Early Career Geotechnical Engineer

Job Description

WSP is currently initiating a search for an Early Career Geotechnical Engineer for our Merrimack, NH, Eliot, ME, Portland, ME or Boston, MA office. The work entails a combination of field and office-related activities, with a need to carefully follow instructions, document activities, work as part of a team, and requires problem‑solving and proactive communication. The engineer will provide local geotechnical engineering assistance for the design, development, and construction of infrastructure projects and systems in the public and private sector.

Tasks include basic assistance with research, design, analysis, concept development and construction of roads, buildings, tunnels, dams, canals, levees, bridges, water supply systems, underground storage and sewage treatment. The engineer generates accurate and concise documentation regarding assigned aspects of the project and ensures that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, safety and functionality.

• 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.
• Perform professional geotechnical engineering work relating to desktop studies of existing site conditions and geology, subsurface investigations, evaluation of groundwater conditions, site geologic conditions and geological hazards, stability analysis, settlement analysis, evaluation of lateral earth pressures, foundation design (shallow and deep), retaining wall design and design of mitigation measures for transportation, infrastructure, environmental, industrial, commercial and building projects.
• Assist with writing technical reports summarizing research with findings and conclusions, generating complete, accurate and concise documentation using sketches, calculations, spreadsheets and software.
• Work with cross‑functional teams in executing project work.
• Assist with work plan preparation and coordination of field/site activities, including health and safety, traffic control, utility locating planning and permitting.
• Complete training on assigned tasks.
• Work collaboratively with other engineers and planners on projects with infrastructure authorities on federal, state, regional and locally funded improvement and development projects.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision‑making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering.
• 0 to 1 year of experience in the geotechnical, civil, geological or mining engineering fields, to include field logging and sampling, engineering design related to slope stability, settlement, earth retention systems and foundations, general civil design, construction, rock engineering or other geotechnical analyses.
• Knowledge of geotechnical engineering principles, practices and design and project work‑related issues.
• Computer skills and experience with industry standard commercial computer software including Microsoft Office and geotechnical engineering software such as Rocscience Suite, RS Suite.
• Analytical mindset with an ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions.
• Interest in developing new skills and building experience.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non‑engineering audience.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as part of a team to meet business objectives.
• Strong attention to detail; accuracy is essential.
• Focused organization and time‑management abilities.
• Excellent verbal and strong writing skills.
• Basic proficiency with technical writing, office automation, software, technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets and tools.
• Experience…