Senior Geotechnical Engineer: Renewable Energy Foundations

AES Corporation; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 108,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) eligibility

Paid time off

Life insurance

Job summary

AES Corporation is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to provide expert support across wind, PV, and battery storage projects from development through operations. You will guide foundation design, risk assessment, and cost estimation while coordinating with consultants and AES teams on scalable geotechnical solutions.

The role requires deep knowledge of soil mechanics, project execution, and QA/QC for large-scale renewable energy facilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Geotechnical, or Geological Engineering.
• At least 6 years of progressive experience in geotechnical engineering design, analysis, and construction support.
• Minimum 2 years' experience with PV solar, wind, battery energy storage, and high-voltage facility design.
• Field experience on large-scale civil/geotechnical projects, including geotechnical QA/QC and construction oversight.

Responsibilities

• 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 RFPs and address RFIs 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.
• Work with AES staff and consultants to develop and review design packages (30%, 60%, 90%, 100%, IFP, and IFC).
• Document deviations from project geotechnical recommendations.
• Evaluate design solutions for turbines, solar trackers, energy storage, and related infrastructure.
• Adjust contract specifications to support EPC negotiations.
• Assist project management and engineering with troubleshooting or 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.
• 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.
• Serve as a technical resource on geotechnical topics.
• Participate in internal and external meetings.
• Evaluate geotechnical consultants for Master Service Agreement consideration.
• Mentor staff on new technologies, construction practices, and safety protocols.
• Engage process improvement initiatives.
• Maintain awareness of industry standards and emerging geotechnical technologies.
• Support innovation with reviews related to structural design.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Soil mechanics

Foundation design

Project management

MS Office

AutoCAD

Bluebeam

Spanish language proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil, Geotechnical, or Geological Engineering

Tools

LPILE

MFAD

Slope/W

Plaxis

FLAC

SIGMA/W

Job description

AES Corporation is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to provide expert support across wind, PV, and battery storage projects from development through operations. You will guide foundation design, risk assessment, and cost estimation while coordinating with consultants and AES teams on scalable geotechnical solutions.

The role requires deep knowledge of soil mechanics, project execution, and QA/QC for large-scale renewable energy facilities.