Geotechnical Engineer | 10+ Years

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 101,550 - 169,250; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health plans

401(k) matching

Educational assistance

Job summary

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. is seeking a Geotechnical Engineer to oversee technical project execution and manage client relationships. You will ensure the success of multiple projects while mentoring teammates and providing high-quality technical deliverables.

Ideal candidates will have ten years of experience in geotechnical engineering, a Master’s degree or PhD in the field, and strong project management skills. The role requires a collaborative mindset and a commitment to quality in a supportive work culture.

Qualifications

• Minimum ten years of relevant geotechnical engineering industry experience.
• Experience with design and performance evaluation of foundations.
• Ability to perform field observations and take soil samples.

Responsibilities

• Lead hands-on field work and construction administration.
• Act as the primary point of contact for clients and contractors.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects and client expectations.

Skills

Geotechnical Engineering Expertise

Project Management

Technical Communication

Education

Master’s degree or PhD in Geotechnical Engineering

Licensed Geotechnical Engineer

Job description

Responsibilities

Technical project execution, including performing and leading others in hands‑on field work, diagnostic testing, and construction administration; combining a first‑principles approach and creative problem‑solving with a deep understanding of governing codes, design guidelines, and industry practices; collaborating with interdisciplinary project teams across WJE as the geotechnical engineering subject‑matter expert (SME); leveraging your expertise for a variety of geotechnical engineering projects, including forensics, problem‑solving, and remediation challenges related to buildings and/or infrastructure; and preparing technically excellent client deliverables.

Day‑to‑day success of multiple concurrent projects (whether or not you are the project manager), including acting as the primary point of contact for clients, contractors, and project teams; jumping in to help where needed; training and mentoring teammates; providing high‑quality reviews of work by others; and sealing project documents as the Engineer of Record, as appropriate.

Project management, including client development, project scoping, assembling and managing appropriate project teams, maintaining project schedules and budgets, negotiating changes to scope, and managing client expectations and deliverables.

Contributions to geotechnical engineering practice and company‑wide objectives, including fostering genuine client relationships inside and outside of WJE; collaborating with other WJE SMEs for in‑house knowledge‑sharing and training initiatives; and engaging in meaningful involvement in industry‑related professional organizations, conferences, and technical committees.

Qualifications

• Licensed Geotechnical Engineer in relevant state(s).
• Master’s degree or PhD in geotechnical engineering or related field.
• Minimum ten years of relevant geotechnical engineering industry experience, with demonstrated expertise in geotechnical engineering applications across various soil conditions, including but not limited to design and performance evaluation of foundations for various structure types (including deep foundations); hands‑on investigation and testing methods to diagnose distressed conditions; underpinning, ground improvement, and other remedial measures for distressed buildings and other structures; slope stability and earth retention; and settlement issues.
• Dedicated self‑starter, motivated to contribute to the growth of an expanding consulting practice based on a “principles first” problem‑solving approach.
• Excellent technical, graphical, written, and verbal communication skills.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel and attend meetings at various office, field, and construction sites.
• Ability to perform field observations and take soil samples and data measurements (e.g., log borings, piezometers, inclinometers, etc.).
• Ability to safely work at heights, in confined spaces, and in a variety of occupationally hazardous locations, including outdoors with exposure to temperature extremes.
• Ability to safely use and/or operate ladders, scaffolds, lifts, and other access equipment.
• Ability to lift and carry materials, tools, and other heavy equipment up to 50lbs.
• Medically fit to utilize respiratory protection devices and other forms of personal protective equipment.
• Ability to drive and safely operate a motor vehicle.

Culture, Compensation, and Benefits

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE) is a global firm of engineers, architects, and materials scientists. Clients worldwide seek our expertise to solve the most significant, interesting, and challenging problems in the built world. Our applied experience from more than 175,000 projects combined with unparalleled laboratory and testing capabilities have made WJE a leader in providing innovative yet practical solutions to the clients we serve.

Working at WJE is a team endeavor characterized by a culture of trust and personal responsibility. We encourage open communication, continuous learning, innovative thinking, ongoing mentoring, and free‑flowing collaboration. We seek highly talented and hard‑working individuals who want to be challenged, who want hands‑on work, who want to set a higher standard, and who want to be mentored by the industry’s most accomplished experts.

WJE offers a robust, total compensation structure composed of base salary, incentive pay, and industry‑leading benefits. Base salary is determined through consideration of a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role while remaining mindful of our commitment to internal equity. Employees receive variable compensation based on personal and company performance, typically resulting in above‑market total compensation.

A good faith estimate of the annual starting base salary (gross) is in the following range: $101,550.00–$169,250.00.

WJE’s industry‑leading, total rewards package enables our employees to grow and thrive with comprehensive health and financial benefits, including robust and affordable health plans for employees and their families, including HSA as well as low and high‑deductible PPO options; generous 401(k) matching of 110% for the first 6% of eligible pay, vesting immediately; time off to care for yourself and others; investments in employees’ educational assistance and professional development.

Equal Opportunity Employer

WJE is an Equal Opportunity Employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. WJE will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of Fair Chance Ordinances.

Founded in 1956, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (WJE) is an interdisciplinary firm of engineers, architects, and materials scientists committed to helping clients solve, repair, and avoid problems in the built world. Supported by unparalleled laboratory and field‑testing capabilities, our experts draw on more than seventy years of experience to deliver innovative and practical solutions grounded in deep technical expertise.