Professional Title and Role
Scott A. Raschke, PhD, PE holds the position of Principal / Senior Vice President at Schnabel Engineering. He also serves as the Corporate Levee Practice Leader and National Practice Leader for Levees within the company, based in Jersey City, NJ. His leadership role encompasses directing the company’s levee practice nationally, with direct influence on major projects involving dam and levee engineering.
Expertise and Technical Experience
Dr. Raschke possesses extensive expertise in geotechnical engineering, civil engineering, and dam and levee engineering, complemented by specialization in geo-material applications and risk management strategies related to civil infrastructure. His operational footprint includes practical experience on dams and levees across 17 U.S. states, reflecting a broad geographic and regulatory familiarity.
He is recognized as a geotechnical and risk subject matter expert, consistently leading large-scale, multimillion-dollar investigation, design, and construction (IDC) contracts for federal and state agencies. His technical scope includes significant involvement in design-build transportation projects, highlighting versatility spanning both horizontal and vertical infrastructure sectors.
Academic Credentials and Professional Credentials
- Doctorate (PhD) in Geotechnical Engineering from the University of Michigan
- Master of Science (MS) in Civil Engineering and Geoenvironmental Engineering from The University of Toledo
- Bachelor of Science (BS) in Civil Engineering with a focus on Civil and Environmental Engineering from The University of Toledo
- Registered as a Professional Engineer (PE) in Pennsylvania (PA)
Industry Leadership and Professional Affiliations
Scott Raschke maintains prominent leadership and membership roles in several key industry associations:
- Chair of the U.S. Society on Dams (USSD) Levee Committee
- Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
- Member of the American Society of Engineering Educators (ASEE)
- Member of the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO)
- Member of the Society for Risk Analysis (SRA)
He has also served as Past Chair and current member of the USSD Environment Committee and is actively engaged in the U.S. Levee Safety Coalition.
Contributions to the Field and Thought Leadership
Dr. Raschke has authored and presented more than 40 technical publications on topics such as levee engineering, dam safety, and geotechnical risk analysis. His recent technical contributions include:
- Co-instructor of the ASCE Geocongress (2019) short course on Practical Qualitative Risk Evaluation for Geotechnical Projects.
- Instructor in the U.S. Society on Dams (USSD) 2017 Workshop on Transient Seepage Analysis and Modelling related to dry dams and levees.
- Contributing author to The International Levee Handbook (2013), published by CIRIA, a respected international reference.
He has an extensive academic background, having taught undergraduate and graduate courses in soil mechanics, foundation engineering, ground improvement engineering, experimental and geo-environmental engineering, soil dynamics, seepage and slope stability, as well as rock mechanics.
Professional Experience and Project Involvement
Scott Raschke’s career began with practical experience as a draftsman and technician during high school, progressing to roles combining teaching and practice in geotechnical engineering and infrastructure risk evaluation. His professional track record includes leadership in multiple high-value federal and state infrastructure contracts, with special emphasis on levee systems, dam safety, and interdisciplinary risk assessments.
His experience spans:
- Technical and managerial leadership of multimillion-dollar projects for governmental clients.
- Expertise in risk assessment and mitigation for dam and levee structures.
- Significant direct involvement in transportation infrastructure projects under design-build delivery methods.
Market and Sector Focus
Dr. Raschke’s expertise supports a range of market sectors at Schnabel Engineering, including:
- Government (Federal, State, Local agencies)
- Power and Energy
- Transportation (highways, bridges, transit, freight rail, ports)
- Water (dams, levees, tunnels, wastewater, water resources)
- Commercial, Cultural, Industrial, and Institutional infrastructure projects
This diverse market engagement suggests a well-rounded understanding of regulatory, technical, and project delivery challenges in critical infrastructure sectors.
Contact Information
- Office Location: Jersey City, NJ
- Office Phone: 718.473.2427
- Profile: [LinkedIn - Scott Raschke](https://linkedin.com/in/scott-raschke)
- Company Profile: [Schnabel Engineering - Scott Raschke](https://www.schnabel-eng.com/people/scott-raschke/)
Dr. Raschke’s role as a national practice leader and senior executive, combined with his interdisciplinary expertise in geotechnical, risk, and levee engineering, positions him as a pivotal figure in Schnabel Engineering’s strategic initiatives and project leadership. His continued engagement in professional societies and contribution to technical literature reflects strong industry authority and thought leadership within the dam and levee engineering community.
