Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Geotechnical Engineer in Training

🎯 Role Definition

We are seeking a motivated Geotechnical Engineer in Training (EIT) to support geotechnical investigations, engineering analyses, laboratory testing interpretation, and construction observation. The Geotechnical EIT will work under senior geotechnical engineers to deliver high-quality site characterization, foundation recommendations, slope stability evaluations, and clear, defensible engineering reports for clients in transportation, municipal, commercial, industrial, and residential sectors. This role combines field exploration oversight, lab data interpretation, numerical analysis, AutoCAD/technical drawing production, client interaction, and professional development toward P.E. licensure.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Civil Engineering / Geotechnical Engineering Intern or Co-op with 6–18 months of field and lab exposure
Recent graduate with B.S. in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering
EIT / Engineer Intern license holder transitioning from structural or environmental engineering roles

Advancement To:

Geotechnical Engineer / Staff Geotechnical Engineer (P.E. track)
Project Engineer or Project Manager for geotechnical projects
Senior Geotechnical Engineer, Specialty Lead (foundations, slopes, seismic)
Principal / Technical Director (Geotechnical)

Lateral Moves:

Environmental Engineer with focus on contaminated soils / remediation
Engineering Geologist or Site Characterization Specialist
Construction Engineering / Construction Materials Testing (CMT) Supervisor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Plan, coordinate, and oversee subsurface exploration programs including drill rig, CPT, and geophysical testing mobilization; ensure drilling logs, sampling protocols, and field testing comply with company standards and ASTM/BS/EN field methods.
Conduct and document standard penetration test (SPT) procedures, cone penetration tests (CPT), percussion and rotary drilling observations, and continuous soil/rock sampling while maintaining accurate field logs and chain-of-custody for samples.
Perform geotechnical laboratory data review and interpret results from grain size analysis, Atterberg limits, unconfined compression, triaxial, consolidation, direct shear, and permeability tests to derive engineering parameters for design.
Execute site characterization and stratigraphic interpretation using borehole logs, CPT data, groundwater observations, and regional geologic information to prepare subsurface profiles and engineering cross-sections.
Prepare engineering calculations and technical designs for shallow and deep foundations (spread footings, mats, piles, drilled shafts), including bearing capacity, settlement analysis, pile capacity and pile group interaction, using LRFD and allowable stress methods.
Develop slope stability analyses for natural and engineered slopes using limit equilibrium methods and software (GeoStudio SLIDE, SLOPE/W), including seismic pseudo-static and Newmark analyses when required.
Build and run finite element and finite difference geotechnical models (PLAXIS, FLAC, or equivalent) for complex soil-structure interaction, excavation support, and consolidation or seepage problems under senior engineer guidance.
Create instrumentation and monitoring plans, install and monitor inclinometers, piezometers, settlement plates, and provide interpretation of monitoring data during construction and post-construction phases.
Provide construction phase geotechnical services including observation of subgrade preparation, compaction testing oversight, oversight of dewatering systems, and verification of foundation installation to ensure compliance with recommendations.
Produce well-structured geotechnical engineering reports, technical memoranda, proposals, and client deliverables with clear recommendations for foundation design, earthwork, drainage, and remediation, supported by data, calculations, and drawings.
Prepare and coordinate plan sets, foundation details, and technical drawings in AutoCAD / Civil 3D and integrate geotechnical input into architectural/structural drawing packages.
Collaborate with structural, civil, environmental, and construction teams to integrate geotechnical recommendations into overall project design, schedule, and budget constraints.
Review and interpret geotechnical and geologic regulatory requirements, permitting documents, and municipal or DOT specifications; prepare responses to technical review comments and provide clarifications to permitting agencies.
Support soil and groundwater remediation assessments by assisting with sampling programs, data interpretation, and preparation of technical support for remediation alternatives when geotechnical and environmental issues intersect.
Participate in cost estimating, scope development, and technical proposal preparation for geotechnical projects, including task-level schedules, resource planning, and risk identification.
Assist senior engineers in peer reviews and quality control of geotechnical analyses, field logs, laboratory summaries, and report deliverables to ensure technical accuracy and consistency.
Conduct literature reviews and site-specific research on local geology, seismicity, liquefaction potential, historic fill, and relevant case studies to inform design assumptions and mitigations.
Communicate results and recommendations to clients, contractors, and project teams through written reports, presentations, and technical meetings; respond to client inquiries in a timely, professional manner.
Maintain field and lab safety by following HSE policies, supervising subcontractor compliance, conducting site safety briefings, maintaining accurate daily field reports, and identifying hazards related to drilling and excavation activities.
Manage project-level technical data in gINT, Excel, or other geotechnical databases; ensure accurate data entry, version control, and organized archiving of subsurface data for future use.
Contribute to professional development activities including preparation for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) / EIT exam, attending training sessions, and pursuing mentorship from registered P.E. geotechnical staff.
Support bid-day activities, site visits, and pre-construction meetings to provide geotechnical clarifications, review contractor questions, and assist in evaluating contractor submittals for compliance with geotechnical requirements.
Assist in value engineering by evaluating alternative foundation methods, ground improvement techniques (stone columns, vibro-compaction, deep soil mixing), and cost-effective earthwork strategies that reduce overall project costs while maintaining safety and performance.
Prepare and present technical summaries and as-built geotechnical documentation at project closeout, including records of observed conditions, deviations from design, and post-construction monitoring recommendations.

Secondary Functions

Assist with internal knowledge management by developing templates, standard operating procedures, and checklists for field logging, report writing, and laboratory data QA/QC.
Support marketing and business development by preparing technical content for proposals, qualifications, and client-facing case studies that highlight geotechnical capabilities and project experience.
Maintain and calibrate field test equipment and help manage subcontractor relationships for drilling, CPT, and specialty testing services.
Participate in cross-discipline study groups (seismic, pavement, environmental) to broaden technical capabilities and deliver multidisciplinary solutions.
Provide ad-hoc technical support for emergency response or urgent field troubleshooting related to slope failures, foundation distress, or groundwater incursion.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficiency in geotechnical software and modeling tools: PLAXIS, GeoStudio (SLOPE/W, SEEP/W, SIGMA/W), FLAC, or equivalent.
Experience preparing and managing subsurface data using gINT, LogPlot, or other borehole logging/database software.
Strong competency in AutoCAD and familiarity with Civil 3D for preparing foundation and site layout drawings.
Practical knowledge of field exploration methods, including SPT, CPT, drilling oversite (auger, hollow-stem auger, rotary), and geophysical surveys.
Ability to interpret and apply laboratory test results (triaxial, consolidation, direct shear, permeability, Atterberg limits) to derive engineering parameters.
Foundation and earthwork design skills including bearing capacity, settlement analysis, pile design (LPILE, GROUP), and shallow foundation sizing per LRFD and ASD codes.
Slope stability and retaining structure analysis experience, including factor of safety calculations and seismic pseudo-static methods.
Groundwater, seepage, and dewatering analysis capability including estimating inflow, designing sump systems, and analyzing permeability effects.
Familiarity with geotechnical site investigation reporting standards, ASTM testing standards, state DOT specs, and municipal permitting processes.
Competence in instrumentation and monitoring methodologies: piezometers, inclinometers, settlement gauges, and telemetry data interpretation.
Basic proficiency in scripting or data analysis tools (Excel, VBA, Python, MATLAB) for data processing, plotting, and QA/QC workflows.
Knowledge of ground improvement techniques (stone columns, deep soil mixing, dynamic compaction) and when to recommend them.
Understanding of seismic site classification, liquefaction assessment, and liquefaction triggering analyses.
Construction monitoring and quality assurance experience, including compaction testing and verification of subgrade and foundation installations.

Soft Skills

Excellent technical writing skills with ability to produce clear, concise, and well-illustrated geotechnical reports that are client- and permitting-ready.
Strong oral communication and client-facing presentation skills for technical meetings, site meetings, and project updates.
Collaborative team player who coordinates effectively with multi-discipline engineers, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
Critical thinking and problem-solving aptitude with attention to detail in field observations, data interpretation, and design assumptions.
Time management and organizational skills to manage multiple small tasks across concurrent projects and meet deadlines.
Initiative and self-directed learning mindset, actively pursuing professional licensure (P.E.), training, and mentorship.
Adaptability and comfort with frequent field work, variable site conditions, and travel to project locations.
Professional judgment and ethical conduct when assessing risk, communicating uncertainty, and making client recommendations.
Client service orientation with responsiveness, transparency, and a solutions-focused attitude.
Leadership potential to supervise technicians and subcontractors in the field and coordinate site activities under senior engineer guidance.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

B.S. in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Geological Engineering, or closely related engineering discipline.

Preferred Education:

M.S. in Geotechnical Engineering, Geomechanics, or Soil Mechanics preferred for accelerated technical growth.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Civil Engineering
Geotechnical Engineering / Geological Engineering
Geomechanics, Soil Mechanics
Environmental Engineering with geotechnical electives

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years (recent graduates with internships/co-op experience are encouraged)

Preferred: 1–2 years of relevant experience from engineering internships, co-ops, field technician roles, or entry-level geotechnical positions with exposure to site investigations, SPT/CPT logging, laboratory testing data, and basic foundation or slope analyses.