Geotechnical Engineer

About the role

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably—from designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports, and marine infrastructure. Your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities, and quality of life.

The primary duties of the Geotechnical Engineer are development and completion of geotechnical field and laboratory investigations, preparation of proposals and reporting documents, and completion and coordination of technical analyses for design. A good candidate will be familiar with geotechnical investigations, laboratory testing, and design activities for transportation projects including bridges, fill embankments, cut slopes, subgrades, pavements, retaining walls, and ground improvement. This role involves communication with both internal and external clients and coordination with design and project teams to confirm implementation of geotechnical recommendations into project documents.

Responsibilities

• Organize, coordinate, and execute field exploration efforts, geotechnical analyses, and development of geotechnical reporting documents.
• Make decisions and recommendations that impact project direction and activities, with guidance from senior geotechnical engineers.
• Develop and complete geotechnical field and laboratory investigations.
• Prepare proposals and reporting documents.
• Complete and coordinate technical analyses for design, including subsurface characterization, development of geotechnical design parameters, slope stability and settlement analysis, and design of shallow foundations, deep foundations, retaining walls, and pavements.
• Work collaboratively with senior geotechnical engineering staff and other team members to complete assigned work.
• Independently prepare proposals and develop geotechnical data/engineering reports.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (BSCE) from an accredited 4-year engineering program.
• Professional Engineering (PE or P.Eng) license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered; Virginia PE license required (or ability to obtain it within six months of employment).
• Four or more years of progressive geotechnical engineering experience.
• Experience with geotechnical software including GeoStudio/Ensoft (Slope/W, APILE, LPILE, Settle3D), Bentley suite (gINT/OpenGround/LeapFrog), and Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with developing and executing subsurface exploration and laboratory testing programs for soils and rock.
• Functional experience with geotechnical analyses and design for transportation projects.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with team members and clients.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant in our employee-owned culture.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Civil Engineering with Geotechnical emphasis.
• Project management experience.
• 4+ years of geotechnical consulting experience.
• Proficiency with MicroStation or other relevant software.
• Preference given to candidates currently residing in the Mid-Atlantic Area (VA/MD/DC).

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package promoting employee ownership, health, performance, and success, including medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, and an employee assistance program.
• Paid time away, parental leave, and paid holidays.
• Retirement savings plan with employer match.
• Employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement.
• Eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) fostering inclusion and support.

Pay

• Fulton, MD: $84,084 - $120,120
• Glen Allen, VA: $76,440 - $109,200
• Vienna, VA: $91,728 - $131,040
• Virginia Beach, VA: $76,440 - $109,200

Schedule

Full-time, regular employee status.

Locations: Glen Allen, VA (primary); also available in Vienna, VA; Virginia Beach, VA; Fulton, MD.