Staff Engineer - Geotechnical

French & Parrello Associates; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

French & Parrello Associates (FPA) seeks a Staff Engineer to join its Geotechnical Department across Hackettstown, Wall, or Newark, NJ. This entry-level role develops expertise in soil mechanics and foundation engineering while supporting diverse projects at a fast-growing Northeast firm.

Recognized for Best Places to Work, FPA values mentorship, growth, and hands-on field and office experience, with opportunities to advance into leadership roles within the firm.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering is required.
• EIT certification or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Strong understanding of soil mechanics and foundation engineering principles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; familiarity with geotechnical software is a plus.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to perform fieldwork outdoors.
• Master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and executing geotechnical investigations (borings, test pits, site reconnaissance).
• Log soil and rock samples per industry standards.
• Coordinate laboratory testing of soil and rock materials and review results.
• Perform basic geotechnical analyses under supervision.
• Assist in preparing geotechnical reports with foundation and earthwork recommendations.
• Assist with construction observation and field inspections.
• Collaborate with other disciplines on multi-disciplinary projects.
• Maintain accurate field notes, data records, and project documentation.
• Adhere to safety standards during field activities.

Skills

Soil mechanics

Foundation engineering

Written and verbal communication

Teamwork

Fieldwork readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification or ability to obtain within 6 months

Master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Geotechnical software

Job description

Hackettstown, Wall or Newark, NJ, US French & Parrello Associates (FPA) is seeking a motivated and talented Staff Engineer to join our growing Geotechnical Department in Hackettstown, Wall or Newark, NJ. This is an exciting opportunity for an entry-level engineering professional who wants to develop expertise in soil mechanics and foundation engineering, support diverse projects, and build a long-term career with one of the Northeast’s fastest-growing engineering consulting firms.

Staff Engineer – Geotechnical

Hackettstown, Wall or Newark, NJ, US French & Parrello Associates (FPA) is seeking a motivated and talented Staff Engineer to join our growing Geotechnical Department in Hackettstown, Wall or Newark, NJ. This is an exciting opportunity for an entry-level engineering professional who wants to develop expertise in soil mechanics and foundation engineering, support diverse projects, and build a long-term career with one of the Northeast’s fastest-growing engineering consulting firms.

Recognized year after year as one of NJBIZ’s Best Places to Work in New Jersey, FPA is committed to creating a culture where talented professionals are empowered to grow, collaborate, and succeed. In 2026, FPA was ranked #49 on Zweig’s Hot Firm List, recognizing the firm among the 100 fastest-growing AEC firms in the United States and Canada. Our continued growth is driven by our investment in our people, technical excellence, and commitment to delivering innovative solutions for the communities we serve.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and executing geotechnical field investigations, including soil borings, test pits, and site reconnaissance.
• Log soil and rock samples in accordance with industry standards.
• Coordinate laboratory testing of soil and rock materials and review results.
• Perform basic geotechnical analyses under the supervision of senior engineers.
• Support the preparation of geotechnical reports, including recommendations for foundations, earthwork, and site development.
• Assist with construction observation and field inspections as needed.
• Collaborate with other engineering disciplines on multi-disciplinary projects.
• Maintain accurate field notes, data records, and project documentation.
• Adhere to company safety standards and protocols during field activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field required.
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Strong understanding of soil mechanics and foundation engineering principles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; familiarity with geotechnical software is a plus.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to perform fieldwork, including working outdoors in varying conditions.
• Master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering; Preferred but not required.

Additional Information

• Sponsorship for U.S. employment authorization is not available for this position.
• Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Don't meet every qualification? At FPA, we recognize that great candidates bring diverse experiences and perspectives. If you are excited about this opportunity but do not meet every listed requirement, we encourage you to apply. Your experience may be exactly what we need for this role or another opportunity within our growing team.

The FPA Difference

Large firms offer scale. FPA offers opportunity.

For more than 50 years, French & Parrello Associates (FPA) has been delivering innovative engineering solutions that shape communities, improve infrastructure, and support regional growth. As an employee-owned, mid-sized engineering and consulting firm, FPA combines the technical capabilities and expertise of a larger organization with the collaboration, accessibility, and personal investment of a close-knit team.

At FPA, engineers are empowered to take ownership of their work, collaborate across disciplines, and experience the full project lifecycle. Your career is not defined by one task or limited to one area of expertise. Instead, you will have the opportunity to strengthen your technical skills, work alongside experienced professionals, contribute to meaningful infrastructure projects, and develop the experience needed to grow into future engineering leadership roles.

Our multidisciplinary approach allows team members to see the bigger picture, collaborate with experts across multiple disciplines, and understand how their work impacts the communities we serve. We invest in our people through mentorship, professional development, and opportunities for advancement because we believe the success of our employees drives the continued success of our firm.

At FPA, you are not just designing infrastructure, you are helping build a growing organization while contributing to projects that make a lasting impact.

Benefits

Benefit packages for this role will start on the 1st day of employment and include medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as HSA, FSA, and DCFSA account options, and 401k retirement plans. Employees in this role are also entitled to paid sick leave and/or other paid time off as provided by applicable law.

Compensation

The projected compensation range for this position is $70,000 to $77,000. Actual compensation will depend on factors including experience, education, qualifications, and skill set. FPA recognizes and rewards performance through an annual bonus program.