal-level duties often surfaces this way and faces less competition.
Prepare technical examples for the interview
Principal geologist interviews typically include scenario questions about regulatory compliance, field data quality, or cross-disciplinary project leadership. Prepare two or three concise examples where your technical judgment resolved a real project challenge.
Principal Geologist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most principal geologists?
SLR Consulting, South32, and Onterris are hiring the most principal geologists right now, with openings concentrated in Alaska, California, and Colorado, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand tends to cluster around active mining districts, oil and gas basins, and regions with significant infrastructure or environmental remediation work.
How many principal geologist jobs are remote?
About 100% of principal geologist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the field-intensive nature of most roles. Fully remote positions are most common in data-heavy subdisciplines like hydrogeologic modeling, geospatial analysis, and technical report review, where fieldwork is minimal.
How do you become a principal geologist?
Start with a bachelor's or master's degree in geology or a related geoscience field, then pursue licensure as a Professional Geologist in your state. Build discipline depth through staff and senior geologist roles, taking ownership of field programs, report authorship, and client deliverables. Principal-level positions typically require demonstrated technical leadership, project management, and the ability to mentor junior staff across the full project lifecycle.
Can you get hired as a principal geologist without direct principal-level experience?
Yes, candidates who have functioned at a principal level without holding the title can still be competitive. Focus your resume on the scope of technical decisions you owned, the complexity of projects you led, and any mentoring or quality-control responsibilities you carried. If your PG license is recent, pairing it with strong niche expertise in a high-demand subdiscipline like geotechnical risk or contaminant fate-and-transport can offset a gap in formal title history.
What does the principal geologist interview process look like?
Most employers run two to three rounds. The first is a screening call with HR or a recruiting coordinator covering your background and availability. The second is a technical interview with senior staff or a practice lead, usually including discipline-specific scenario questions and a discussion of a past project. A final round may involve a panel with project managers or company leadership, sometimes including a short presentation on your technical approach to a sample problem.
Where can I find and apply to principal geologist jobs?
You can find and apply to principal geologist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search for roles that match your discipline and experience level, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
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