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Geotechnical Instrumentation Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Geotechnical Engineer II

CO · On-site

$93K - $127K/yr

What You Will Do Lead Geotechnical instrumentation monitoring and data collection. Lead the ... What You Bring To Freeport Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited curriculum ...

Geotechnical Engineer I

CO · On-site

$80K - $110K/yr

What You Will Do Support Geotechnical instrumentation monitoring and data collection. Support the ... What You Bring To Freeport Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited curriculum ...

Lead Geotechnical instrumentation monitoring and data collection. * Lead the operation Geotechnical ... Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited curriculum,withcourses in Soil Mechanics and ...

Support Geotechnical instrumentation monitoring and data collection. * Support the operation ... Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited curriculum,withcourses in Soil Mechanics and ...

The successful incumbent will provide geotechnical engineering services and task execution, and be ... Geotechnical instrumentation planning, installation supervision, monitoring and reporting of ...

The successful incumbent will provide geotechnical engineering services and task execution, and be ... Geotechnical instrumentation planning, installation supervision, monitoring and reporting of ...

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Geotechnical Instrumentation Engineer information

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$40K

$92.9K

$147.5K

How much do geotechnical instrumentation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for geotechnical instrumentation engineer in the United States is $92,871.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,000.00 and $109,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Geotechnical Instrumentation Engineer vs Geotechnical Engineer?

AspectGeotechnical Instrumentation EngineerGeotechnical Engineer
Primary FocusDesign, installation, and maintenance of geotechnical monitoring systemsAssessment, analysis, and design related to soil and rock mechanics
CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications in instrumentation or geotechnical monitoringEngineering degree, often with geotechnical specialization
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, laboratories, monitoring stationsDesign offices, consulting firms, construction sites
Industry UsageHeavy infrastructure, tunneling, dam projectsFoundation design, slope stability, site investigations

While both roles require engineering degrees and work within geotechnical projects, Geotechnical Instrumentation Engineers specialize in monitoring systems to track ground behavior, whereas Geotechnical Engineers focus on analyzing soil and rock properties for design and safety. Understanding these differences helps in selecting the right career path or job role.

What does a Geotechnical Instrumentation Engineer do?

A Geotechnical Instrumentation Engineer specializes in designing, installing, and monitoring instruments that measure changes in soil, rock, and structures during construction or throughout the life of a project. These professionals collect and analyze data on ground movements, water pressure, stress, and other geotechnical parameters to ensure the safety and stability of engineering structures such as tunnels, dams, and foundations. Their work helps detect potential problems early, supports decision-making, and ensures that construction and infrastructure projects comply with safety standards.

What are some common challenges faced by Geotechnical Instrumentation Engineers during site monitoring projects?

Geotechnical Instrumentation Engineers often encounter challenges such as harsh environmental conditions, limited site accessibility, and ensuring the accuracy and reliability of data from installed instruments. Coordinating with construction teams to install and maintain instruments without disrupting ongoing site activities also requires strong communication and planning skills. Additionally, troubleshooting unexpected instrument malfunctions and adapting monitoring strategies to evolving site conditions are typical aspects of the role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Geotechnical Instrumentation Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Geotechnical Instrumentation Engineer, you need a solid background in civil or geotechnical engineering, strong analytical skills, and typically a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with instrumentation tools such as piezometers, inclinometers, data loggers, and software for data analysis and reporting is essential, along with knowledge of industry standards and safety regulations. Excellent problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills are crucial for interpreting data and coordinating with project teams. These competencies ensure accurate monitoring of ground behavior, timely identification of potential hazards, and the successful delivery of safe, data-driven infrastructure projects.
More about Geotechnical Instrumentation Engineer jobs
Infographic showing various Geotechnical Instrumentation Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,871 per year, or $44.6 per hour.
Senior Geotechnical Instrumentation Engineer

Senior Geotechnical Instrumentation Engineer

TERRACON

Plymouth, MN • On-site

$114K - $177K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago


Terracon rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 113 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

41st of 58 rated business consultants


Job description


Lead Complex Instrumentation Solutions with Terracon. Terracon is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Instrumentation Engineer to provide technical leadership and advanced engineering expertise in the design, implementation, and interpretation of geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring programs.
In this role, you will lead engineering and consulting services for a broad array of projects and clients, with a focus on instrumentation-driven design support and performance monitoring. Responsibilities include development of monitoring strategies, advanced data evaluation, and delivery of clear, defensible engineering recommendations that inform design, construction, and risk management decisions.
You will work as part of highly collaborative, multidisciplinary teams on large and often complex projects across Terracon's national footprint. This includes coordinating with engineers, geologists, construction professionals, and national technical resources to deliver integrated instrumentation solutions on major infrastructure, energy, and development projects.
What You'll Lead & Deliver
  • Lead the design and implementation of geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring programs (e.g., vibrating wire piezometers, inclinometers, extensometers, settlement systems, automated monitoring platforms).
  • Develop project-specific monitoring strategies to address construction risks, performance verification, and long-term monitoring objectives.
  • Perform advanced engineering analysis of instrumentation data, including trend evaluation, threshold development, and interpretation of complex behavior.
  • Provide technical oversight for instrumentation installation, construction observation, and system performance verification.
  • Prepare and review detailed technical reports summarizing findings, performance trends, and engineering recommendations.
  • Serve as a technical expert supporting large-scale projects requiring instrumentation-driven decision-making.
  • Collaborate across offices and disciplines to deliver consistent, high-quality instrumentation services on national projects.
  • Support proposal development, including scopes of work, budgets, and technical approaches for complex instrumentation programs.

This role can be offered as remote, in-person, or hybrid
Responsibilities
  • Lead safety efforts and promote a strong safety culture across all projects; ensure adherence to safety standards and pre-task planning.
  • Provide leadership for quality management, ensuring consistency and excellence in instrumentation program design, data interpretation, and reporting.
  • Serve as a senior-level engineering professional responsible for complex and specialized project assignments.
  • Plan, schedule, and direct engineering work involving instrumentation on projects of moderate to large scale and complexity.
  • Provide technical direction and mentoring to junior engineers and project staff.
  • Review and approve instrumentation-related analyses, reports, and recommendations.
  • Evaluate complex field and instrumentation data for inclusion in engineering analyses and reports.
  • Interact directly with clients and project teams to define scope, communicate project progress, and present findings.
  • Support and lead multidisciplinary collaboration across multiple Terracon offices and project teams.
  • Participate in marketing, business development, and client relationship management.
  • Supervise junior engineering staff.
  • Serve as (or work toward) a Terracon Authorized Project Reviewer (APR) and provide technical review consistent with APR standards.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Civil, Geotechnical, Geological, or related Engineering field.
  • Minimum 8-11+ years of experience in geotechnical engineering, including significant experience in instrumentation and monitoring.
  • Professional Engineer (PE) registration required.
  • Demonstrated experience designing and implementing instrumentation programs for construction and performance monitoring.
  • Strong expertise in interpreting complex instrumentation datasets and translating findings into engineering recommendations.
  • Proven ability to lead technical efforts on large or complex projects.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to communicate complex issues to diverse audiences.
  • Valid driver's license with acceptable violation history.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or related field.
  • Experience with automated data acquisition systems, remote monitoring platforms, and real-time dashboards.
  • Experience supporting major infrastructure projects (e.g., deep excavations, embankments, dams, pipelines, solar developments).
  • Progress toward or attainment of Terracon Authorized Project Reviewer (APR) status.

About Us
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.
About the Team
Innovation and hands-on practice come together in our geotechnical consulting services. We provide geotechnical services nationwide for a wide range of projects, drawing on six decades of historical geotechnical data, a fleet of more than 200 drill rigs, 140 accredited laboratories, and thousands of employees to quickly organize or capture site data wherever projects are located. From AI-supported solutions and predictive technologies to geophysics and traditional exploration, we deliver precision, value-added subsurface information and engineering and scientific expertise to solving our clients' challenges and achieve their goals for project sustainability, quality, and efficiency.

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