Geotechnical Project Engineer
Geotechnical Project Engineer
Location: San Diego, CA
Overview
A nationally recognized, multidisciplinary engineering consulting firm is seeking a Geotechnical Project Engineer to join its San Diego team. This group supports a steady pipeline of land development and infrastructure work, with geotechnical engineers working closely alongside civil/site design teams.
This role is best suited for someone who can take ownership of projects, contribute technically, and operate confidently in a client-facing environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage and execute geotechnical investigations from proposal through final report
- Prepare and review geotechnical reports, including:
- Foundation recommendations
- Grading and earthwork specifications
- Pavement design
- Groundwater and infiltration considerations
- Perform engineering analyses including:
- Bearing capacity and settlement
- Slope stability and hillside development
- Earth pressures and retaining systems
- Plan and oversee field exploration programs:
- Drilling, sampling, and lab coordination
- Field observation and documentation
- Coordinate closely with internal civil/site teams to align geotechnical recommendations with design
- Interface with clients, agencies, and review boards to support entitlements and approvals
- Support proposals, scope development, and budgeting
- Provide mentorship and technical oversight to junior staff
Qualifications
- B.S. in Civil Engineering or related field
- PE required or actively in progress
- 4-8 years of geotechnical engineering experience
- Strong mix of field experience, analysis, and report writing
- Experience supporting Southern California land development projects
- Familiarity with:
- Local agency requirements (City/County of San Diego, coastal considerations, etc.)
- Slope stability and settlement analysis tools
- Foundation and earthwork design practices
- Experience working in a multidisciplinary consulting environment preferred
- Strong communication skills and ability to manage client relationships
Project Exposure
- Residential and mixed-use developments
- Hillside and coastal site development
- Commercial and institutional projects
- Infrastructure and roadway improvements
What They're Looking For
- Someone who can own projects from start to finish
- Comfortable balancing technical work, field coordination, and client interaction
- Collaborative mindset, especially working alongside civil/site design teams
- Long-term interest in growing into senior project and leadership responsibilities
Why This Role
- Strong backlog in one of the most active development markets in California
- Integrated environment with civil and site engineering teams
- Clear path to increased responsibility and project leadership
- Exposure to technically challenging sites (hillsides, coastal, urban infill)
FAQs
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