Staff Engineer Jobs in Tennessee
Staff Engineer jobs in Tennessee are consistently active, with strong demand concentrated in advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense, energy infrastructure, and technology sectors, drawing candidates from early-career to senior principal levels. Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis anchor most of the hiring, where employers like Tennessee Valley Authority, FedEx, and Nissan North America maintain large engineering operations across the state. The most sought-after specializations include systems engineering, electrical and mechanical design, and software-embedded engineering tied to automotive and defense platforms. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
The Geotechnical Staff Project Engineer supports geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing (CMT) projects through technical analysis, reporting, and project coordination activities. This role is primarily office-based, with some field exposure for training, and involves assisting with project execution, budgeting, and documentation. The Geotechnical Staff Project Manager I develops technical and project management skills while maintaining a positive customer service attitude and demonstrating an understanding of ECS Core Values.
Responsibilities
- Supports preparation of geotechnical reports, including analysis and recommendations
- Manages construction materials testing (CMT) tasks, including daily report review and issue tracking
- Assists with project budgeting and prepares invoices
- Supports preparation of proposals for geotechnical and CMT projects
- Performs or assists with boring and test pit layout and site access evaluation
- Prepares drilling packages and obtains utility clearances
- Conducts research on local geologic conditions
- Assists with supervision of field investigations and drilling activities
- Performs or supports in-situ testing and soil classification
- Reviews field reports and supports documentation of project data
- Communicates with project teams, contractors, and field personnel
- Performs other technical, field, and project support tasks as assigned
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 0 years of related experience
- Bachelor and/or Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geology, or similar is required
- A professional license is not required in this position, but it is necessary to progress in your career
- If driving for or on behalf of any ECS subsidiary, a valid driver's license is required
- Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Basic knowledge of geotechnical principles and applications
- Basic knowledge of construction materials testing and ASTM standards
- Ability to work effectively with teams, clients, and supervisors
- Developing project management and client communication skills
- Basic familiarity with geotechnical software (developing)
- Self-motivated and responsible work ethic
MILITARY QUALIFICATIONS
The following US Military ranks will qualify for this position IF they also meet the education and licenses requirements from the above section titled "Required Qualifications":
- + E-5
WHO WE ARE
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 building science + infrastructure consulting services. We are employee-owned with more than 3,200 employees in 125 offices and testing facilities coast to coast. ECS is currently ranked #60 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms (April 2026), #148 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms (October 2025) and #38 in Zweig Group’s Hot Firm List (June 2026).
ECS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To learn more, click here.
INTRODUCTION
The Geotechnical Staff Project Engineer supports geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing (CMT) projects through technical analysis, reporting, and project coordination activities. This role is primarily office-based, with some field exposure for training, and involves assisting with project execution, budgeting, and documentation. The Geotechnical Staff Project Manager I develops technical and project management skills while maintaining a positive customer service attitude and demonstrating an understanding of ECS Core Values.
Responsibilities
- Supports preparation of geotechnical reports, including analysis and recommendations
- Manages construction materials testing (CMT) tasks, including daily report review and issue tracking
- Assists with project budgeting and prepares invoices
- Supports preparation of proposals for geotechnical and CMT projects
- Performs or assists with boring and test pit layout and site access evaluation
- Prepares drilling packages and obtains utility clearances
- Conducts research on local geologic conditions
- Assists with supervision of field investigations and drilling activities
- Performs or supports in-situ testing and soil classification
- Reviews field reports and supports documentation of project data
- Communicates with project teams, contractors, and field personnel
- Performs other technical, field, and project support tasks as assigned
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 0 years of related experience
- Bachelor and/or Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geology, or similar is required
- A professional license is not required in this position, but it is necessary to progress in your career
- If driving for or on behalf of any ECS subsidiary, a valid driver's license is required
- Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Basic knowledge of geotechnical principles and applications
- Basic knowledge of construction materials testing and ASTM standards
- Ability to work effectively with teams, clients, and supervisors
- Developing project management and client communication skills
- Basic familiarity with geotechnical software (developing)
- Self-motivated and responsible work ethic
MILITARY QUALIFICATIONS
The following US Military ranks will qualify for this position IF they also meet the education and licenses requirements from the above section titled "Required Qualifications":
- + E-5
WHO WE ARE
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 building science + infrastructure consulting services. We are employee-owned with more than 3,200 employees in 125 offices and testing facilities coast to coast. ECS is currently ranked #60 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms (April 2026), #148 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms (October 2025) and #38 in Zweig Group’s Hot Firm List (June 2026).
ECS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To learn more, click here.
See All 23 Staff Engineer Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Staff Engineer JobsStaff Engineer Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Staff Engineer Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in staff engineer jobs across Tennessee.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution
- Professional Engineer license issued or recognized by the Tennessee State Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners preferred for infrastructure and public-sector roles
- Seven or more years of progressive engineering experience with demonstrated technical leadership
- Proficiency with industry-standard design or systems engineering tools relevant to the employer's product domain
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams and mentor junior engineers across multiple project workstreams
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for stakeholder presentations and technical documentation
Staff Engineer Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a staff engineer in Tennessee?
Most staff engineer roles in Tennessee require a bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, several years of progressive technical experience, and demonstrated leadership on complex projects. Engineers working in public infrastructure, consulting, or government contracting often pursue licensure through the Tennessee State Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners, which administers the Professional Engineer credential. For software and systems roles in private industry, a strong project portfolio and internal promotion from senior engineer are the most common paths.
Which companies hire staff engineers in Tennessee?
Employers hiring staff engineers in Tennessee right now include ECS Limited, Burns & McDonnell, and Schnabel Engineering, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Tennessee's mix of advanced manufacturing anchors, federal contractors, and growing technology firms means openings appear across a broad range of industries and engineering disciplines.
Which Tennessee cities have the most staff engineer jobs?
Knoxville, Nashville, and Franklin have the most staff engineer openings in Tennessee. Nashville drives volume through its technology and healthcare technology sectors, Knoxville benefits from proximity to Oak Ridge National Laboratory and TVA operations, and Memphis generates demand through FedEx's global logistics engineering hub and a dense base of manufacturing and distribution employers.
Are there remote staff engineer jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, and they are more common than in many engineering fields, particularly for software, systems, and cloud-infrastructure staff engineers. About 71% of staff engineer openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the role's strong presence in technology and software-adjacent disciplines. Hardware, manufacturing, and on-site infrastructure roles are almost always in-person.
How can I get hired as a staff engineer in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a junior or associate engineer role at one of Tennessee's large manufacturing or technology employers, where internal promotion toward staff-level is well established. Tennessee Valley Authority, Nissan, and major aerospace contractors in the Nashville and Knoxville areas run structured new-graduate programs that develop engineers toward senior and staff levels over time. Building toward an Engineer-in-Training certification through the Tennessee State Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners signals commitment and gives candidates a credentialing edge early in their career.
Where can I find and apply to staff engineer jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to staff engineer jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current Tennessee openings updated regularly. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly without additional steps.
See All 23 Staff Engineer Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Staff Engineer Jobs