Senior Geotechnical Engineer

aes; Salt Lake City (UT); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

AES is recruiting a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to provide technical expertise across renewable energy project development, from planning through construction and operations. You will support foundation design, soil mechanics, risk assessment, and geotechnical investigations for wind, solar, and storage facilities.

The role requires deep understanding of geotechnical engineering principles, experience in large-scale projects, design optimization, safety, and collaboration with project teams and

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in foundation, earthwork, roadway, and slope stability design for large renewable energy projects.
• Strong knowledge of geotechnical principles and site investigation methods.
• Ability to review geotechnical reports for technical accuracy and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Identify geotechnical risks during early project development and provide recommendations on design and cost estimation.
• Develop and review design packages for civil, structural, and electrical works (30%, 60%, 90%, 100%).
• Conduct site visits and field inspections during construction and operations to assess ground stability.
• Support Operations and Maintenance with remediation plans and troubleshooting.
• Mentor staff on new geotechnical technologies and safe construction practices.
• Engage in stakeholder meetings and evaluate consultants for future Master Service Agreements.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Soil mechanics

Foundation design

Job description

Are you ready to be part of a company that's not just talking about the future, but actively shaping it? Join The AES Corporation, the largest US-based global power company with a team of 8,300 employees across 12 countries.

AES has been ranked #1 by BloombergNEF in renewable energy sales to corporations in the US and Americas for five consecutive years, providing electricity for millions of people worldwide.

We are proud to foster a strong workplace culture, earning prominent positions in Great Place to Work™ rankings across the markets where we operate. AES was also named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the 13th consecutive year in 2026, highlighting our dedication to integrity, transparency, and responsible business practices.

Our spirit of innovation continues to earn industry recognition. AES is the only seven-time winner of the Edison Electric Institute's Edison Awards in the twenty-first century, a distinction honoring global leadership in advancing the electric power industry.

If you're ready to be part of a company that's not just adapting to change, but driving it, AES is the place for you. We're not just building a more sustainable future , we're powering it.

AES is recruiting a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to provide technical expertise in all phases of renewable energy project development, from the initial stages through construction and operations. This role will support the delivery of foundation solutions for wind, photovoltaic (PV), and grid-scale battery storage facilities ranging in capacity from less than 5 MW to over 1,000 MW.

The Senior Geotechnical Engineer will address geotechnical matters across project teams to optimize design, mitigate risk, and help ensure successful results. The position requires adaptability and time management skills to handle multiple geotechnical requests of varying complexity while upholding standards for safety, technical quality, and professional integrity.

Candidates should have a deep understanding of geotechnical engineering principles, soil mechanics, and foundation design methodologies. Significant experience in foundation, earthwork, roadway, and slope stability design and review for large renewable energy projects is required.

We are open to hiring a candidate outside of the listed locations. However, if a candidate is located near one of the office locations, there will be potentital hybrid arrangements.

Key Responsibilities

Project Development and Risk Assessment

• Identify geotechnical risks during early project development and provide recommendations on design and cost estimation.
• Conduct preliminary site hazard assessments for developments in the planning phase.
• Prepare initial cost estimates for geotechnical investigations and recommend consultants for request for proposal processes and address requests for information during construction
• Collaborate with consultants to define scopes of work for project-specific geotechnical investigations.
• Finalize investigation scope, cost, and schedule prior to contract award.
• Review geotechnical reports for technical accuracy and compliance with project requirements.
• Assess laboratory and field data relevant to foundation design and construction.
• Advise on design parameters including foundation embedment, earthworks, and geohazard considerations.
• Support mergers and acquisitions due diligence concerning potential asset acquisitions.

Project Execution

• Work with AES staff and consultants to develop and review design packages (30%, 60%, 90%, 100%, IFP, and IFC civil, structural, and electrical).
• Document any deviations from project geotechnical recommendations.
• Evaluate design solutions for turbines, solar trackers, energy storage, and related infrastructure.
• Adjust contract specifications as needed to support EPC contract negotiations.

Project Construction and Quality Assurance

• Assist project management and engineering with troubleshooting or alternative remediation plans.
• Conduct site visits and field inspections for foundation, earthwork, and ground stability assessments during construction and operations.
• Carry out safety assessments and site walks to identify workplace hazards.

Asset Management and Operational Support

• Partner with Operations and Maintenance and Asset Management teams on operational troubleshooting and remediation plans.
• Develop solutions for system modifications and resolve geotechnical issues among subcontractors and vendors.
• Perform root cause analyses for geotechnical-related failures.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Serve as a technical resource on geotechnical topics.
• Participate in internal and external meetings.
• Evaluate geotechnical consultants for Master Service Agreement consideration.

Organization Maturity and Innovation

• Mentor staff on new technologies, construction practices, and safety protocols.
• Engage process improvement initiatives.
• Maintain awareness of industry st