Hillis-Carnes Welcomes Matthew Karalus, P.E., as Northern Virginia Geotechnical Department Manager/Principal

Hillis-Carnes is pleased to announce that Matthew Karalus, P.E., has joined our Chantilly, Virginia, branch office as our new Geotechnical Department Manager/Principal. Matt brings more than a decade of geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing (CMT) experience to our Northern Virginia operations. He holds an M.S. in Geotechnical Engineering from George Mason University, a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech, and an A.S. in Engineering from Northern Virginia Community College. He earned his Virginia Professional Engineer license in 2020.

Matt’s technical background includes performing detailed subsurface investigations, foundation design, and retaining wall engineering—from segmental walls to friction piles—on major commercial, industrial, institutional, and infrastructure development projects throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. He has extensive experience leading engineering teams, managing field and laboratory operations, and developing geotechnical recommendations that support safe, efficient, and cost-effective construction. His project portfolio includes airport improvements, transportation projects, commercial developments, and numerous large-scale data center sites, which continue to be a growing sector in Northern Virginia.

In his new role, Matt will lead Hillis-Carnes’ Northern Virginia geotechnical operations based out of our Chantilly office. His responsibilities include managing and developing geotechnical staff, mentoring junior engineers, supporting field and laboratory functions, shaping technical strategy, and providing Principal-level oversight on complex and high-profile projects.

We are excited to welcome Matt to the team and look forward to the expertise and engineering leadership he will bring to Hillis-Carnes!