Associate Geotechnical Engineer

Our Business

We are a global leader in environmental consulting - made stronger with the recent acquisition of Golder - with world-class expertise in environmental, social and governance (ESG), climate resiliency & sustainability (CRS), and earth sciences. Combined we have over 14,000 multidisciplinary professionals worldwide collaborating daily to protect and conserve natural landscapes, create firm foundations for communities to stand on, and champion sustainable development to combat climate change.

As part of the team, you will have access to an unparalleled network of resources and endless opportunities to collaborate on exciting projects with diverse teammates from across the globe.

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Staff Geotechnical Engineer to join our Central U.S. operations team in a full-time position at our Houston, TX office. In this role you will have the opportunity to perform geotechnical engineering evaluations and calculations, write technical documents, conduct subsurface investigations, and provide field monitoring, testing, and sampling for a variety of projects. Assignments may include travel to remote locations and outside work in various climates.

Your Impact

• With minimal supervision, assist with collecting, compiling, and analyzing data from the physical work site, soil/water/sludge/rock samples, surveys, blueprints, GIS data, subsurface information, maps, geotechnical data, and other matrices for project development, design, and construction.
• Prepare technical reports, design memoranda, field reports, design drawings, cost estimating documents, project specifications, and permit documents;
• Perform basic professional geotechnical engineering work relating to conducting research and inspections of proposed and existing site conditions, including subsurface investigations, soil foundation engineering, settlement analysis, soil erosion, lateral earth pressures, geological hazards, underground water, and slope stability for commercial, industrial, building, environmental, infrastructure, and transportation projects.
• Assist with the development of technologies, monitoring devices, modeling techniques, design requirements, and operating strategies to account for the safety and functionality of end-users, transportation systems, structures, and the incorporation of future-ready solutions with geotechnical engineering design standards.
• Assist with verifying the characteristics of a site and providing technical assistance on various environmental, design, and construction issues involving rock and soil mechanics, and investigating subsurface and geological conditions to design and build foundations, earth structures, and pavement sub-grades.
• Assist technical staff and project managers with risk identification and assessment, offering input and analysis with design concepts, construction, mitigation and improvement activities, and remediation projects.
• Perform geotechnical calculations and analyses using computer programs for pile and drilled shaft foundation designs, seepage and slope stability evaluations, earth retaining structure designs, and settlement assessments;
• Work collaboratively with other engineers and planners on projects with infrastructure authorities on Federal, State, regional, and locally funded improvement, and development projects.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Geotechnical Engineering, or closely related discipline.
• 1 year of relevant post education experience.
• EIT registration in the State of Texas
• Familiarity with infrastructure planning, design, and construction management, including rehabilitation and new design.
• Ability to collect field data and oversee subcontractors
• Analytical mindset with an ability to exercise sound judgement in evaluating situations and making decisions.
• Ability to lift and carry heavy equipment (at least up to 50 pounds)
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as part of a team to meet business objectives.
• Basic proficiency with technical writing, office automation, software, technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.
• Experience with discipline-specific design software (i.e., MicroStation, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, ArcGIS, InRoads, Geopak, GeoSlope, ANSYS, STADD, HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS).
• A willingness to travel locally, nationally and internationally, with possible frequent, shorter-term travel and some longer-term travel

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in civil engineering
• Experience working in a consulting practice
• Experience with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, AutoCAD and gINT
• Experience with geotechnical engineering software, such as GeoStudio, Slide, Shaft, Apile, Lpile, Group, Pywall, GRL WEAP and Plaxis
• A member of and/or actively participate in local professional practice organizations.
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