Geotechnical Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Geotechnical Engineer jobs in Illinois are steadily active, with consistent demand concentrated in infrastructure development, transportation, and commercial construction, and openings ranging from entry-level staff engineers through senior project leads. Chicago and its surrounding suburbs anchor most hiring, with additional activity in Rockford and Peoria, where infrastructure investment and industrial development continue to drive project pipelines. Firms like Terracon, Wiss Janney Elstner Associates, and Smith Group maintain a lasting Illinois presence and hire regularly across site investigation, foundation design, and slope stability specialties. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Within the HBK organization, Geotechnical Engineer will support a range of design tasks including soil borings supervision, geotechnical report preparation, and geotechnical analysis and design. This role involves close coordination with engineers and administrative staff to ensure accurate and timely project delivery.
Our Geotechnical Team’s service offerings include, but are not limited to:
- Design and analysis of shallow and deep foundations, slope stability, settlement and bearing capacity
- Design of Earth Retention Systems, dewatering systems, and rock/soil engineering.
- Onsite evaluations related to phase 2 design and phase 3 construction observation.
- Preparation of calculations, technical reports, specifications, and project drawings.
- Collaboration with structural designers and engineers to resolve design challenges and support project development.
HBK projects span the US and our team is growing to support the increasing demand for our services.
Work Locations: Chicago or Oak Brook, IL, Norristown or Philadelphia, PA, Spring, TX, Denver, CO, Lake Mary, FL, or Iowa City, IA,
- Produce detailed calculations and documentation for earth retention designs
- Prepare and/or review calculations related to shallow and deep foundations as well as bearing capacity and slope stability
- Perform dewatering design
- Coordinate drilling and lab testing
- Collaborate with engineers and designers across disciplines to resolve design challenges and support project development.
- Maintain organized project electronic files and archives
- Contribute to proposal preparation
- B.S./M.S. Degree in Civil Engineering with a concentration in geotechnical engineering
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in geotechnical engineering
- Strong attention to detail with excellent analytical and judgement capabilities
- Working knowledge of Mathcad and design software (PYWall, Lpile, Slide)
- Strong technical skills in a wide range of geotechnical analysis and design
- Computer skills including CADD, word processing, and spreadsheets
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- PE registration
- Construction experience
- Utilities experience
- Earth Retention System Design experience
What You'll Get:
- Leadership opportunities through coaching and mentoring responsibilities
- Professional growth with increased independence and minimal oversight
- Experience in peer review processes under professional engineering supervision
- Advanced project management and risk management experience
- Enhanced client communication and technical reporting responsibilities
- Field experience through walkdowns and stakeholder interactions
- Travel opportunities for project work and professional development
- Collaborative work environment with project management and engineering leadership
- Clear career progression pathway within the HBK Organization's Engineering Track
- Continued preparation for Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.
- Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, disability and employer paid life insurance. In addition, all full-time roles are also eligible for 401(k) retirement plan with company match, paid time off and holidays. Tuition reimbursement and other role specific company paid professional development opportunities are also available.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
We prohibit all types of discrimination and are committed to providing access and equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. For additional information or if reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application, interview, or hiring processes or to perform the essential functions of a position, please contact us the Company’s Human Resources department.
See All 18 Geotechnical Engineer Jobs in Illinois
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Find Geotechnical Engineer JobsGeotechnical Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Geotechnical Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Energy
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in geotechnical engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Illinois Professional Engineer license or active pursuit of PE licensure required
- Bachelor's or master's degree in civil, geotechnical, or geological engineering
- Proficiency with geotechnical analysis software such as GINT, PLAXIS, or SLOPE/W
- Field experience conducting borings, soil sampling, and subsurface investigation programs
- Familiarity with IDOT standards and Illinois transportation infrastructure project requirements
- Strong technical report writing skills for geotechnical investigation and foundation design deliverables
Geotechnical Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a geotechnical engineer in Illinois?
Becoming a geotechnical engineer in Illinois requires earning a bachelor's degree in civil or geotechnical engineering from an ABET-accredited program, then obtaining licensure through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Candidates first pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam to become an Engineer Intern, then accumulate qualifying experience before sitting for the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam to earn a Professional Engineer license, which most Illinois employers require or strongly prefer.
How much do geotechnical engineers make in Illinois?
Geotechnical engineers in Illinois earn a median of about $99,760 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $69,590 for the lowest 10% to over $157,410 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire geotechnical engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring geotechnical engineers in Illinois right now include Kiewit, Schnabel, and Sargent & Lundy, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's dense infrastructure and transportation project workload means engineering consultancies and public-sector contractors are among the most consistent sources of openings across the Chicago metro and downstate markets.
Which Illinois cities have the most geotechnical engineer jobs?
Chicago, Cary, and Oak Brook lead Illinois for geotechnical engineer openings, reflecting where infrastructure investment, commercial construction, and public-sector project activity are most concentrated. Chicago drives the bulk of demand through major transit, highway, and urban development programs, while suburban and secondary markets like Rockford and Peoria generate steady work tied to industrial facilities and regional transportation corridors.
Are there remote geotechnical engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. About 44% of geotechnical engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, which reflects the hands-on, field-intensive nature of most geotechnical work. The portions of the role most compatible with remote arrangements are report writing, data analysis, and project management tasks rather than site investigation or drilling supervision.
How can I get hired as a geotechnical engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to engineering consultancies in the Chicago metro that regularly hire staff engineers or field technicians straight out of college, including firms like Terracon and Geosyntec that run structured new-graduate programs. Lateral entry from soil science, geology, or construction materials testing roles is common, and passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam early signals commitment to PE licensure, which gives candidates a clear edge with Illinois employers screening entry-level applicants.
Where can I find and apply to geotechnical engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to geotechnical engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Search the listings, find roles that match your experience and location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 18 Geotechnical Engineer Jobs in Illinois
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