Geotechnical Engineer

HDR; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 76,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Geotechnical Engineer to lead field and lab investigations for transportation projects in Virginia Beach and surrounding areas. The role emphasizes coordination with senior staff, clients, and design teams to deliver technically sound recommendations.

You'll develop proposals, analyze soil and rock properties, and contribute to design documents while ensuring compliance with project schedules and HDR's employee-owned culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license recognized by licensing board (state).
• Experience with Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with GeoStudio/Ensoft slope stability, settlement, seepage and deep foundation software.
• Experience with Bentley geotechnical data management and visualization software (gINT/OpenGround/LeapFrog).
• Strong communication and ability to work with clients and team.
• Virginia PE or ability to obtain within six months.

Responsibilities

• Perform geotechnical field and laboratory investigations.
• Prepare proposals and reporting documents.
• Coordinate design and project team activities to implement geotechnical recommendations.
• Communicate with internal and external clients.
• Develop and coordinate subsurface exploration programs and reporting.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Communication

Project management

Team collaboration

Client coordination

Education

BSCE or Civil Engineering

Master's in Geotechnical Engineering

Tools

gINT

Slope/W

APILE

LPILE

Settle3D

Bentley gINT/OpenGround/LeapFrog

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

We believe transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

The primary duties of the Geotechnical Engineer are development and completion of geotechnical field and laboratory investigations, preparation of proposals and reporting documents, and completion and coordination of technical analyses for design. A good candidate will be familiar with geotechnical investigations, laboratory testing, and design activities for transportation projects including bridges, fill embankments, cut slopes, subgrades, pavements, retaining walls, and ground improvement. Involved in communication with both internal and external clients. Must be comfortable with design and project team coordination to confirm implementation of geotechnical recommendations into project documents.

A Geotechnical Engineer’s traits include organizing, coordinating, and executing field exploration efforts, geotechnical analyses, and development of geotechnical reporting documents. Expected to make decisions and recommendations that impact project direction and activities, with guidance and direction from senior geotechnical engineers. Typically requires four or more years of progressive experience. This individual is required to exhibit excellent communication skills, work collaboratively with team members and clients, and demonstrate ability to manage tasks simultaneously. This individual must possess a Virginia Professional Engineering license (or ability to get it within six months of employment) and have functional experience with geotechnical analyses. Will be responsible for working directly with the senior geotechnical engineering staff and other team members to complete assigned work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) from an accredited 4-year engineering program
• Master's degree in civil engineering with Geotechnical emphasis
• Proficient with geotechnical software including gINT, Slope/W, APILE, LPILE, Settle3D, as well as the ability to develop and execute designs using spreadsheets
• Project management experience
• 4+ years of geotechnical consulting experience
• Experience with developing and executing subsurface exploration and laboratory testing programs for soils and rock
• Independently complete proposal preparation and develop geotechnical data/engineering reports
• Independently complete and/or coordinate efforts for subsurface characterization, development of geotechnical design parameters, slope stability and settlement analysis, and design of shallow foundations, deep foundations, retaining walls, and pavements
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications.
• Preference given to candidates currently residing in the Mid-Atlantic Area (VA/MD/DC)

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
• Previous experience with Microsoft Office applications, MicroStation or other software as appropriate
• Experience with GeoStudio/Ensoft slope stability, settlement, seepage and deep foundation response software, as appropriate
• Experience with Bentley suite of geotechnical data management and visualization software (gINT/OpenGround/LeapFrog)
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) Fulton, MD: $84,084 - $120,120. Glen Allen, VA: $76,440 - $109,200. Vienna, VA: $91,728 - $131,040. Virginia Beach, VA: $76,440 - $109,200.

Primary Location:United States-Virginia-Glen Allen Other Locations:United States-Virginia-Vienna, United States-Virginia-Virginia Beach, United States-Maryland-Fulton Industry:Highway + Road Schedule:Full-time Employee Status:Regular BusinessClass:Geotechnical Job Posting:Aug 7, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Aff…(https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.