Geotechnical and Construction Materials Testing - Professional Engineer

Overview

At UES, we’re a team of more than 4,000 engineers, scientists, geologists, inspectors, technicians, and drillers united by a shared purpose—to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. As a national leader in geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, and materials testing and inspection, we collaborate on transformative projects across transportation, energy, water, healthcare, and more. Learn more about the benefits of joining Team UES and our core values at careers.teamues.com.

Position Overview

Two Specialties. One Opportunity. Make an Impact Across Every Stage of Construction.

At UES, we're looking for an experienced Professional Engineer (PE) with a background in both Geotechnical Engineering and Construction Materials Testing (CMT) to support our growing engineering teams.

This is a unique opportunity for a well-rounded civil engineer who enjoys variety in their work, from evaluating subsurface conditions and developing foundation recommendations to providing engineering oversight during construction.

Rather than focusing exclusively on one discipline, you'll collaborate with both our Geotechnical and CMT departments, helping deliver practical engineering solutions and ensuring projects meet technical, quality, and safety standards. If you enjoy technical problem-solving, project management, and working alongside field and laboratory teams, we'd like to connect.

What You'll Do

Geotechnical Engineering

• Plan, coordinate, and oversee geotechnical subsurface investigations, including drilling programs, soil sampling, and field exploration.

• Evaluate subsurface conditions and laboratory data to develop engineering recommendations for foundations, earthwork, and site development.

• Perform or review geotechnical engineering analyses, including bearing capacity, settlement, slope stability, and retaining structures.

• Prepare and review geotechnical reports, engineering calculations, and technical recommendations.

• Provide technical guidance to geotechnical field personnel, drilling crews, and laboratory technicians.

• Support clients and project teams with geotechnical engineering solutions throughout design and construction.

Construction Materials Testing (CMT)

• Provide engineering oversight for construction materials testing and inspection projects involving soils, concrete, asphalt, masonry, and reinforcing steel.

• Review field testing results, laboratory reports, construction plans, and specifications for compliance with project requirements.

• Evaluate nonconforming test results and construction conditions, providing technical recommendations and corrective solutions.

• Review and approve engineering reports, technical documentation, and project deliverables.

• Serve as a technical resource for CMT field technicians, inspectors, and laboratory personnel.

• Support quality assurance and quality control across construction projects.

Project Management & Leadership

• Manage engineering projects across both Geotechnical and CMT departments, including schedules, budgets, resources, and deliverables.

• Coordinate with project managers, contractors, clients, and internal technical teams to ensure successful project execution.

• Build and maintain strong client relationships while identifying opportunities for additional engineering services.

• Assist with proposals, scope development, cost estimates, and business development efforts.

• Mentor junior engineers, field technicians, and laboratory professionals.

• Promote technical excellence, safety, and consistent engineeri

Responsibilities

• Lead geotechnical investigations, including planning, coordinating, and overseeing field and laboratory work.
• Independently perform complex engineering analyses, including slope stability, settlement, bearing capacity, and seismic design considerations.
• Develop detailed geotechnical reports, specifications, and cost estimates with minimal oversight.
• Oversee foundation design, earth retention, pavement, and ground improvement projects.
• Serve as the primary technical contact for clients on assigned projects, ensuring responsiveness and quality service.
• Review and approve work prepared by junior engineers and technicians.
• Utilize advanced geotechnical software for modeling and analysis (e.g., PLAXIS, GeoStudio, gINT).
• Conduct site visits and construction observations to ensure adherence to geotechnical recommendations.
• Participate in proposal development and business development activities.
• Provide technical training and guidance to junior engineers and field staff.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Geotechnical, or related Engineering discipline (Master’s preferred).

5–8 years of geotechnical engineering experience.

Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification required; Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred or in progress.

Demonstrated proficiency in advanced geotechnical analysis and design methods.

Strong leadership, communication, and mentoring skills.

Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with minimal oversight.

Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel.
Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in an engineering consulting environment supporting both Geotechnical and CMT operations.

• Experience developing foundation recommendations, evaluating subsurface conditions, and preparing geotechnical reports.

• Familiarity with ASTM, ACI, ICC, DOT, and applicable construction testing standards.

• Experience managing engineering projects, budgets, schedules, and client relationships.

• Previous experience mentoring engineers, field technicians, or laboratory personnel.

• Master's degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering.

Travel Requirements

This position is office based 75% of the time with Travel approximately up to 25 % of the time, in support of business objectives and client engagements. Travel may be both scheduled and on short notice, depending on project needs. Destinations typically include job sites, field locations, or regional offices, where work may be conducted in outdoor or operational environments. Adherence to all company safety protocols and use of PPE is required during travel and on-site work.

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Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Work is primarily conducted outdoors with exposure to outdoor conditions, including:
  • Sites that may not be accessible by vehicle, requiring travel on foot through wetlands, swamps, grasslands, construction zones, and other uneven or rugged terrain with natural and man-made obstacles such as sand, brush, and debris.
  • Moderate to loud noise levels due to lab equipment, field operations, and construction environments.
  • Exposure to dirt, dust, chemicals, sun, heat, humidity, and varying weather conditions as part of field sample collection and testing.
• Physical requirements include:
  • Ability to lift and carry between 35 and 75 lbs. over distances up to 75 feet, involving regular repetitive motion.
  • Ability to stand, walk, drive, and operate laboratory and field equipment for extended periods.
  • Ability to bend, twist, reach, stoop, pull, kneel, climb, balance, lift, carry, and push as required for laboratory and fieldwork.
  • Ability to use your senses to see (including close, distant, and peripheral vison, depth vision, and ability to focus) smell, hear, touch (use hands to reach climb or balance, crouch, stoop, crawl, kneel and sit).
  • Ability to communicate effectively through verbal and written means in a lab and field environment, often requiring the use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).

EEO Statement

UES is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is proud to recruit the most qualified candidates. Please see our full EEO Statement at the bottom of the page here