Description
Plan, investigate, and design geotechnical solutions by characterizing subsurface conditions and analyzing soil and rock behavior; engineer foundations, earthworks, slopes, retaining structures, tunnels, and ground improvement; and oversee geotechnical aspects of construction and maintenance for transportation, water, energy, and building projects.
- • Compute bearing capacity, settlement, slope stability, lateral earth pressures, and seepage to develop design criteria.
- • Plan, direct, or perform subsurface investigations, including borings, test pits, in-situ testing, and instrumentation.
- • Inspect field investigations and construction of foundations, earthworks, and retaining systems for conformance to design and safety standards.
- • Estimate quantities and costs for foundations, ground improvement, dewatering, and earthwork activities.
- • Prepare and present geotechnical reports, boring logs, design memoranda, and recommendations for foundations, pavements, and earth structures.
- • Perform and interpret laboratory and field tests on soils, rock, and aggregates to establish engineering properties.
- • Evaluate groundwater, seepage, and dewatering needs and assess impacts on adjacent structures and the environment.
- • Analyze seismic site response, liquefaction potential, and lateral spreading hazards for design.
- • Design shallow and deep foundations, retaining walls, embankments, slopes, and excavation support systems.
- • Develop ground improvement solutions such as grouting, soil mixing, reinforcement, and densification.
- • Oversee geotechnical aspects of environmental containment systems, landfills, and embankment or tailings dams.
- • Ensure engineering activities comply with applicable codes, standards, and environmental, health, and safety regulations.
- • Identify geologic and geotechnical risks and develop mitigation and monitoring plans.
- • Provide technical guidance to structural, civil, and construction teams on subsurface conditions and constructability.
- • Manage geotechnical construction observation, testing services, and quality control/assurance at project sites.
- • Analyze survey data, geologic maps, aerial imagery, boring logs, and lab results using CAD, GIS, and geotechnical modeling tools to support design.
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
