Project Engineer – Geotechnical

Orion Placement; Newport Beach (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Orion Placement is seeking a geotechnical engineer for a hybrid role based in Southern California, with travel to Orange County and surrounding areas. You will own investigations from planning through report delivery, while collaborating with clients and engineers to drive project success.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years of geotechnical experience, an active EIT, a Civil Engineering degree, and is pursuing CA PE licensure.

Qualifications

• 3+ years geotechnical consulting or engineering experience.
• Southern California geotechnical experience.
• Active EIT certification.
• B.S. in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Actively working toward California PE licensure.
• Experience managing geotechnical investigations and multiple active projects.
• Strong technical writing, organization, and communication skills.
• Experience with slope stability, hillside projects, retaining walls, drilled pier foundations, construction observation, or Southern California geology is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage geotechnical investigations from initial planning and field coordination through analysis, reporting, and completion.
• Prepare proposals and assist with project scoping, scheduling, and budgeting.
• Coordinate geotechnical field investigations and review boring logs, laboratory testing, plans, and subsurface information.
• Perform geotechnical engineering analyses and develop practical recommendations.
• Prepare geotechnical reports, technical letters, and agency responses.
• Review architectural, structural, civil, and grading plans.
• Coordinate directly with clients, architects, engineers, contractors, and reviewing agencies.
• Provide construction support, field consultation, and geotechnical observation.
• Manage multiple active projects while keeping schedules and deliverables moving forward.

Skills

Geotechnical consulting

Project management

Field coordination

Technical writing

Client communication

Education

B.S. in Civil Engineering

Active EIT certification

CA P.E. licensure in progress

Job description

• Take ownership of geotechnical projects from initial investigation through final recommendations and construction support
• Grow into a meaningful project management role with direct client exposure and increasing independence
• Work on technically interesting Southern California projects involving hillside properties, coastal sites, slope stability, retaining structures, foundations, and development
• Join a collaborative, growing team where engineers stay closely involved with their projects instead of being limited to a narrow production role
• Build valuable experience while progressing toward California PE licensure

Location: Newport Beach, CA. This is a hybrid opportunity for a Southern California based engineer who is comfortable traveling to project sites throughout the region, primarily Orange County with occasional work from Los Angeles through North San Diego County.

Note: Candidates must have 3+ years of geotechnical consulting or engineering experience, including Southern California experience, an active EIT certification, a B.S. in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline, and be actively working toward California PE licensure. You should also be ready to independently manage a geotechnical investigation from planning through completion.

About Us

We are a growing Southern California geotechnical and engineering geology consulting team supporting a variety of residential, hillside, coastal, development, and construction projects. Our engineers work closely with clients, consultants, contractors, and reviewing agencies while taking meaningful ownership of their projects. We value sound judgment, communication, accountability, and people who want to grow with our team.

Confidential Employer.

Job Description

• Manage geotechnical investigations from initial planning and field coordination through analysis, reporting, and completion
• Prepare proposals and assist with project scoping, scheduling, and budgeting
• Coordinate geotechnical field investigations and review boring logs, laboratory testing, plans, and subsurface information
• Perform geotechnical engineering analyses and develop practical recommendations
• Prepare geotechnical reports, technical letters, and agency responses
• Review architectural, structural, civil, and grading plans
• Coordinate directly with clients, architects, engineers, contractors, and reviewing agencies
• Provide construction support, field consultation, and geotechnical observation
• Manage multiple active projects while keeping schedules and deliverables moving forward

Qualifications

• 3+ years of geotechnical consulting or engineering experience
• Southern California geotechnical experience
• Active EIT certification
• B.S. in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline
• Actively working toward California PE licensure
• Experience managing geotechnical investigations and multiple active projects
• Strong technical writing, organization, and communication skills
• Experience with slope stability, hillside projects, retaining walls, drilled pier foundations, construction observation, or Southern California geology is preferred

Why You Will Love Working Here

• Greater project ownership and independence as your experience grows
• Direct interaction with clients and other engineering professionals
• A mix of office, technical, project management, and field responsibilities
• Exposure to challenging geotechnical projects across Southern California
• A collaborative environment where strong performers can grow into significant project leadership responsibilities