Geotechnical Engineer

About Us

At American Engineering Testing (AET), we believe that people are the heart of innovation. We create an environment that values teamwork, curiosity, and continuous improvement while delivering innovative engineering and consulting solutions. As a 100% employee-owned firm, we deliver comprehensive testing, analysis, and design to reduce uncertainty in construction projects and offer rewarding work, exceptional training, and career development opportunities.

Job Summary

Geotechnical Engineer plays a critical role by coordinating and completing geotechnical project testing services through the application of conventional engineering principles and practices. This position independently performs most assignments, trains and directs project teams on multi-disciplinary projects, and supports departmental and company marketing efforts by performing specific marketing duties and implementing established marketing goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage simple to complex projects and direct a project team where multiple disciplines may be required from initial authorization to completion including client interaction, work scheduling, interpreting implications of complex data, establishing and monitoring project budget, invoicing and quality control.
• Perform engineering observations/judgments of geostructural activities, including jobs with a higher degree of difficulty.
• Prepare formal geotechnical engineering reports, including recommendations.
• Critically review, edit, and sign technical reports and correspondence of other staff.
• Coordinate and assign staff to perform field testing.
• Generate business for self and others in the department and maintain established chargeability goal.
• Represent AET by presenting ideas, solutions, and innovative advancements to clients, peer groups, public audiences, and regulatory agencies and in professional publications.
• Aid in coaching and training junior staff and perform critical performance appraisals of Technicians and lower level Engineers.
• Other Areas of Accountability: Conduct field, laboratory and office activities in a manner consistent with federal, state, and local regulations, along with AET’s QA and Health and Safety Policies, to promote the safety and protection of employees, clients and the public.

Required Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Geological (or related) Engineering with 8 or more years of related experience, OR;
• Advanced degree in Civil (Geotechnical or related) Engineering with 6 or more years of related experience (preferred).
• Professional Engineering registration in Wisconsin, or ability to obtain within 3 months.
• Ability to obtain registration in other States, as required.

Preferred Skills

• Ability to develop and implement creative/innovative solutions to a wide range of problems.
• Physically capable of the physical labor required, with personal protective equipment.
• Ability to occasionally move 50 to 100 pounds.
• Demonstrated skill in cultivating and managing external relationships (with clients, prospects, professional associations, etc.) to generate business development opportunities for self and others.
• Demonstrated skill in cultivating and managing client and internal relationships to foster a positive working environment, to develop strong teamwork, and to resolve issues and problems in a positive manner.
• Ability to anticipate, recognize, and manage risk/liability.
• Excellent communication skills including the ability to present ideas to large groups in a clear and compelling manner.
• Skill in reviewing contract terms and conditions and making recommendations for final review by company officer.
• Ability to work at environmental remediation, industrial and construction sites and perform field work including, but not limited to, collecting samples, operating field instruments, following procedures, planning, organizing and arranging logistics for the job, and documenting field activities and data collected.

Pay Transparency

Base compensation is expected to be in the range of $80,000 and $105,000 annually based on skill set and experience. AET offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health benefits, insurance, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), long term savings, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.

Work Environment

This job primarily operates in a professional office environment. This position also may require field work in outdoor conditions on construction sites with uneven ground and adverse weather conditions. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and photocopiers.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands or finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50-100 pounds. The employee will occasionally push or pull equipment weighing up to 200 pounds. The employee is required to frequently work outside. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.