Petrographer | 2+ Years

01 Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 94,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

401(k) matching

Time off & training

Job summary

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE) in Austin seeks an experienced Petrographer to join our local team and apply a principles-first, problem-solving approach to evaluate cementitious materials for AEC projects.

You will perform petrographic analyses, microscopy, data recording, and collaborative investigations across building materials, from historic preservation to new construction, with mentorship and career development provided.

Qualifications

• Degree in geology or related field with mineralogy/petrology/geochemistry coursework
• Minimum two years of applied petrographic laboratory experience
• Strong hands-on experience with petrographic microscopy and sample prep

Responsibilities

• Contribute to multiple projects with limited oversight under supervision of senior petrographers
• Perform petrographic analyses, microscopy, field assessment, and physical testing (e.g., strength and durability)
• Record and organize data for analysis and verify test results for reasonableness
• Maintain laboratory safety, equipment setup/maintenance, and quality assurance processes

Skills

Optical mineralogy

Petrology

Petrographic sample prep

Microscopy

Data analysis & reporting

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in geology/materials science/geological engineering

Tools

LIBS

Job description

Petrographer

WJE Austin is home to WJE’s second-largest laboratory facility, and we are seeking an experienced Petrographer to join our local team. Bring your problem-solving mindset, insatiable curiosity, and developing technical expertise to a team that is genuinely excited about their work and invested in each other’s success.

As a Petrographer at WJE, you will apply a principles-first, problem-solving approach to determine root causes of problems, characterize materials, and evaluate performance for a variety of cementitious materials applications across the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry.

Our industry-leading team of petrographers contributes to investigations involving concrete, mortar, aggregate, dimension stone, stucco, and other building materials, including problems such as alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR, including both ASR and ACR), mix design verification, low strength, cement-admixture interaction, efflorescence, delamination and other surface defects, fire-damaged concrete, cracking, sulfate attack, freeze-thaw damage, and delayed ettringite formation (DEF).

We leverage multiple state-of-the-art methods, such as optical microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, image analysis, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), and electrical resistivity, and have access to additional capabilities and a broader team of materials scientists in WJE’s Janney Technical Center.

In addition to managing projects for external clients, our petrographers collaborate with engineers and architects across WJE to solve interesting and complex problems in the built world, ranging from historic preservation and collapse investigations to new construction challenges.

Flexibility in Position Level: Recognizing the unique combination of skills applicable to the niche practice of forensic petrographic analysis, we are open to considering candidates at a variety of experience levels for this position. Whether you are early in your career or an established expert, our team is ready and willing to provide commensurate support, mentorship, and training necessary to set you up for long-term success.

Typical Responsibilities of Early-Career Associates

• Contribute to the day-to-day success of multiple concurrent projects and complete work with limited oversight, under the guidance of experienced petrographers
• Perform hands-on petrographic analyses, microscopy, field assessment, and physical testing, such as compressive strength and durability testing
• Accurately record and organize data for analysis, while exercising good judgment in assessing the reasonableness of test results
• Assume responsibility for key aspects of laboratory safety, maintenance, and quality assurance, including setting up, operating, and maintaining laboratory instruments; cleaning glassware; restocking laboratory supplies, reagents, and solutions

Qualifications / Key Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in geology, materials science/engineering, geological engineering, or a related field with substantial coursework in mineralogy, petrology, and geochemistry; advanced degree preferred
• Minimum two years of applied petrographic laboratory experience; industry experience preferred to experience gained solely in an academic setting
• Strong foundation in optical mineralogy, petrology, and petrographic sample preparation, including the following methods: traditional petrographic microscopy; thin section analysis; immersion mount analysis; hand sample analysis with a stereomicroscope; point-count and modal analysis; and preparation of thin sections, polished sections, lapped hand samples, etc.
• Excellent technical, written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to prioritize tasks and adapt to changing demands while maintaining a high standard of excellence, integrity, and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment

Physical Requirements

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, with or without a reasonable accommodation.
• This position requires visual acuity and listening ability.
• Individuals must have the dexterity to operate office, laboratory, and field equipment.
• Requirements may also include: Ability to work safely in a laboratory and testing environment; Ability to travel and attend meetings at various office, field, laboratory, and construction sites; Ability to perform inspections of buildings and other structures, both visually and with instruments; 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 50 lbs.; 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 200,000 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. People with outstanding Character, unwavering Commitment to our core and culture, strong Expertise, and genuine Enthusiasm for their work.

Learn more about the Extraordinary People we hire at WJE at www.wje.com/careers

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: $93,520.00 - $140,280.00

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

Learn more about WJE’s total rewards package here.

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.