Geotechnical Engineer: Field & Design Specialist

HDR, Inc.; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Orlando, Florida is looking for a Geotechnical Engineer to support design and construction projects. The role involves reviewing geotechnical design submittals, providing field support during installation, and reviewing testing activities. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 4 years of geotechnical engineering experience, a professional engineering license, and strong communication skills. This is a full-time position with responsibilities across multiple project sites, ensuring that high standards are maintained throughout.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years of geotechnical engineering experience.
• Working knowledge of geotechnical principles and foundation systems.
• Familiarity with FDOT standards and testing procedures.

Responsibilities

• Review geotechnical design submittals for compliance with standards.
• Provide field support during installation of geotechnical elements.
• Coordinate and review geotechnical testing activities.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Field observation

Education

Professional engineering license (PE or P.Eng)

Tools

Microsoft Office

GeoStudio

Bentley suite (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'

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 Position:

The Geotechnical Engineer supports geotechnical elements of projects across our client's systems through different phases of it, including, but not limited to planning, design and construction phases. This role works closely with the Materials Operation Engineer, our client's Geotechnical Engineer Lead, Other districts DGEs, CEI teams, and project staff to provide timely technical input, support field operations, and help resolve geotechnical issues and emergencies.

The position is focused on practical application of geotechnical engineering in both design and construction environment, contributing to quality assurance, risk reduction, and alignment between design intent, applicable codes and standards, and field execution.

Core Responsibilities

1. Geotechnical Support to Design

• Review geotechnical design submittals (plans, reports, calculations) for compliance with standards
• Provide comments on shop drawings and geotechnical-related design elements to support constructability
• Assist in review of geotechnical scope elements and identify potential risks or gaps early in design
• Support evaluation of cost saving initiatives and alternative technical concepts

2. Construction Support & Field Oversight

• Provide field support during installation of geotechnical elements
• Assist CEI staff with interpretation of plans, specs, and geotechnical requirements
• Participate in or support pre-construction and pre-operation meetings to clarify expectations
• Observe field activities and identify non-conformance or potential issues

3. Testing, Evaluation & Documentation

• Coordinate and review geotechnical testing activities
• Review foundation logs, installation records, and certification packages for completeness and accuracy
• Assist in evaluating test results and supporting recommendations for foundation performance

4. Quality Assurance & Issue Resolution

• Support geotechnical QA efforts through field reviews, documentation checks, and coordination with CEI
• Identify and help resolve geotechnical issues encountered during construction
• Assist in evaluating non-conformance issues and recommending corrective actions
• Provide technical input on geotechnical-related claims or disputes

5. Coordination & Program Support

• Coordinate with geotechnical subconsultants, testing firms, and laboratories
• Interface with client Materials Office, and project stakeholders
• Support consistent communication across design, construction, and materials teams
• Contribute to improving geotechnical processes, documentation, and field practices
• Clear, actionable geotechnical review comments
• Evaluated test results with supporting recommendations
• Field observations and QA documentation
• Timely technical input that supports design development and construction progress and reduces risk

Key Outputs (What This Role Produces)

• Clear, actionable geotechnical review comments
• Evaluated test results with supporting recommendations
• Field observations and QA documentation
• Timely technical input that supports design development and construction progress and reduces risk

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of 4 years of geotechnical engineering experience
• Working knowledge of geotechnical principles, foundation systems, and soil behavior
• Familiarity with FDOT standards, specifications, and testing procedures
• Ability to interpret construction documents and technical data
• Strong communication and coordination skills in a field environment
• Ability to work independently while supporting a broader team structure
• Practical problem-solving mindset focused on constructability and risk reduction
• Field-based role with frequent travel across project sites

#LI-JG9

Required Qualifications

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.

Primary Location

Primary Location

: United States-Florida-Orlando

Other Locations

Industry

: Construction, Project Controls & Design/Build

Schedule

Schedule

: Full-time

Employee Status

Employee Status

: Regular

BusinessClass : Geotechnical

Job Posting

Job Posting

: Sep 4, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity.

We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employe r.

We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.

Ready to learn more? Let's work together to make great thingspossible.

We design solutions to the world's greatest challenges. We'realways looking for great talent to join our global teams.