Geotechnical Staff Engineer

Westwood-Professional-Services; Lansdale (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is seeking a Geotechnical Staff Engineer to join our Power teams.

This role supports senior staff with field investigations, lab coordination, analyses, and construction monitoring for power projects including transmission lines, substations, wind, and solar projects. The candidate will work in a dynamic geotechnical team, perform site testing, report preparation, and occasionally field observation, with travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil/geotechnical engineering from an ABET-accredited college.
• Related work experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of geotechnical engineering fundamentals, testing, and design/construction.
• Strong technical, communication and interpersonal skills with detailed documentation.
• Ability to travel and work in the field for extended periods.
• Work outdoors in varied weather and terrains on active construction sites.
• Attention to detail and quality control of own work.
• Effective written and spoken English communication.
• Sound judgment and time/workload management.
• Proficiency in MS Office, GeoStudio, LPile; AutoCAD Civil3D is a plus.
• EIT/FE certification.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Lead on-site coordination and execution of geotechnical site investigations with drilling subcontractors.
• Assess geotechnical lab tests and prepare investigation reports with site data.
• Interpret data to classify materials and define engineering properties.
• Perform analyses including bearing capacity, settlements and slope stability.
• Support proposals, bid docs, and design reports with geotechnical input.
• Communicate findings to management and project teams; monitor field progress.

Skills

Geotechnical testing

Field supervision

Data interpretation

Technical writing

English communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil/geotechnical engineering (ABET-accredited)

EIT/FE certification

Tools

GeoStudio

LPile

AutoCAD Civil3D

MS Office

Job description

Description

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is seeking a Geotechnical Staff Engineer to join our Power teams. The successful job applicant will be part of a dynamic geotechnical engineering team and will assist senior geotechnical staff with project work involving various aspects of geotechnical engineering related to power projects, including transmission lines, substations, wind projects, and solar projects. Work elements may involve some or all the following: geotechnical investigation field work and in-situ testing, laboratory testing coordination, geotechnical analysis and design, report preparation, and construction monitoring/observation. Westwood has a highly experienced and dynamic team of individuals dedicated to providing high-level professional services to our clients.

Requirements

• Lead on-site coordination and execution of geotechnical site investigations by managing drilling subcontractors, logging soil samples, and performing geotechnical testing.
• Participate in assignment and assessment of geotechnical laboratory tests, preparation of geotechnical investigation reports, and application of site data to analyses and design.
• Interpret and analyze geotechnical data to establish classification and engineering characteristics of materials.
• Complete or assist with geotechnical engineering analysis including, but not limited to: geohazard constraint analysis, axial and lateral capacity of deep foundations, bearing capacity and settlement of shallow foundations, access road section design, thermal properties of trenching material, slope stability, and interpretation of geophysical data.
• Keep management advised of work status, workload, problems, and progress as related to work assignments.
• Participate in the preparation of proposals, bid documents and capital cost estimates, construction drawings and design reports.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil/geotechnical engineering from an ABET-accredited college.
• Related work experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of geotechnical engineering fundamentals, geotechnical testing, and general civil/geotechnical engineering design and construction practices
• Strong technical, communication and interpersonal skills and works best in a fast-paced environment. Along with detailed documentation focus and sound technical writing skills.
• Ability to travel and work in the field for extended periods (up to 2 weeks straight).
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions and various terrains associated with undeveloped sites and active construction projects.
• Ability to pay close attention to detail and check the quality of own work.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing in English.
• Ability to use sound judgment.Ability to manage time and workload effectively, which includes planning, organizing, and prioritizing with attention to details.
• Proficiency in MS Office, familiarity with slope stability software (GeoStudio), pile design software (LPile), and other geotechnical software a plus. Knowledge of Auto CAD Civil3D would also be an asset.
• EIT/FE certification.
• Valid driver’s license.

About Westwood Professional Services, Inc. (Westwood)

At Westwood, our purpose is to create a better world for people through our work. We transform the energy grid, design resilient infrastructure, and develop communities that will flourish today and for future generations. With over 50 years of experience and a legacy of innovation, we stand at the forefront of our industry, dedicated to understanding the unique needs of the markets we serve.

Our approach revolves around people. We are committed to building a culture that attracts, retains, and develops high performers. Our team values relationships, innovation, dedication, initiative, and growth. We believe fostering a collaborative "One Team" mentality yields superior outcomes in everything we do.

We customize our technical capabilities and geographic reach to meet our clients where they are and help them realize their vision. We are partners in our clients’ success, driving to provide solutions that make a lasting difference. Safety, sustainability, and operational excellence are not just facets of our work; they are intrinsic to our identity, guiding every decision we make.

We are deeply invested in the communities we serve. Through our projects and giving-back initiatives, we enrich the lives of those we serve, engage others within our industry, and create a lasting impact on communities around the world. To us, success transcends the completion of projects; it is reflected in the lives we have positively impacted by our work.

Join us in creating a better world.

In 2025, Westwood was recognized as #77 on the ENR Top 500 Design Firms. Additionally, Westwood was ranked #5 for ENR's Top Design Firm for Solar, #6 for Battery Storage, and #3 for Wind (2025). The firm consistently ranks on the industry's top 25 lists and receives recognition for its involvement in award-winning projects nationwide.

Westwood provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diverse backgrounds strengthen our business. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.