Staff Geotechnical Engineer

Actalent; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Life Insurance

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Staff Geotechnical Engineer in Birmingham, AL, to provide expert geotechnical analyses and field oversight for foundations, slopes, and earth retention systems. You will develop investigation plans, manage budgets, and coordinate with engineering teams to deliver high‑quality reports and solutions.

The role combines office modeling with active field work, requiring proficient use of geotechnical software, strong communication with clients, and the ability to handle multiple

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, or Geology
• 0 to 4 years of professional geotechnical experience
• EIT or GIT certification in Alabama or ability to obtain within 6 months
• Hands‑on or academic background in geotechnical engineering principles including foundations, slope stability, settlement, earth retention
• Proficiency with geotechnical modeling software and soil mechanics understanding
• Strong client‑facing communication with technical and non‑technical stakeholders
• Experience with ASTM standards related to geotechnical and materials testing

Responsibilities

• Perform geotechnical analyses for shallow and deep foundations, slope stability, settlement and earth retention
• Develop project lifecycles with investigation plans and scopes of work
• Manage project budgets and schedules to meet milestones
• Lead field activities such as borehole logging and drilling oversight
• Observe earthwork and foundation placement for design compliance
• Support materials testing and inspections per ASTM standards
• Use geotechnical modeling software to evaluate soil behavior
• Prepare and coauthor geotechnical reports with clear recommendations
• Communicate findings to clients, contractors, and teams
• Manage multiple projects and coordinate with colleagues to meet deadlines

Skills

Geotechnical analyses

Field leadership

Client communication

Project management

Team collaboration

ASTM standards knowledge

Software modeling tools

Calculations & interpretation

Foundations & earth retention

Report writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or Geotechnical

EIT or GIT certification (Alabama)

Job description

Job Title: Staff Geotechnical Engineer

Job Description

The Staff Geotechnical Engineer provides technical expertise in geotechnical analysis, design, and field investigations while supporting project management and client delivery. This role combines office-based engineering work with field leadership to develop practical, constructible solutions for foundations, slopes, earth retention systems, and related geotechnical challenges. You will contribute to comprehensive technical reports, collaborate closely with structural engineers and project teams, and help ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to high quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex geotechnical engineering analyses and calculations for shallow and deep foundations, slope stability, settlement, and earth retention systems.
• Develop project lifecycles, including creating investigation plans, defining scopes of work, and coordinating technical tasks.
• Manage project budgets and schedules, monitoring progress and ensuring adherence to delivery milestones and client requirements.
• Lead and conduct field activities such as borehole logging, overseeing drilling operations, and verifying that subsurface data is accurate and reliable.
• Observe earthwork and foundation placement in the field to confirm compliance with design specifications and standards.
• Support construction materials testing and inspection activities in accordance with relevant ASTM standards and project requirements.
• Use geotechnical modeling software to evaluate soil behavior, material properties, and design performance under various loading conditions.
• Prepare and coauthor comprehensive geotechnical reports that clearly present findings, analyses, and formal recommendations for clients and structural engineers.
• Communicate effectively with clients, contractors, and internal teams to explain technical concepts, discuss findings, and address project issues.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks and coordinating with colleagues to meet deadlines and maintain high-quality deliverables.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, or Geology.
• 0 to 4 years of professional experience in geotechnical engineering.
• EIT (Engineer-in-Training) or GIT (Geologist-in-Training) certification in the State of Alabama, or the ability to obtain certification within 6 months.
• Hands‑on experience or academic background in geotechnical engineering principles, including foundations, slope stability, settlement, and earth retention.
• Ability to perform geotechnical engineering calculations and interpret subsurface investigation data.
• Knowledge of construction materials testing and construction inspection practices.
• Familiarity with ASTM standards related to geotechnical and materials testing.
• Proficiency with geotechnical modeling software and a solid understanding of soil mechanics and material properties.
• Strong client‑facing communication skills, with the ability to explain technical information clearly to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, organize work effectively, and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Master’s degree specializing in Geotechnical Engineering is highly desirable.
• Any type of Master’s degree, including technical disciplines or an MBA, is considered a strong asset.
• Experience with borehole logging and oversight of drilling operations.
• background in foundation observation and earthwork inspection.
• Strong professional ethics and a commitment to high‑quality engineering practice.
• Interest in long‑term career growth within geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing.
• Ability to build positive working relationships and contribute to mentoring and knowledge sharing within the team.

Work Environment

This role is based in Birmingham, Alabama, within a nationally recognized geotechnical and testing engineering firm that has operated for over four decades. The organization focuses on geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing with special inspections, offering a blend of office-based analytical work and field-based investigations and observations. You will work with modern geotechnical modeling tools, construction materials testing equipment, and standardized procedures aligned with ASTM and industry best practices. The culture emphasizes professional growth, technical excellence, and strong mentoring relationships, with a clear goal of helping associates build successful, long‑term careers. The environment values motivated, hardworking individuals who take initiative and enjoy collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. Employees receive competitive compensation, 401(k) with matching, health and dental insurance, cell phone reimbursement, and paid holidays, vacation, and personal time off.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Birmingham, AL.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $26.44 - $36.05/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Birmingham,AL. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 28, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.