Geotechnical Instrumentation Senior Staff Engineer

About the role

Terracon is seeking a Geotechnical Instrumentation Senior Staff Engineer to support the design, implementation, and interpretation of instrumentation and monitoring programs on a wide range of projects. This role is ideal for an experienced geotechnical engineer who is ready to deepen technical expertise in instrumentation while taking on increased responsibility in project execution and team coordination.

Responsibilities

• Support the design and implementation of geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring programs (e.g., vibrating wire piezometers, inclinometers, settlement systems, data loggers).
• Perform engineering analysis and interpretation of instrumentation and subsurface data.
• Evaluate monitoring trends and assist in identifying potential risks or performance issues.
• Prepare engineering recommendations, plans, and specifications related to instrumentation and geotechnical design.
• Conduct or support field investigations, instrumentation installation oversight, and construction observation.
• Review project drawings and construction activities for compliance with plans and specifications.
• Prepare technical reports documenting monitoring results, observations, and engineering recommendations.
• Absorb or support the development of proposals, scopes of work, and cost estimates.
• Track progress, budgets, and schedules for assigned tasks and project components.
• Support troubleshooting of instrumentation systems and field challenges.
• Follow safety rules, guidelines, and standards; participate in pre-task planning and report safety concerns.
• Promote continuous quality monitoring and maintain Terracon quality standards on all projects.
• Independently perform instrumentation-related tasks or lead portions of larger projects.
• Plan, schedule, and coordinate phases of project work.
• Work closely with Project and Senior Engineers to gain experience on complex instrumentation and geotechnical projects.
• Make engineering, monitoring, and construction recommendations, adaptations, and modifications.
• Evaluate complex laboratory, field, and instrumentation data for engineering analysis and reporting.
• Prepare proposals and technical reports for projects of varying complexity.
• Perform quality control reviews of reports and proposals prepared by others.
• Interact directly with clients and project teams to support scope development, communicate findings, and deliver services.
• Collaborate across offices and disciplines to support consistent delivery of instrumentation services on national projects.
• Serve as a technical resource and provide guidance to junior engineering and field staff.
• Participate in marketing, sales, and business development activities.
• Supervise field staff, field engineers, and technicians involved in instrumentation installation and monitoring.
• Work under the supervision of a Professional Engineer and a Terracon Authorized Project Reviewer.
• Continue development toward Project Engineer and advanced instrumentation leadership responsibilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Geotechnical, Geological, or related Engineering field.
• Typically 3–6+ years of relevant geotechnical engineering experience, with exposure to instrumentation and monitoring programs.
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT/EI) required; ability to obtain Professional Engineer (PE) registration.
• Experience with field investigations, construction observation, and engineering analysis.
• Experience working with or supporting instrumentation systems (installation, monitoring, or data interpretation preferred).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, particularly with data interpretation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and coordinate with diverse project teams.
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable violation history.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in related field.
• Progress toward Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.
• Experience with geotechnical instrumentation systems and monitoring programs.
• Familiarity with data acquisition systems and remote monitoring platforms.
• Experience supporting large or multi-office project teams.
• Field experience supporting instrumentation installation and troubleshooting.

Benefits

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.

Pay

Maximum Salary: $108,240
Minimum Salary: $84,920

Schedule

Full-time position.