Associate Geotechnical Engineer

WSP Global Inc.; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 81,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP Global Inc. in Southern California (Irvine/San Diego/Los Angeles) seeks an Associate Geotechnical Engineer with 1–3 years post-degree experience. The role includes plan and support subsurface explorations, data collection, laboratory coordination, and geotechnical reporting under supervision.

You will perform engineering calculations, develop recommendations, and assist with QA/QC, client communications, and compliance with safety standards. Travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Geotechnical Engineering or closely related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• 1 to 3 years of relevant post-education experience.
• Experience with desktop and industry-specific software (e.g., MSOffice, AutoCAD, and MSProject) required.
• Hands on knowledge on the use of field equipment.
• Must have strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to establish effective internal and external working relationships.
• Ability to communicate clearly with on-site contractors, supervisor or project manager regarding work assignments required.
• Proficient self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
• Ability to work independently under general supervision, as well as part of a team to meet business objectives.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Frequent local travel and occasional out-of-town travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Responsibilities

• Plan and support subsurface explorations (e.g., borings, test pits, CPTs) and coordinate with drillers, surveyors, and utility locators as needed.
• Identifying ways to improve our field data collection or reporting templates to make our team more efficient and competitive.
• Log soil and rock in the field; document groundwater, sampling, and drilling conditions; and maintain organized field notes and photo records.
• Coordinate laboratory testing programs (index, strength, consolidation, corrosion, etc.) and review results for completeness and reasonableness.
• Perform engineering calculations and analyses (e.g., bearing capacity, settlement, lateral earth pressures, slope stability screening, and seismic site considerations) using accepted methods and software tools.
• Peer-reviewing the work of junior staff and technicians to ensure our deliverables are error‑free and professionally presented.
• Develop preliminary and final geotechnical recommendations for foundations, slabs, earthwork, excavations, temporary support, and earth retention systems, as applicable to the project.
• Prepare geotechnical reports, memoranda, figures, and tables that clearly communicate findings, assumptions, and recommendations.
• Support construction‑phase services such as grading/excavation observations, footing subgrade evaluations, pile installation monitoring support, and documentation of nonconformance and corrective actions.
• Apply QA/QC practices to calculations and deliverables; follow internal standards, checklists, and peer review processes.
• Communicate with project managers, design team members, contractors, and clients to address technical questions and field issues in a timely manner.
• Follow health, safety, and environmental requirements; help identify hazards and implement appropriate controls during field activities.
• Track assigned tasks, budgets, and schedules; provide status updates and proactively raise risks or scope changes.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Self-leadership

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Geotechnical Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

MS Office

AutoCAD

MS Project

Job description

This Opportunity

WSP is seeking anAssociate Geotechnical Engineer to work out of our Southern California region (Irvine, San Diego and Los Angeles) The entry level position would involve assignments of limited scope and complexity; work supervised in detail; may give guidance to junior professionals or more junior technician staff; generally more than two years experience post Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combinations of graduate level degree and experience.

Candidate is expected to have basic orientation, training and experience in the nature of the consulting business, i.e., how to be a consultant, how to write proposals, reports, client correspondence and internal documents, and how to gain familiarity with the standard procedures and practices associated with their discipline. Typical project assignments include collecting or compiling data, either in the field or from published and unpublished materials, entering data into and extracting data from standard computer programs, and researching the more complex regulatory or technical requirements. Candidate will be required to travel occasionally to field assignments.All work performed by the candidate will be under the supervision of the project manager or senior staff member.

Your Impact

• Plan and support subsurface explorations (e.g., borings, test pits, CPTs) and coordinate with drillers, surveyors, and utility locators as needed.
• Identifying ways to improve our field data collection or reporting templates to make our team more efficient and competitive.
• Log soil and rock in the field; document groundwater, sampling, and drilling conditions; and maintain organized field notes and photo records.
• Coordinate laboratory testing programs (index, strength, consolidation, corrosion, etc.) and review results for completeness and reasonableness.
• Perform engineering calculations and analyses (e.g., bearing capacity, settlement, lateral earth pressures, slope stability screening, and seismic site considerations) using accepted methods and software tools.
• Peer-reviewing the work of junior staff and technicians to ensure our deliverables are error‑free and professionally presented.
• Develop preliminary and final geotechnical recommendations for foundations, slabs, earthwork, excavations, temporary support, and earth retention systems, as applicable to the project.
• Prepare geotechnical reports, memoranda, figures, and tables that clearly communicate findings, assumptions, and recommendations.
• Support construction‑phase services such as grading/excavation observations, footing subgrade evaluations, pile installation monitoring support, and documentation of nonconformance and corrective actions.
• Apply QA/QC practices to calculations and deliverables; follow internal standards, checklists, and peer review processes.
• Communicate with project managers, design team members, contractors, and clients to address technical questions and field issues in a timely manner.
• Follow health, safety, and environmental requirements; help identify hazards and implement appropriate controls during field activities.
• Track assigned tasks, budgets, and schedules; provide status updates and proactively raise risks or scope changes.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Geotechnical Engineering, or closely related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• 1 to 3 years of relevant post education experience.
• Experience with desktop and industry‑specific software (e.g., MSOffice, AutoCAD, and MSProject) required.
• Hands on knowledge on the use of field equipment.
• Must have strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to establish effective internal and external working relationships.
• Ability to communicate clearly with on‑site contractors, supervisor or project manager regarding work assignments required.
• Proficient self‑leadership with attention to detail, multi‑tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
• Ability to work independently under general supervision, as well as part of a team to meet business objectives.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project‑specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Frequent local travel and occasional out‑of‑town travel may be required depending on project‑specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Geotechnical Engineering.
• Engineer in Training Certification.
• Professional Engineer licensure.

A member of and/or actively participate in local professional practice organizations.

WSP Benefits:

• coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life
• retirement savings
• paid sick leave
• paid vacation (or other personal time)
• paid parental leave
• paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Compensation:

Expected Salary (all locations): $81,000 - $101,500