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Geological Engineer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Ayres Associates

Geotechnical Engineer

Saint Paul, MN · On-site

$135K - $198K/yr

Ayres' team of national dam safety experts is seeking a senior geotechnical/geological engineer with a proven track record of managing and successfully executing dam rehabilitation and dam analysis ...

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Geological Engineer information

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$67.6K

$73.5K

$77.9K

How much do geological engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for geological engineer in Minnesota is $73,455.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,000.00 and $75,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a geological engineer?

As a geological engineer, you find mineral deposits and other natural resources to extract. Your job duties include designing structures like mines and tunnels. You also inspect the geological conditions of mining sites to ensure safety. You’re responsible for implementing action plans to minimize the negative environmental impact of mining and exploration activities and leading proper erosion control, water maintenance, and waste disposal efforts.

What does a geological engineer do?

A Geological Engineer applies principles of geology and engineering to solve problems related to earth materials and processes. They are involved in the exploration and evaluation of mineral resources, design of foundations for structures, assessment of natural hazards like landslides or earthquakes, and environmental protection. Geological Engineers work on projects such as mining, tunneling, dam construction, and site remediation, ensuring safety and sustainability. Their work often includes field studies, laboratory analysis, and using specialized software for modeling and analysis.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a geological engineer?

To thrive as a Geological Engineer, you need a solid background in geology, mathematics, and engineering principles, typically backed by a bachelor's degree in geological or geotechnical engineering. Familiarity with GIS software, geological modeling tools, and industry-specific certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) licensure is often required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, and effective communication are vital soft skills in this role. These skills ensure accurate site assessments, safe project designs, and successful collaboration with multidisciplinary teams in challenging environments.

What are some typical challenges geological engineers face when working on field projects?

Geological Engineers often encounter challenges such as unpredictable weather conditions, difficult terrain, and limited accessibility to remote sites during fieldwork. They must adapt to changing project requirements and ensure that all safety protocols are followed while collecting geological data. Additionally, coordinating with multidisciplinary teams—such as environmental scientists, civil engineers, and regulatory agencies—requires strong communication and project management skills to keep projects on track and compliant with industry standards.

What is the difference between Geological Engineer vs Geotechnical Engineer?

AspectGeological EngineerGeotechnical Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in geology or geological engineering; often requires licensureBachelor's in civil or geological engineering; often requires licensure
Work EnvironmentField sites, exploration, environmental assessmentsConstruction sites, foundation design, soil testing
Industry UsageMining, environmental consulting, resource explorationConstruction, infrastructure, foundation engineering

Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and licensure, but Geological Engineers focus on understanding Earth's processes and resource exploration, while Geotechnical Engineers specialize in soil and foundation stability for construction projects.

Are geological engineers in demand?

Geological engineers are in demand due to ongoing needs in natural resource exploration, environmental protection, and infrastructure development. Employment opportunities are expected to grow as industries seek expertise in assessing geological hazards and sustainable resource management, often requiring skills in GIS and geotechnical analysis.

How much do geological engineers make in the US?

Geological engineers in the US typically earn a median annual salary of around $90,000 to $100,000, with experienced professionals and those working in specialized fields earning higher. Salaries can vary based on location, education, experience, and industry sector, such as mining, environmental consulting, or oil and gas exploration.
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Geological Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Geological Engineer job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,455 per year, or $35.3 per hour.

Geotechnical Engineer

Ayres Associates Inc

Saint Paul, MN

$135K - $198K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

Ayres’ team of national dam safety experts is seeking a senior geotechnical/geological engineer with a proven track record of managing and successfully executing dam rehabilitation and dam analysis projects, particularly for dams regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This position desires an entrepreneurial mindset to support our growing national practice in FERC Part 12D inspections, comprehensive assessments with risk analyses, and dam rehabilitation projects.

The successful candidate will be a registered professional engineer in geotechnical/geological engineering (civil in states not having a separate geotechnical/geological engineering registration) and have demonstrated expertise in completing saturated and unsaturated slope stability analyses, seepage analyses, settlement and crest deformation analyses, seismic and static liquefaction screening analyses, filter compatibility checks, bearing capacity analyses, and other similar advanced geotechnical computations.

Join Ayres – a USA TODAY Top Workplace recognized in both 2025 and 2026 – where people-first leadership, collaboration, and professional growth create an environment where great teams do their best work.

On any given day, you’ll:

  • Take the lead in identifying marketing opportunities and work collaboratively to win projects from utilities with FERC hydropower licenses, especially risk assessments and Part 12D related work.
  • Manage projects, oversee design and production of plans and specifications, and ensure that the work is produced on schedule, profitably, and in conformance with the quality standards of Ayres.
  • Build and maintain respectful working relationships with Project Managers and other leaders within the company.
  • Support and participate in the development and mentorship of staff.
  • Actively engage in professional organizations.

Required Qualifications:

  • A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering (geotechnical or geological engineering emphasis) from an accredited university is the minimum requirement.  A master’s degree in geotechnical/geological engineering is preferred.
  • Registered professional engineer (PE) in a US state with ability to become licensed by comity in multiple states where Ayres has offices.
  • A minimum of 10 years of experience in the field of geotechnical/geological engineering.  Previous experience in completing designs and submitting approved analyses for dams at FERC projects is highly desirable.
  • Ability to independently manage projects with budgets of 250 to 2000 hours of engineering time.
  • Working knowledge of FERC, US Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and similar industry standards for geotechnical analyses of dam and spillway structures. 
  • Experience providing geotechnical engineering support for structural design.
  • Proficient in GeoStudio SLOPE/W and SEEP/W, or other industry-standard slope stability and seepage modeling tools.
  • Experience overseeing geotechnical field exploration and laboratory testing programs, especially for embankment dams.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
  • Proven communication skills, including great client relationships and a willingness to market services to internal and external clients.
  • A valid driver’s license and good driving record. 

Desired Skills and Experiences:

  • A professional geologist registration and experience with dam foundations in various terrains.
  • Experience participating in FERC PFMA and L2RA workshops.
  • Experience establishing mutually respectful, collaborative relationships with utility owners, contractors, and staff representing the FERC Division of Dam Safety.
  • Located within commuting distance of Ayres’ Eau Claire, Green Bay, Roseville, Madison, Fort Collins, or Waukesha offices.

Benefits of being part of the Ayres team: 

  • Health, dental, and vision Insurance.
  • Short and long-term disability and life insurance.
  • Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) and 401K with company match.
  • PTO, paid holidays including two floating holidays, and a flexible work schedule.
  • Professional development opportunities.

Please note, benefits vary depending on job status. To learn more about our great benefits, visit our website at https://www.ayresassociates.com/careers/the-ayres-advantage/

Our good-faith compensation approach is fair and equitable, and takes into consideration only permissible factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, training, skills, and experience, and geographic location where the work is performed. A salary range for this posting is $135000 - $198000. The foregoing salary range represents what the company believes, in good-faith, it will pay for the posted opportunity. The individual selected for this role will be evaluated with the compensation factors in mind and placed appropriately.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer