Geotechnical Engineer - Infrastructure

AECOM Middle East Ltd; Al Ruways Industrial City; On-site; AED 156,240 - 212,040; Full time

Job summary

AECOM is seeking a Geotechnical Engineer – Infrastructure in Abu Dhabi Emirate to work on transport and civil infrastructure projects. You will apply geotechnical investigations, soil and rock mechanics, and foundation design to deliver safe, technically sound solutions.

The role involves field supervision, data interpretation, design calculations, reporting, and coordination with multidisciplinary teams. 3–5 years of geotechnical experience, strong knowledge of soil mechanics, and proficiency

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Geotechnical/Civil Engineering or related field.
• 3–5 years of geotechnical investigation and design experience.
• Experience interpreting ground investigation data and developing design parameters.
• Proficiency in geotechnical analysis software (e.g., GEO5, Plaxis).
• Professional Engineer/Chartered status desirable.

Responsibilities

• Apply geotechnical engineering principles to resolve ground-related challenges.
• Plan and support geotechnical investigations for projects.
• Interpret borehole logs, lab data, groundwater, and field observations.
• Assess soil/rock to support design decisions and risk management.
• Monitor field activities and ensure QA/QC of investigations and reports.
• Prepare calculations, technical specifications, and drawings.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams and clients.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Soil mechanics

Rock mechanics

Ground investigation

Borehole data interpretation

Geotechnical field supervision

Settlement analysis

Retaining wall design

Slope stability analysis

Plaxis

Education

Bachelor of Science in Geotechnical Engineering

Honours degree or advanced qualification

Tools

GEO5

WALLAP

ALP

Slope-W

Slide

Plaxis

AutoCAD

Civil3D

Job description

Job Title

Geotechnical Engineer - Infrastructure

Location & Details

Location: Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates

Industry: Civil Engineering

Function: Geo-technical

Experience: 3-5 years

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location Model: On-site

Salary Range: 14,000–19,000 (estimated, subject to confirmation)

Overview

Geotechnical Engineer – Infrastructure is a Civil Engineering opportunity with AECOM, designed for professionals experienced in geotechnical investigations, soil and rock mechanics, foundation design, retaining structures, settlement assessment, earthworks, and slope stability analysis. The role supports major infrastructure and development projects by converting field investigation data into safe, technically compliant design solutions.

Role Context

The Geotechnical Engineer will contribute to the investigation, assessment, design, and delivery of geotechnical solutions for transportation, building, and civil infrastructure projects. The position combines technical analysis, field supervision, design verification, reporting, and coordination with clients, contractors, and multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure accurate interpretation of subsurface conditions, foundation selection, settlement control, slope stability, and earthworks risk management.

Key Responsibilities

• Apply geotechnical engineering principles, established analytical methods, and recognized technologies to resolve complex ground‑related challenges.
• Plan, review, and support geotechnical investigations for infrastructure and development projects.
• Interpret borehole logs, laboratory test results, groundwater information, geological records, and field observations.
• Assess soil and rock conditions to support design decisions, construction planning, and project risk management.
• Monitor geotechnical field activities and verify compliance with approved investigation plans, specifications, and quality requirements.
• Coordinate with drilling contractors, testing laboratories, survey teams, and other specialist service providers.
• Prepare and review desk studies, factual reports, interpretative reports, design calculations, technical specifications, and construction drawings.
• Perform settlement analysis for shallow foundations, deep foundations, embankments, and other loaded ground conditions.
• Design and assess retaining walls, excavation support systems, earth‑retaining structures, and temporary works.
• Carry out shallow and deep foundation design using appropriate geotechnical parameters and engineering methods.
• Evaluate earthworks requirements, fill suitability, compaction criteria, ground improvement needs, and excavation conditions.
• Perform slope stability analysis for natural slopes, cuttings, embankments, excavations, and temporary construction conditions.
• Use numerical and analytical modelling tools to develop, test, and validate geotechnical design solutions.
• Review contractor calculations, method statements, material submissions, technical queries, and proposed construction approaches.
• Confirm that geotechnical designs comply with applicable codes, standards, project specifications, and accepted engineering practice.
• Coordinate geotechnical requirements with structural, civil, transportation, environmental, drainage, and construction teams.
• Identify ground risks that may affect safety, constructability, cost, schedule, or long‑term asset performance.
• Recommend practical mitigation measures for weak soils, groundwater, settlement, instability, excavation, and foundation risks.
• Participate in project meetings, technical workshops, design reviews, and client presentations.
• Present technical findings clearly and explain geotechnical risks, assumptions, limitations, and recommendations.
• Prepare contractual correspondence, technical responses, calculation packages, and project documentation.
• Maintain organized records of investigation data, design inputs, calculations, reviews, approvals, and design changes.
• Support junior engineers through technical guidance, calculation reviews, and collaborative knowledge sharing.
• Visit project sites when required to inspect ground conditions, review construction activities, and resolve field issues.
• Contribute to quality assurance reviews and continuous improvement of geotechnical engineering practices.
• Attend in‑person Day1 onboarding at an AECOM office as a condition of employment.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor of Science degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering Geology, or a closely related discipline.
• An honours degree or advanced academic qualification is preferred.
• Minimum 3‑5 years of professional experience in geotechnical investigation and design after completing the undergraduate degree.
• Practical experience interpreting ground investigation information and developing geotechnical design parameters.
• Strong knowledge of soil mechanics, rock mechanics, foundation engineering, groundwater behaviour, and earthworks principles.
• Demonstrated experience in settlement analysis, retaining wall design, shallow foundation design, deep foundation design, and slope stability assessment.
• Experience preparing geotechnical desk studies, interpretative reports, specifications, calculations, drawings, and design reports.
• Proficiency in GEO5, WALLAP, ALP, Slope‑W, Slide, Plaxis, or comparable geotechnical analysis software.
• Competency in AutoCAD, Civil3D, or similar technical drawing and civil design applications.
• Good understanding of current geotechnical design codes, engineering standards, and industry best practices.
• Ability to review field data critically and identify inconsistencies, risks, and additional investigation requirements.
• Strong analytical ability with careful attention to calculations, assumptions, units, and technical detail.
• Effective written communication skills for preparing clear and defensible technical documentation.
• Confident verbal communication with the ability to participate in client meetings and technical discussions.
• Collaborative approach to working with multidisciplinary engineering, construction, and project management teams.
• Professional Engineer registration, Chartered Engineer status, or progress toward professional accreditation is desirable.
• Willingness to travel to construction and investigation sites when required.
• Commitment to quality assurance, professional ethics, safety, and continued technical development.

Skills Set

• Geotechnical engineering
• Soil mechanics
• Rock mechanics
• Ground investigation
• Borehole data interpretation
• Geotechnical field supervision
• Settlement analysis
• Shallow foundation design
• Deep foundation design
• Retaining wall design
• Slope stability analysis
• Earthworks engineering
• Ground improvement
• Excavation assessment
• Groundwater assessment
• GEO5
• WALLAP
• ALP
• Slope‑W
• Slide
• Plaxis
• AutoCAD
• Civil3D
• Numerical modelling
• Technical specifications
• Interpretative reporting
• Construction drawings
• Quality assurance
• Contractor coordination
• Geotechnical risk assessment

Why Join Us

This role provides exposure to technically challenging infrastructure and development projects across Abu Dhabi Emirate, where continued investment in transportation, buildings, utilities, and resilient urban development is creating sustained demand for qualified geotechnical engineers. AECOM offers access to experienced technical specialists, multidisciplinary project teams, advanced engineering software, structured development programmes, and opportunities to build professional accreditation.

Eligible employees may also receive medical coverage, life and disability benefits, paid leave, well‑being resources, business travel insurance, recognition programmes, retirement support, flexible work options, and other benefits according to employment status and company policy.