Lead or Senior Archaeologist

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Lead or Senior Archaeologist to support and grow our cultural resources practice in the greater San Diego region. This role combines cultural resources project management, client services leadership, business development, and technical leadership in support of strategic growth and successful project delivery.

The ideal candidate will partner with the Senior Cultural Resources Director, Client Services Leads, and Project Managers to deliver high-quality cultural resources work, expand client relationships, and strengthen SWCA’s reputation in archaeological, historical, and paleontological consulting.

This is a regular, full-time, salaried position based in San Diego, California.

• Lead Archaeologist: Typically 8+ years of experience, including 2+ years of project management.
• Senior Archaeologist: Typically 10+ years of experience, including 4+ years of project management.

Please provide a cover letter with your application to be considered for this role.

Application deadline: Applications are due at 5:00 PM PDT on July 17th, 2026

What you will accomplish

Client Services & Business Development

• Develop, maintain, and expand relationships with public- and private-sector clients across Southern California.
• Identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities aligned with regional and corporate growth goals.
• Lead proposal development efforts, including capture planning, scope development, budgeting, and technical approaches.
• Collaborate with regional leadership and marketing staff to implement strategic growth initiatives and client capture plans.
• Expand SWCA’s presence within San Diego County and Southern California through industry engagement, networking, conferences, and professional organizations.
• Establish and maintain partnering and teaming relationships that support long-term business growth.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, providing strategic guidance on cultural resources compliance and permitting requirements.
• Meet individual utilization, sales, and business development goals while contributing to overall regional performance.

Cultural Resources Project Management

• Lead and oversee cultural resources projects from proposal development through final deliverables.
• Manage project scopes, schedules, budgets, staffing plans, and financial performance.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality work products on schedule and within budget.
• Communicate effectively with clients, regulatory agencies, Tribal representatives, and internal project teams.
• Identify project risks and develop solutions to maintain project performance and client satisfaction.
• Mentor project managers and emerging leaders in project delivery, client management, budgeting, and business development.

Technical Leadership

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• Provide senior technical oversight and QA/QC review of cultural resources studies, reports, site records, research designs, and treatment plans.
• Support field investigations, significance evaluations, testing programs, data recovery efforts, and reporting.
• Ensure project compliance with CEQA, NEPA, Section 106, and applicable state and local regulations.
• Mentor and train staff in technical methodologies, regulatory compliance, report preparation, and professional development.
• Contribute to the advancement of SWCA’s technical excellence, best practices, and professional reputation throughout the region.

Experience and qualifications for success

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related field required.
• Master’s degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or related field strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success managing cultural resources projects, including scope, schedule, budget, staffing, and client communications.
• Strong working knowledge of CEQA, NEPA, Section 106, California Public Resources Code, and related cultural resources regulations.
• Demonstrated experience with proposal preparation, client management, and business development.
• Excellent technical writing, communication, and leadership skills.
• Must currently reside in the San Diego region.

Preferred Qualifications

• Established relationships with Southern California clients, agencies, Tribes, and industry partners.
• Proven track record of winning work and growing client accounts.
• Specialized expertise in California archaeology and cultural resources compliance.
• Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA) or eligibility for registration.
• Experience leading and mentoring multidisciplinary teams.

This role is intended to be a visible leader within SWCA's San Diego Cultural Resources team. Candidates must currently reside in the San Diego area and be available to work regularly from the San Diego office to support staff mentorship, team development, client relationship management, and business development activities. While office participation is expected, SWCA offers workplace flexibility, including hybrid and remote work options based on business needs and individual responsibilities

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms.

If you would like to contact SWCA regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the online application process due to a disability, please email accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. This contact information is for disability accommodation requests only. All other inquiries will not receive a response.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees. In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An employee in this Pasadena, CA-based position can expect a salary of $87,369.75 - $113,881.95 / year for the Lead Archaeologist position, and a salary of $98,818.20 - 128,945.70/year at the Sr. Archaeologist level. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA’s Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive Benefits package, forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.