Geotechnical Engineer

Actalent; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Plan

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

PTO / Leave

Job summary

Actalent in Des Moines, IA is seeking a Geotechnical Engineer to support civil and construction projects by preparing proposals, conducting field observations, and reviewing soil tests. You will create soil logs, draft clear technical reports, and collaborate with experienced engineers before client delivery.

You will primarily work in the office with occasional field work, handling multiple projects while engaging with architects, owners, and engineers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil or construction engineering.
• Ability to obtain PE licensure while in this position.
• Foundational knowledge of geotechnical engineering principles and practices.
• Understanding of civil engineering and construction concepts.
• Interest in environmental/geotechnical aspects of construction projects.
• Proficiency with Word and Excel for reports and data analysis.
• Ability to create accurate soil logs from field data.

Responsibilities

• Prepare technical and commercial proposals for geotechnical and civil projects.
• Conduct construction field observation activities and document site conditions.
• Review field observation reports for completeness and accuracy.
• Review materials tests and reports, interpret results, and summarize findings.
• Create soil logs from field data and compile into clear documents.
• Support geotechnical analyses with field data and project recommendations.
• Manage 3–4 projects concurrently and meet deadlines.
• Draft comprehensive geotechnical and construction reports for client delivery.
• Collaborate with architects, owners, and engineers to understand project needs.
• Communicate technical information clearly to stakeholders.
• Maintain organized project documentation and data storage.
• Apply new technologies and industry best practices to projects.
• Pursue relevant certifications through professional development.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Report writing

Field observations

Soil logs

Communication

Multi-project management

Office and field work

EIT certification

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification preferred

P.E. licensure in progress

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

This Geotechnical Engineer role focuses on supporting a variety of civil and construction projects by preparing proposals, performing and reviewing construction field observations, and analyzing materials tests and reports. You will create and compile soil logs from field data and samples, draft clear technical reports, and collaborate closely with experienced engineers before final deliverables go to clients. The position offers flexibility to work primarily in the office with occasional field work, exposure to multiple concurrent projects, and regular interaction with architects, owners, and engineers.

Job Title: Geotechnical Engineer

Job Description

This Geotechnical Engineer role focuses on supporting a variety of civil and construction projects by preparing proposals, performing and reviewing construction field observations, and analyzing materials tests and reports. You will create and compile soil logs from field data and samples, draft clear technical reports, and collaborate closely with experienced engineers before final deliverables go to clients. The position offers flexibility to work primarily in the office with occasional field work, exposure to multiple concurrent projects, and regular interaction with architects, owners, and engineers.

Responsibilities

• Prepare technical and commercial proposals for geotechnical and civil engineering projects.
• Conduct construction field observation activities and document site conditions accurately.
• Review construction field observation reports to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance with project requirements.
• Review materials tests and reports, interpret results, and summarize findings for project teams and clients.
• Create soil logs from field logs and samples, and compile them into clear, typed documents or standardized forms.
• Utilize draft logs and other field data to support geotechnical analyses and project recommendations.
• Work on 3–4 projects at a time, effectively managing priorities and deadlines.
• Draft comprehensive geotechnical and construction-related reports and submit them to experienced engineers for review prior to client delivery.
• Collaborate closely with architects, owners, and engineers to understand project needs and provide geotechnical input.
• Communicate technical information clearly in written and verbal form to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Maintain organized project documentation and ensure that reports, logs, and test data are properly recorded and stored.
• Support continuous improvement by applying new technologies, methods, and industry best practices to project work.
• Participate in professional development activities and pursue relevant certifications in coordination with the engineering team.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Engineering.
• Ability to obtain Professional Engineer (PE) licensure while in this position.
• Foundational knowledge of geotechnical engineering principles and practices.
• Understanding of civil engineering and construction engineering concepts.
• Interest in environmental and geotechnical aspects of construction projects.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel, for report writing and data analysis.
• Ability to create accurate soil logs from field logs and samples and compile them into typed documents.
• Capability to review and interpret construction field observation reports and materials test results.
• Strong written communication skills for drafting clear, concise technical reports.
• Effective verbal communication skills for collaborating with architects, owners, and engineers.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Willingness to work in both office and field environments as project needs require.
• Eagerness to learn and partner with the geotechnical team, including new graduates who are willing to develop their skills.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification preferred.
• Interest in pursuing PE licensure with support from the organization.
• Exposure to geotechnical engineering, civil engineering, construction engineering, or environmental engineering coursework or projects.
• Comfort working in a close-knit, small office environment with frequent face-to-face interactions.
• Ability to build long-term professional relationships and contribute to a stable, high-tenure team.
• Motivation to stay current with industry trends and adopt innovative technologies and equipment.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development, including studying for certifications and exams.
• Strong teamwork orientation, with willingness to support colleagues and collaborate across disciplines.

Work Environment

This role is based in an office environment in Des Moines, with a typical schedule of Monday through Friday, approximately 40–45 hours per week, generally from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Work is primarily office-based, with only occasional field visits, and includes regular interaction with architects, owners, and engineers. The dress code is casual professional, such as jeans paired with a polo and nice shoes. The office is small and close-knit, fostering frequent face-to-face collaboration and a family-like culture where team members support one another and managers actively assist with projects. The organization offers strong accessibility to experienced management, significant growth opportunities, and invests heavily in employees’ development, including support for certifications and continued education. They embrace innovation, continually exploring new technologies and industry trends, and utilize specialized equipment and services. A company vehicle is available for travel to and from project sites, and the team is flexible in accommodating time off and personal schedules, contributing to a supportive and stable work environment with long average employee tenure.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Des Moines, IA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $45.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Des Moines,IA. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Oct 5, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.