Geotechnical Engineer Associate (TE Associate)

State of Iowa; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement plan (IPERS)

Flexible spending

Job summary

State of Iowa's Iowa Department of Transportation is seeking an entry-level Geotechnical Engineer Associate in Ames to work with a licensed professional engineer on state highway and interstate projects. This trainee role emphasizes learning, mentorship, and growth within the Geotechnical engineering field.

You will support the Soils Design Section by evaluating geotechnical conditions, assisting with design plans, and participating in field reviews, with opportunities to progress toward

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited four-year college or university.
• EIT certification and PE licensure requirements as per Iowa Board of Engineering and Land Surveying.
• Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam within 24 months of hire; licensure as a professional engineer within 6 years of hire.

Responsibilities

• Perform geotechnical engineering work in the preparation of roadway and bridge plans.
• Assist with emergency response projects.
• Evaluate foundation support for bridges, culverts, and other drainage structures and prepare recommendations.

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemical, civil, construction, environmental, materials, mechanics, structural, or transportation engineering or in engineering management

Job description

Come join the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Soil Design Section as a Geotechnical Engineer Associate (Transportation Engineer Associate)! This entry-level role is ideal for emerging engineers to work with a licensed professional engineer on state highway and interstate projects. This position will provide opportunities to learn and grow in the geotechnical engineering field.

The Soils Design Section within the Design Bureau plays a vital role in evaluating and addressing geotechnical and geologic conditions that affect the construction, repair, and rehabilitation of transportation projects throughout Iowa. You’ll be part of a collaborative, supportive team that values problem‑solving, knowledge‑sharing, and professional growth. Team members work closely with experienced engineers who prioritize mentorship and encourage curiosity, innovation, and continuous improvement.

As a Geotechnical Engineer Associate, you will:

• Perform geotechnical engineering work in the preparation of roadway and bridge plans.
• Assist with emergency response projects.
• Evaluate foundation support for bridges, culverts, and other drainage structures, and prepare recommendations consistent with applicable engineering standards.
• Inspect soils and foundation‑related problems or unexpected discoveries encountered during construction, helping determine practical solutions that minimize delays.
• Assess and recommend effective methods to meet roadway design objectives related to subgrade treatments, and grading activities, supporting design teams across the Iowa DOT.

Along the way, you’ll take on increasingly advanced technical assignments, work with diverse teams across the Iowa DOT, and gain the experience needed to progress to higher levels of responsibility. As part of a structured trainee‑journey progression, you’ll build the knowledge and experience needed to advance your career, including preparation for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and future eligibility for Professional Engineer licensure.

The Iowa Department of Transportation is proud to be a partner with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Through this partnership, DOT engineers are granted membership at a largely discounted price, as well as discounts for conferences and continuing education through the ASCE. We are excited to offer this benefit and to have you join this partnership with us! If you're interested in learning more about this benefit, please visit https://www.asce.org/membership.

Location: Ames, Iowa – Design Bureau/Soils Design Section.

Shift Requirements:

Days, Monday through Friday. Flexible work hours available.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to travel to remote locations for meetings and field reviews, and mobility to access sites in rugged terrain.
• Ability to lift and manipulate field equipment and other items weighing up to 50 pounds over uneven terrain.

• Valid Class C driver’s license to drive a state or personal vehicle for traveling to complete job duties.
• Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is required within 24 months of hire.
• Licensure as a professional engineer in the State of Iowa is required within 6 years of hire for continued employment as a Transportation Engineer Associate.

The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Mission is Making Lives Better Through Transportation. To accomplish our Mission, the person selected for this position will demonstrate actions and behaviors guided by the Iowa Department of Transportation’s five CORE values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception.

As a State of Iowa employee, you will be eligible for the following benefits:

• Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance
• Insurance benefits start the first month following 30 days of employment, and costs can be reviewed here.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Paid time off effective immediately - biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match
• Optional 401A plan with employer contributions.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial).

We encourage you to learn more about the State of Iowa Employee benefits and costs at the State of Iowa Employee Benefits Website!

The Iowa Department of Transportation is an equal‑opportunity employer. If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing any screening, interviewing, pre‑employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please direct your request to the Affinitative Action & Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/EEO) Officer at [e-mail].

Reasonable accommodation, such as an interpreter, translator, written materials, modified equipment/devices, ADA access, etc. This does not include scheduling needs.

The State of Iowa participates in E‑Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E‑Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

1. Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university with a bachelor's degree in chemical, civil, construction, environmental, materials, mechanics, structural, or transportation engineering or in engineering management.
2. Possession of a verification of graduation with major coursework in chemical, civil, construction, environmental, materials, mechanics, structural, or transportation engineering or in engineering management.

Applicants hired with verification of graduation will be required to graduate with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four‑year college or university within 10 months of hire.

• Certification as an Engineer in Training (EIT) by the Iowa Engineering & Land Surveying Examining Board
• Licensure as a professional engineer by the Iowa Engineering & Land Surveying Examining Board.

Work Authorization/Sponsorship

At this time, we’re not considering applicants that need any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States. This includes, but IS NOT LIMITED TO: F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H‑1B, TN, L‑1, J‑1, etc. For additional information around work authorization needs please use the following links.

Nonimmigrant Workers and Green Card for Employment‑Based Immigrants