July 2026Augustinas Zibuda & Yuvann Sayandan5 mins read
The Engineers Every Geotechnical Firm Wants to Hire
Why are geotech engineers with a PE license in such high demand?
If you're a geotechnical engineer with a Professional Engineer (PE) license, or you're working toward one, you're entering one of the strongest hiring markets the industry has seen in years.
Infrastructure investment across the US is creating new opportunities for engineers who can lead projects, mentor teams, and take technical responsibility for increasingly complex work. And, as those firms compete for experienced talent, professionals like you can advance your career, take on larger projects, and progress into leadership positions.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) provides approximately $350 billion for federal highway programs between 2022 and 2026, supporting thousands of projects across highways, bridges, rail, dams, and environmental restoration. Geotechnical engineers are central to many of these developments, and the need for their expertise shows little sign of slowing.
Why PE-licensed engineers are so valuable in today's market
As projects become larger and more technically demanding, firms need engineers who can do more than produce technical work.
Professional Engineers review and approve designs, stamp reports, oversee technical quality, and provide the leadership needed to deliver complex infrastructure projects safely and successfully.
According to Augustinas Zibuda, Principal Consultant at LVI Associates:
Companies need PEs to stamp reports, but there's a shortage of geotechnical engineers, so they're competing for the same candidates.
That competition is creating significant opportunities for experienced engineers. Companies are moving faster through the hiring process, investing in long-term talent, and looking for professionals who can help develop the next generation of engineers while leading critical projects today.
Yuvann Sayandan, Consultant at LVI Associates, has seen this demand increase across the US:
Mid-level PEs are the most sought after. There are junior engineers working toward their PE and senior engineers with 15–20 years’ experience, but not enough talent in the middle.
The missing generation of geotechnical engineers
The shortage many firms face today has been years in the making.
While graduates continue to enter the profession and senior engineers bring decades of experience, there simply aren't enough mid-career professionals to keep pace with hiring activity.
According to Augustinas:
We’re struggling to find mid-level engineers because a whole generation didn’t go into geotechnical and civil engineering.
He explains why many engineers chose different career paths:
Many graduates choose civil engineering disciplines they see as more predictable or office-based, such as structural, transportation or land development. Geotech can involve unpredictable subsurface conditions, early-career field work, higher professional liability and a challenging PE pathway.
The result is a growing experience gap just as infrastructure investment continues to accelerate:
We have graduates entering the market and senior engineers approaching retirement, but not enough engineers with 8–15 years’ experience to bridge the gap.
What this means for your career
For experienced geotechnical engineers, today's market presents opportunities that extend well beyond compensation.
Companies are looking for technical leaders who can mentor junior staff, manage client relationships, oversee complex investigations, and support business growth. As competition for talent increases, many employers are placing greater emphasis on career development, leadership opportunities, and supporting engineers working toward their PE license.
For professionals, this means:
- More opportunities to step into leadership roles
- Greater flexibility when considering your next move
- Increased investment in professional development
- Access to larger, more technically challenging projects
- Strong demand for engineers with specialized expertise
It's also changing how firms approach hiring you.
Experience matters, but so does potential
As competition for experienced PEs increases, many firms are broadening their hiring strategies.
Rather than focusing exclusively on traditional academic pathways, employers are recognizing the value of professionals who have developed geotechnical expertise through adjacent disciplines, including geology and engineering geology.
Yuvann has seen this approach deliver strong results, as he recently worked with a client that was struggling to compete for talent. The outcome was a larger talent pool and a successful hire:
Some companies are considering a wider range of academic and experience backgrounds. One client in DC was struggling to find CMT professionals and couldn’t compete with larger firms on compensation. By widening the profile beyond traditional academic backgrounds, they opened up the candidate pool and filled the role.
This evolving approach doesn't just help employers solve hiring challenges. It also creates new opportunities for experienced professionals whose career paths may not follow a traditional route.
Why earning your PE has never been more valuable
For engineers looking to advance their careers, earning a PE license remains one of the most valuable investments you can make.
Beyond expanding your technical responsibilities, it opens opportunities to leadership positions, greater project ownership, and increased earning potential. Many firms are also actively investing in engineers working toward licensure, recognizing that today's developing professionals will become tomorrow's technical leaders.
Finding the right opportunity takes more than applying online
In today's market, the best career move isn't always the first role you see posted online.
Many of the strongest opportunities are filled through specialist networks before they're widely advertised. Working with a talent partner who understands the geotechnical market can provide valuable insight into compensation, company culture, leadership opportunities, and long-term career progression.
According to Augustinas, LVI Associates have built relationships that benefit both employers looking to solve complex hiring challenges but also the engineers exploring their next potential career move:
At LVI Associates, we micro-specialize in specific sectors and geographical markets. That helps us build genuine relationships, generate referrals, map competitors and find the needle in the haystack. What separates us is the reputation we’ve built within the geotechnical community.
Because LVI Associates focuses exclusively on specialist engineering markets, consultants understand the technical challenges engineers face, the firms they're considering, and where the strongest career opportunities exist. Augustinas summarizes:
Candidates trust us because we understand the technical side of what they do, the companies they work for and the opportunities available. We’re not just recruiting in the market, we’re part of it.
Looking ahead
Demand for geotechnical expertise isn't slowing down.
As investment continues across transportation, energy, water, environmental restoration, and critical infrastructure, firms will continue competing for experienced engineers who can provide technical leadership and help develop the next generation of talent.
For professionals, that creates an opportunity to build a career at the forefront of some of the country's most significant infrastructure projects while choosing employers that align with their long-term goals.
Ready to take the next step in your geotechnical engineering career?
Whether you're actively looking for a new opportunity or simply want to understand what your experience is worth in today's market, speaking with a specialist consultant can help you make an informed career decision.
At LVI Associates, we build long-term relationships with geotechnical engineers at every stage of their careers. From professionals working toward their PE license to experienced technical leaders considering their next move, we provide market insight, salary guidance, and access to opportunities that align with your technical expertise and career goals.
Explore our latest geotechnical engineering roles or submit your resume today.