The Kleinfelder Blog

Brandon Lanthier, Geotechnical Project Manager

He’s been on board just a few months, and Brandon Lanthier has already hit the ground running here at Kleinfelder.

Working as a Geotechnical Project Manager embedded with the California Department of Water Resources, Division of Operation and Maintenance, Dam Safety Services Division, his main responsibilities include project management support, review of technical analyses, field inspections, and general programmatic improvements.

Prior to joining the Kleinfelder team in August, Brandon started his geotechnical engineering career with a specialty drilling subcontractor in Southern California.

“Kleinfelder was involved in many of the projects that I was involved in, and I was always impressed with the company’s professionalism and knowledge,” he said. “Fast forward eight years and I had the opportunity to come aboard with Kleinfelder.

“I was excited by what (Senior Program Manager) Karthik Radhakrishnan is trying to build in the Los Angeles Area, and by the group’s project portfolio. I am happy to join the Laguna Hills branch and help to grow Kleinfelder’s practice in Southern California.”

Some of the projects Brandon has worked on throughout his career include safety inspections and engineering analyses of dams, and the design and construction of retaining walls, slope stabilization, and deep foundations.

“I have participated in several FERC Part12D safety inspections of dams throughout California, performed slope stability and seepage analyses on earthen embankment dams, and performed numerous field inspections,” he said. “I am looking forward to staying involved with dams and continue to work on retaining walls with Kleinfelder.”

The best advice Brandon has for those interested in geotechnical engineering is to go into the field and perform a test or inspection several times until you’re able to gain confidence in your abilities and become the “go-to” expert for that task.

Additionally, while in the office, Brandon advises to stay alert to the chatter going on around you in order to passively build your career soft skills by picking up on how other individuals interact with peers and clients, approach engineering issues, and know what proposals and projects are going on.

“This learning by osmosis is a great way to feel more included in the goings on of the branch and will allow you to find opportunities to participate in.”