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Geological Engineer Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Principal Geologist

Seattle, WA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

You'll wear multiple hats, working directly with our engineering teams to translate geological insights into actionable deployment strategies while also getting your hands dirty with field operations ...

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Geological Engineer information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$78.5K

$85.3K

$90.5K

How much do geological engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for geological engineer in Seattle, WA is $85,350.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,500.00 and $88,200.00 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Geological Engineer, and why are they important?

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.

Are geological engineers in demand?

Geological engineers are in steady demand due to their expertise in assessing natural hazards, resource extraction, and environmental protection. Employment opportunities are often found in consulting firms, government agencies, and energy companies, with a need for skills in fieldwork, data analysis, and geotechnical modeling.

What do you do as a geological engineer?

A geological engineer applies principles of geology and engineering to assess earth materials, design foundations, and evaluate natural hazards for construction and resource extraction projects. They often work with subsurface investigations, use tools like GIS and drilling equipment, and require knowledge of environmental regulations. Their work supports safe infrastructure development and resource management.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High-paying engineering positions often require advanced degrees, professional certifications, and work in high-demand industries or executive-level positions.

What engineers make $500,000?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum engineering, aerospace engineering, and certain senior roles in software or data engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually. These positions often require advanced skills, extensive experience, and sometimes leadership or executive responsibilities.

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 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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Geological Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA? The most popular types of Geological Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA are:
What are popular job titles related to Geological Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA? For Geological Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Geological Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Geological Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA are:
What cities near Seattle, WA are hiring for Geological Engineer jobs? Cities near Seattle, WA with the most Geological Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Geological Engineer job openings in Seattle, WA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,350 per year, or $41 per hour.
Environmental Site Investigation & Remediation Geologist/Engineer

Environmental Site Investigation & Remediation Geologist/Engineer

TERRACON

Mountlake Terrace, WA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago


Terracon rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 119 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

48th of 73 rated business consultants


Job description

Are you an exceptional Environmental Site Investigation/Remediation (SI/REM) Geologist / Engineer Professional looking for an opportunity to grow and expand your career and lead the growth and expansion of our Seattle Team?  Do you want to work for a well-established, nationwide company with an excellent reputation for taking care of its employee-owners while providing excellent professional growth potential?  If you answered Yes, come "Explore with us" and start your journey as a Project Geologist / Engineer in our Seattle Washington office! 
This position is based out of our Mountlake Terrace, WA office and will work on projects with a diverse client base in both public and private sectors, working with commercial, industrial, government, property development, and institutional market entities. 

General Responsibilities:
We are seeking an Environmental Project Geologist / Engineer to support environmental site characterization and remediation efforts. The ideal candidate will have expertise in the scoping and preparation of Remedial Investigations and Feasibility Studies (RI/FS), development of Conceptual Site Models, Cleanup Action Plans (CAPs), Work Plans and other Remedial/Engineering Design Reports, Washington State regulatory cleanup programs (VCP/PLIA TAP), and monitoring remedial systems performance. This role focuses on conducting detailed site investigations and developing and implementing remedial action plans in accordance with the Washington State's Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) regulations to support environmental compliance and site closure. 

Terracon is a 100 percent employee-owned multidiscipline consulting firm comprised of more than 8,000 curious minds focused on solving engineering and technical challenges from more than 200 locations nationwide. Since 1965, Terracon has evolved into a successful multi-discipline firm specializing in environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services. Terracon's growth is due to our talented employee-owners exceeding expectations in client service and growing their careers with new and exciting opportunities in the marketplace. Terracon was recognized as the #1 firm in Asbestos and Lead Abatement.

Terracon's vision of "Together, we are best at people" is demonstrated through our excellent compensation and benefits package. Based on eligibility, role and job status, we offer many programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, paid time off and holidays, education reimbursement, and various bonus programs.
Our national environmental team helps our clients do the right thing for their projects, and for our planet. Our professionals include environmental architects, archaeologists, biologists, engineers, geologists, historians, industrial hygienists, planners, and scientists. Working together in the field, office, or lab, we help guide clients through the steps and processes to address environmental challenges and move their projects forward as quickly, safely, and sustainably as possible. With services including site assessment, planning and permitting including cultural and natural resources, sustainability and resiliency, regulatory compliance, and industrial hygiene and safety, we're at the forefront of helping clients succeed and communities thrive.
  • Bachelor's degree in Geology, Hydrogeology or related field and a minimum of 10 years' related experience.

  • A valid driver's license with acceptable violation history.
  • Ability to obtain registration as a Licensed Geologist (LG) required.
  • If Environmental Engineer, must have registration as Professional Engineer (PE).
  • Demonstrated high level of technical writing ability. Must provide authored technical documents upon request.
  • Strong organizational skills, verbal and written communication.

In this role, you will work closely with the Environmental Department Manager and Remediation Group Manager, supervising SI/REM projects and teams to ensure that all work is completed on time, within budget, and meets our clients' expectations.

  • Career level, fully competent Geologist/Engineer responsible for planning, scheduling, conducting or coordinating detailed phases of work for part of a major project or total of a project of moderate scope and complexity.
  • Collaborate with the team to prepare winning proposals for projects involving standard site investigation, site characterization, and remediation opportunities.
  • Manages scope, schedule, and budget for projects ranging from due diligence subsurface investigations to complex cleanups, monitors activities, and allocates resources to ensure client objectives are met.
  • Projects may include cleanup sites under PLIA's TAP and/or Ecology's VCP programs, simple to complex site characterization and remediation projects, media management plans and waste characterization support during site redevelopment, simple to complex UST/fuel station cleanup projects, simple to complex soil vapor and indoor assessments, groundwater remediation systems, and other similar industry projects. 
  • Collaborate with the team in the scoping and preparation of Remedial Investigations and Feasibility Studies (RI/FS), development of Conceptual Site Models, Corrective Action Plans (CAPs), Remedial Action Plans (RAPs), Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) applications, and monitoring remedial systems performance.
  • Partners with other departments and offices to secure specialized resources for projects.
  • Conducts project meetings and prepares reports to communicate the status of a project.
  • Coordinates financial management of business intelligence, invoicing, and collections with accounting. 
  • Develops an understanding, and is aware of, project-related risks and associated risk mitigation.  Knows Company risk management policies. 
  • Career level, fully competent professional responsible for the planning, designing, scheduling, implementing, and managing technical scopes of work related to advanced site characterization methods.
  • Leads development of proposals and scopes of work for complex site investigations to assess soil, groundwater, soil vapor, and indoor air sampling for sites impacted by organic and inorganic contaminants. Uses innovative investigative techniques to complete work.  
  • Designs, documents, and supervises the installation of remediation systems (soil, groundwater, and vapor) and operation and maintenance (O&M) of remediation systems and provides supervision and technical support to team implementing work.
  • Applies standard practices and techniques in specific situations, adjusts and correlates data, recognizes discrepancies in results, and follow operations through a series of related detailed steps or processes. 
  • Follow safety rules, guidelines and standards for all projects.  Participate in pre-task planning.  Report any safety issues or concerns to management.
  • Serve as a team leader in medium projects and mentor junior level Geologists.
  • May attend on and off-site client meetings.
  • Implements technical requirements to complete client projects by directing and supervising field staff to sample, test and collect data and/or document site activities.

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