Early Career Geotechnical Engineer - 15545

Redmond, WA

Early Career Geotechnical Engineer - 15545

Our Business

We are a global leader in environmental consulting - made stronger with the recent acquisition of Wood’s Environment & Infrastructure business and Golder - with world-class expertise in environmental, social and governance (ESG), climate resiliency & sustainability (CRS), and earth sciences. Combined we have over 20,000 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 an Early Career Geotechnical Engineer for our Redmond, WA office. The following locations will also be considered: Seattle, WA and Federal Way, WA.  Be involved in projects with our Ground Engineering and Materials; Earth & Environment Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our client’s objectives and solves their challenges. 

Redmond, WA sits 15 miles outside of Seattle. While this role has the preference of someone sitting in the Redmond office we are flexible to allow a candidate to work out of Seattle as well. WSP operates off of a hybrid work schedule and we would like the selected candidate to be in office at least 3 days per week.

Your Impact

  • With minimal assistance, collect, compile, and analyze data from the physical work site, soil/rock samples, surveys, blueprints, GIS data, subsurface information, maps, geotechnical data, and other matrices for project development, design, and construction.   
  • Maintain quality control standards and procedures for accurate and precise measurements, statistical analysis of rock and soil environmental data, and reporting.
  • Perform professional geotechnical engineering work and assist with proposed and existing site conditions, including subsurface investigations, soil foundation engineering, settlement analysis, advanced earthquake engineering, soil erosion, lateral earth pressures, geological hazards, underground water, and slope stability to determine conformance with applicable rules, standards, construction, or operating permits for commercial, industrial, building, environmental, infrastructure, and transportation projects.
  • Participate in incorporating advanced modeling techniques, concept development, 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.
  • Work as an individual or as part of a cross-functional team of engineers, planners, and scientific professionals to execute project work, assisting with laying out installations, foundations, slopes, retaining structures, embankments, and other systems that are made or supported by soil or rock, calculating costs and quantities of material/equipment/labor, and ensuring project work conforms with specifications, permit applications, compliance documentation, and regulatory and technical analysis memos.
  • Verify the characteristics of a site, providing technical assistance on whether any various environmental, soil surface/subsurface, stress-bearing factors, erosion, settlement, and slope will pose a safety risk to the proposed project.
  • Prepare data and visualizations such as tables, charts, accurate reports, sketches, calculations, and illustrations for the interpretation or presentation of data, findings, or analyses.
  • Assist with development and scoping of small- to medium-sized projects.
  • Contribute to the preparation of technical reports and presentations that explain research and findings to improve, prevent, control, restore, or address design and/or construction issues or problems. 
  • Conduct geotechnical engineering studies and surveys to gain further information on a particular design, issue, and/or to plan for future needs.
  • Assist in the analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of data obtained during field investigations, offering input with developing action plans for low to mid-level risk mitigation activities.
  • Assist with providing direction and technical guidance to junior staff.
  • Assist in the preparation and implementation of site Health and Safety Plans (HASPs).  
  • 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.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Geotechnical Engineering, or closely related discipline.
  • 0 to 1 year of relevant post education experience in engineering discipline and prior geotechnical design experience.
  • Technical knowledge of geotechnical engineering, including: design of deep foundations, shallow foundations, evaluating slope stability, earthquake engineering, retaining wall design, earth retention, rock mechanics, settlement of compressible soils, ground improvement techniques, support of excavation, dewatering, and the application to permitting and project work-related issues. 
  • Understanding of the disciplines of rock and soil mechanics to investigate subsurface and geologic conditions to design and build foundations, earth structures, and pavement sub-grades.
  • Ability to coordinate with agency regulators and understand requirements.
  • Knowledge of relevant remediation, permitting, improvement, and construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
  • Capable interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
  • Effective self-leadership with attention to detail, results orientation, and managing multiple priorities in a dynamic work environment.
  • Ability to learn new techniques, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, follow instruction, work independently, and comply with company policies.
  • Proficiency with technical writing, office automation, software, technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.
  • Experience with discipline-specific design software (i.e., SLIDE, Settle3, SlopeW, SeepW, LPILE, Plaxis, FLACi).
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solution.
  • Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
  • Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
  • Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Engineer in Training Certification.
  • Master’s or Doctorate Degree in geotechnical engineering, or related field.
  • Experience performing numerical modeling related to geotechnical design.
  • Experience managing and delivering projects on time and budget.
  • Basic First Aid and Adult CPR training desired.
  • Prior internship related to the degree of study and the specific engineering discipline.

 Compensation and Benefits: 

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. 

Expected Salary: $70000 - $85000 

WSP USA is providing the compensation range and general description of other compensation and benefits that the company in good faith believes it might pay and/or offer for this position based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities in addition to internal equity and geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, or federal law.

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