Sr Geotechnical Engineer

HDR, Inc.; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR, Inc. seeks a Senior Geotechnical Engineer in Orlando to drive geotechnical design and construction activities on a major infrastructure program.

The role emphasizes compliance with transportation standards and technical leadership across planning, design, and construction. The incumbent will coordinate with CEI teams, client staff, and district engineers to provide timely input, support field operations, and resolve geotechnical issues, QA, and risk reduction through practical design

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years geotechnical engineering experience.
• Strong knowledge of geotechnical principles, foundation systems, and soil behavior.
• Familiarity with FDOT standards, specifications, and testing procedures.
• Ability to interpret construction documents and technical data.
• Strong communication and coordination skills in a field environment.
• Ability to work independently while supporting a broader team.

Responsibilities

• Review geotechnical design submittals (plans, reports, calculations) for compliance with standards.
• Provide field support during installation of geotechnical elements.
• Coordinate and review geotechnical testing activities.
• Assist in evaluating test results and supporting recommendations for foundation performance.
• Interface with client Materials Office and project stakeholders; support QA.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Field coordination

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering

Job description

Overview

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected. This role describes the culture, inclusion, and impact the organization seeks to achieve through its work.

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible in your community and around the world.

Position

HDR is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to play a key role in the delivery of a $3-$5 billion infrastructure project. The position will be instrumental in ensuring compliance with transportation standards while providing technical leadership across all phases of the project, including planning, design, and construction.

The Senior Geotechnical Engineer supports geotechnical elements of projects across our client\'s systems through different phases, including planning, design and construction. This role works closely with the Materials Operation Engineer, the client\'s Geotechnical Engineer Lead, other districts DGEs, CEI teams, and project staff to provide timely technical input, support field operations, and help resolve geotechnical issues and emergencies.

The role focuses on practical application of geotechnical engineering in both design and construction environments, contributing to quality assurance, risk reduction, and alignment between design intent, applicable codes and standards, and field execution.

Core Responsibilities

1. Geotechnical Support to Design
   • Review geotechnical design submittals (plans, reports, calculations) for compliance with standards
   • Provide comments on shop drawings and geotechnical-related design elements to support constructability
   • Assist in review of geotechnical scope elements and identify potential risks or gaps early in design
   • Support evaluation of cost saving initiatives and alternative technical concepts
2. Construction Support & Field Oversight
   • Provide field support during installation of geotechnical elements
   • Assist CEI staff with interpretation of plans, specs, and geotechnical requirements
   • Participate in or support pre-construction and pre-operation meetings to clarify expectations
   • Observe field activities and identify non-conformance or potential issues
3. Testing, Evaluation & Documentation
   • Coordinate and review geotechnical testing activities
   • Review foundation logs, installation records, and certification packages for completeness and accuracy
   • Assist in evaluating test results and supporting recommendations for foundation performance
4. Quality Assurance & Issue Resolution
   • Support geotechnical QA efforts through field reviews, documentation checks, and coordination with CEI
   • Identify and help resolve geotechnical issues encountered during construction
   • Assist in evaluating non-conformance issues and recommending corrective actions
   • Provide technical input on geotechnical-related claims or disputes
5. Coordination & Program Support
   • Coordinate with geotechnical subconsultants, testing firms, and laboratories
   • Interface with client Materials Office and project stakeholders
   • Support consistent communication across design, construction, and materials teams
   • Contribute to improving geotechnical processes, documentation, and field practices

Key Outputs

• Clear, actionable geotechnical review comments
• Evaluated test results with supporting recommendations
• Field observations and QA documentation
• Timely technical input that supports design development and construction progress and reduces risk

Key Outputs (What This Role Produces)

• Clear, actionable geotechnical review comments
• Evaluated test results with supporting recommendations
• Field observations and QA documentation
• Timely technical input that supports design development and construction progress and reduces risk

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years of geotechnical engineering experience
• Working knowledge of geotechnical principles, foundation systems, and soil behavior
• Familiarity with FDOT standards, specifications, and testing procedures
• Ability to interpret construction documents and technical data
• Strong communication and coordination skills in a field environment
• Ability to work independently while supporting a broader team structure
• Practical problem-solving mindset focused on constructability and risk reduction

Work Environment

• Field-based role with frequent travel across project sites