Junior Concrete Petrographer

Engineering Consulting Service; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

ECS Group of Companies (ECS) is seeking a laboratory-focused professional to support the Materials Science Laboratory and related investigations in Pittsburgh. You will learn and perform industry-standard test methods, maintain documentation, and assist with equipment calibration and supplies management.

The role requires a geology or related degree with microscopy experience; no prior experience is required, but familiarity with microscopes and thin sections is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in geology or related field with mineralogy/petrology/geochemistry coursework
• No experience required
• Experience preparing microscopy specimens preferred (thin sections, SEM/EDS)
• Valid driver’s license if driving for ECS subsidiary
• Ability to identify minerals and classify rock types
• Experience with optical and scanning electron microscopes
• Experience with thin section preparation techniques
• Strong curiosity, problem-solving and motivation to learn
• Teamwork and independence with good organizational skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and image processing tools/software

Responsibilities

• Support Materials Science Laboratory and project material investigations
• Learn and perform industry-standard lab test methods with QA documentation
• Comply with corporate and office QMS policies and procedures
• Obtain and maintain lab-testing certifications from external certifying agencies
• Provide training to incoming junior staff
• Collaborate with in-house engineers, architects, and other professionals
• Assist with organization, calibration tracking, and consumables inventory
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Microsoft Office

Image processing tools

Education

Bachelor of science in Geology or related field with mineralogy/petrology/geochemistry coursework

Tools

Stereo-optical microscope

Polarized light microscope

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) with EDS

Job description

Responsibilities

• Perform all necessary existing and developmental tasks in support of the Materials Science Laboratory and project material related investigations.
• Learn and perform industry standard laboratory test methods following strict quality and documentation requirements and good laboratory practices.
• Responsible for complying with corporate-level and office-specific Quality Management Systems (QMS) related policies and procedures; including adoption, implementation, and enforcement.
• Responsible for obtaining and maintaining appropriate lab-testing related certifications by external certifying agencies for the defined scope.
• Provide training to incoming junior level staff.
• Collaborate with in-house engineers, architects, and other technical professionals.
• Assist with the organization and operation of the laboratory including but not limited to tracking of equipment calibration and laboratory consumable supplies
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of science in Geology, Physical Science, Civil Engineering or a related field with coursework in mineralogy, petrology, and geochemistry.
• No experience required.
• Experience preparing specimens for microscopy such as thin sections and use of a stereo-optical microscope, polarized light microscope, or scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), is preferred.
• If driving for, or on behalf of, any ECS subsidiary, a valid driver’s license is required.
• Ability to identify minerals and classify rock types
• Experience or familiarity with the operation and maintenance of optical microscopes and scanning electron microscopes
• Experience or familiarity with thin section preparation techniques
• Intellectual curiosity, problem-solving abilities, and strong motivation to learn
• Ability to work effectively in teams, with peers, and independently
• Dependable, self-motivated, responsible and detail-oriented
• Good organization skills and ability to prioritize mulitple tasks
• Proficient in use of Microsoft Office Suite and image collection and processing tools/software

About Us

ECS Group of Companies (ECS) was founded in 1988 with the goal to raise the standards of professional engineering consulting. Today, we are a leader in geotechnical, construction materials, environmental and building science + infrastructure consulting services. We are employee-owned with more than 3,200 employees in 125 offices and testing facilities coast to coast. ECS is currently ranked #60 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms (April 2026), #148 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms (October 2025) and #38 in Zweig Group’s Hot Firm List (June 2026). For additional information about ECS, visit: www.ecslimited.com.

ECS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To learn more, click here.