Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Socket.dev; Wexford (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP USA in Wexford, PA is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to lead geotechnical design and project delivery across multiple sectors. You will manage field investigations, develop reports, and mentor junior staff while coordinating with clients and regulatory agencies.

The role requires a civil engineering degree with geotechnical focus and 5–7 years of experience; travel to project sites is expected, and you must pass WSP’s motor vehicle screening.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with a focus on geotechnical practice.
• 5 to 7 years of experience working as a geotechnical engineer.
• Knowledge of engineering research techniques and protocols.
• Ability to coordinate with clients, colleagues, and third-party groups and understand requirements.
• Analytical mindset, detail oriented, and experience with geological research techniques.
• Proficient with technical writing and communication software.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team; travel to project sites.

Responsibilities

• Act as design engineer and manage projects, with an emphasis on geotechnical engineering, design, and geohazard identification and monitoring.
• Prepare geotechnical recommendations reports.
• Develop construction plans, specifications, and cost estimates; coordinating with owners, other disciplines, and clients.
• Prepare data and visualizations for interpretation of data and analyses.
• Interact with regulatory agencies, subcontractors, clients, drillers, and laboratory staff.
• Provide technical direction and mentorship to junior staff.
• Engage in client meetings, progress reports, and proposals; support regional programs.
• Ensure compliance with safety guidelines and company policies; pass motor vehicle screening.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Project management

Client coordination

Technical writing

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering (geotechnical)

Tools

Geotechnical software

Microsoft Office

Job description

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Senior Geotechnical Engineer for our Wexford, PA office. Candidate will be involved in projects with our Geotechnical Engineering Team as part of the Earth & Environment Group. This position will include opportunities on a variety of projects such as linear alignments for pipelines, transportation corridors, dams, mining, and infrastructure. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated education, engineering, and management experience in geotechnical projects across the United States with a focus on the Appalachian Basin. This senior position provides an opportunity to join a fast‑paced team that provides solutions on geological, civil, and geotechnical engineering projects. The work entails a variety of office‑related tasks including engineering and project management, and outdoor “hands‑on” activities, with a need to deliver and adhere to a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, safety, accuracy, and functionality.

Your Impact

• Act as design engineer and manage projects, with an emphasis on geotechnical engineering, design, and geohazard identification and monitoring.
• Work with cross‑functional teams on engineering projects that involve multiple sectors, fields, clients, regulators, and project sites.
• Prepare documents and review those prepared by junior staff, including engineering drawings, specifications, work plans, calculations, and cost estimates.
• Scope, budget, execute, and interpret field work, reconnaissance, geotechnical instrumentation, and subsurface explorations, with senior technical advice and review.
• Perform professional geotechnical engineering work and conduct research and inspections of proposed and existing site conditions, including subsurface investigations, soil foundation engineering, settlement analysis, soil erosion, lateral earth pressures, geological hazards, earth retention, and slope stability, foundations, construction, or operating permits for oil and gas, commercial, industrial, building, environmental, infrastructure, and transportation projects.
• Prepare geotechnical recommendations reports.
• Develop construction plans, specifications, and cost estimates; preparing construction safety and phasing plans that require coordination with owners, other disciplines, sub‑consultants, and clients.
• Prepare data and visualizations such as tables, charts, accurate reports, sketches, calculations, and illustrations for the interpretation or presentation of data, findings, or analyses.
• Interact with regulatory agencies, subcontractors, clients, drillers, and laboratory staff, in a confident and professional manner.
• Remain current in latest geotechnical engineering techniques and practices.
• Provide technical direction, oversight, mentoring, and training to junior‑level staff in all aspects of project delivery.
• Interact with clients, including preparation for and participation in meetings, preparation of progress reports, proposals, and other correspondence, responding to client requests, and maintaining positive relationships.
• Support national and regional client programs for the various sectors through active participation with appropriate national and global technical teams.
• Contribute to the development and execution of business plans related to the growth of our sector services; provide market and industry insight and facilitate development of marketing strategies.
• Participate in identification of regional technical needs and recruiting for these skills in collaboration with senior colleagues.
• Oversee equipment/tool performance, calibration, troubleshooting of malfunctions, and inventory control.
• Comply with safety guidelines and client/site‑specific procedures which may include safely plans, PPE, the maintenance of sample collection, location data, laboratory documentation, and logbooks.
• Complete training on assigned tasks.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision‑making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with a focus on geotechnical practice.
• 5 to 7 years of experience working as a geotechnical engineer.
• Knowledge of engineering research techniques and protocols.
• Ability to coordinate with clients, colleagues, and third‑party groups and understand requirements.
• Analytical mindset, detail oriented, and experience with geological research techniques required.
• Possess computer skills and have experience with computer software including Microsoft Office and geotechnical specialty software.
• Possess competent interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to a professional and non‑professional audience.
• Proficient self‑leadership with attention to detail, multi‑tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
• Ability to work independently under general supervision, as well as part of a team to meet business objectives.
• Proficiency with technical writing, office automation and communication software, technology, and tools.
• Ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to be comfortable in remote settings and a willingness to perform a variety of tasks as needed to complete an assignment.
• Local and potential national travel including project sites.
• Must successfully complete and pass WSP’s Motor Vehicle screening.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in geotechnical engineering.
• Professional Licensure/Certification in Appalachian States or ability to receive comity.
• Experience with geomorphology and surface processes.
• Project management skills with experience leading teams on complex or multi‑project programs.
• Client focus with experience in client management and effective project/program delivery skills.
• Possess strong verbal communication, writing, analytical, and organizational skills combined with a positive attitude and an ability to work both independently and within groups, including with technical peers across the company, client contacts, and subcontractors.
• Various state Department of Transportation experience with a focus on PennDOT (District 11), ODOT and/ or WVDOH.
• A member of and/or actively participate in local professional practice organizations.

About WSP

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.

www.wsp.com

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.