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Graduate Geotechnical Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

WSP

Associate Geotechnical Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

... combinations of graduate level degree and experience. Candidate is expected to have basic ... Bachelor's Degree in Geotechnical Engineering, or closely related discipline (or equivalent ...

TERRACON

Geotechnical Project Engineer

Columbus, GA · On-site

Provide geotechnical engineering and consulting services for a broad array of projects and clients ... Supervise graduate, field and project engineering staff. * Work under the supervision of a Terracon ...

TERRACON

Geotechnical Project Engineer

Columbus, GA · On-site

Provide geotechnical engineering and consulting services for a broad array of projects and clients ... Supervise graduate, field and project engineering staff. * Work under the supervision of a Terracon ...

GeoEngineers

Staff Geotechnical Engineers

Cary, NC · On-site

$104.31K/yr

Manage small projects under the supervision of a certified professional engineer or scientist as ... Completion of coursework (at either an undergraduate or graduate level) covering soil mechanics and ...

Geoengineers Inc

Staff Geotechnical Engineers

Cary, NC · On-site

$104.31K/yr

Manage small projects under the supervision of a certified professional engineer or scientist as ... Completion of coursework (at either an undergraduate or graduate level) covering soil mechanics and ...

Dewberry

Geotechnical Staff Engineer

Bloomfield, NJ

Whether you're an experienced professional or a new graduate, you'll have the chance to collaborate ... MS in Geotechnical Engineering preferred or in progress) * Ideal experience would 3-5 years of ...

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Graduate Geotechnical Engineer information

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$40K

$92.9K

$147.5K

How much do graduate geotechnical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate geotechnical 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Graduate Geotechnical Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate Geotechnical Engineer, you need a solid understanding of soil mechanics, geology, and civil engineering principles, usually supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as AutoCAD, PLAXIS, and geotechnical data analysis tools, as well as basic knowledge of laboratory and field testing methods, is essential. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication make candidates stand out in this role. These skills and qualifications are crucial for delivering reliable ground investigations, supporting safe design decisions, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams on construction projects.

What are some typical projects a Graduate Geotechnical Engineer might work on during their first year?

As a Graduate Geotechnical Engineer, you can expect to be involved in a variety of projects, such as site investigations, soil and rock analysis, foundation design, and slope stability assessments. Entry-level engineers often assist with fieldwork, laboratory testing, data analysis, and report preparation under the supervision of senior engineers. This hands-on experience helps build a strong foundation in geotechnical principles, teamwork, and project management, while also exposing you to different sectors like infrastructure, energy, and construction.

What does a Graduate Geotechnical Engineer do?

A Graduate Geotechnical Engineer is an entry-level engineering professional who specializes in studying the behavior of earth materials, such as soil and rock, and their interaction with structures. They assist in site investigations, laboratory testing, data analysis, and the design of foundations, slopes, tunnels, and retaining walls. Working under the supervision of senior engineers, they help ensure that construction projects are safe, stable, and environmentally sustainable. Their work often involves both office-based analysis and fieldwork at construction or project sites.

What is the difference between Graduate Geotechnical Engineer vs Civil Engineer?

AspectGraduate Geotechnical EngineerCivil Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Geotechnical Engineering or related field; some internshipsBachelor's in Civil Engineering; may include specialization
Work EnvironmentSite investigations, soil testing labs, design officesConstruction sites, design offices, project management
Industry UsageSpecialized in geotechnical analysis, soil mechanicsBroader civil projects including structures, transportation, water

The main difference is that Graduate Geotechnical Engineers focus specifically on soil and foundation analysis, while Civil Engineers have a broader scope covering various infrastructure projects. Both roles often require similar educational backgrounds but differ in specialization and daily tasks.

More about Graduate Geotechnical Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Graduate Geotechnical Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Graduate Geotechnical Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Graduate Geotechnical Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Graduate Geotechnical Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Graduate Geotechnical Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Graduate Geotechnical Engineer jobs are:
Graduate Geotechnical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Geotechnical Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 10% Full Time, 83% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $92,871 per year, or $44.6 per hour.
Associate Geotechnical Engineer

Associate Geotechnical Engineer

WSP

Irvine, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 29 days ago

WSP rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 67 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

15th of 57 rated business consultants

Job description

Job Description
This Opportunity
WSP is seeking an Associate Geotechnical Engineer to work out of our Southern California region (Irvine, San Diego and Los Angeles) The entry level position would involve assignments of limited scope and complexity; work supervised in detail; may give guidance to junior professionals or more junior technician staff; generally more than two years experience post Bachelor's degree or equivalent combinations of graduate level degree and experience.
Candidate is expected to have basic orientation, training and experience in the nature of the consulting business, i.e., how to be a consultant, how to write proposals, reports, client correspondence and internal documents, and how to gain familiarity with the standard procedures and practices associated with their discipline. Typical project assignments include collecting or compiling data, either in the field or from published and unpublished materials, entering data into and extracting data from standard computer programs, and researching the more complex regulatory or technical requirements. Candidate will be required to travel occasionally to field assignments. All work performed by the candidate will be under the supervision of the project manager or senior staff member.
Your Impact
  • Plan and support subsurface explorations (e.g., borings, test pits, CPTs) and coordinate with drillers, surveyors, and utility locators as needed.
  • Identifying ways to improve our field data collection or reporting templates to make our team more efficient and competitive.
  • Log soil and rock in the field; document groundwater, sampling, and drilling conditions; and maintain organized field notes and photo records.
  • Coordinate laboratory testing programs (index, strength, consolidation, corrosion, etc.) and review results for completeness and reasonableness.
  • Perform engineering calculations and analyses (e.g., bearing capacity, settlement, lateral earth pressures, slope stability screening, and seismic site considerations) using accepted methods and software tools.
  • Peer-reviewing the work of junior staff and technicians to ensure our deliverables are error-free and professionally presented.
  • Develop preliminary and final geotechnical recommendations for foundations, slabs, earthwork, excavations, temporary support, and earth retention systems, as applicable to the project.
  • Prepare geotechnical reports, memoranda, figures, and tables that clearly communicate findings, assumptions, and recommendations.
  • Support construction-phase services such as grading/excavation observations, footing subgrade evaluations, pile installation monitoring support, and documentation of nonconformance and corrective actions.
  • Apply QA/QC practices to calculations and deliverables; follow internal standards, checklists, and peer review processes.
  • Communicate with project managers, design team members, contractors, and clients to address technical questions and field issues in a timely manner.
  • Follow health, safety, and environmental requirements; help identify hazards and implement appropriate controls during field activities.
  • Track assigned tasks, budgets, and schedules; provide status updates and proactively raise risks or scope changes.
Who You Are
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in Geotechnical Engineering, or closely related discipline (or equivalent experience).
  • 1 to 3 years of relevant post education experience.
  • Experience with desktop and industry-specific software (e.g., MSOffice, AutoCAD, and MSProject) required.
  • Hands on knowledge on the use of field equipment.
  • Must have strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to establish effective internal and external working relationships.
  • Ability to communicate clearly with on-site contractors, supervisor or project manager regarding work assignments required.
  • Proficient self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
  • Ability to work independently under general supervision, as well as part of a team to meet business objectives.
  • Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP's health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
  • Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
  • Frequent local travel and occasional out-of-town travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master's Degree in Geotechnical Engineering.
  • Engineer in Training Certification.
  • Professional Engineer licensure.
  • A member of and/or actively participate in local professional practice organizations.
    WSP Benefits:
    WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee's career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.
    Compensation:
    Expected Salary (all locations): $81,000 - $101,500
    WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant's sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.
    #LI-AB2

About Us
About WSP
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.
www.wsp.com
WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee's career.
At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?
WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:
WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation - no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.

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