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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About Atlas
Atlas is a trusted leader in environmental and infrastructure consulting services; we provide services that enable communities to flourish and thrive. With a team of 3,500 employees and offices throughout the US, we combine local expertise and a network of relationships to deliver solutions to both public and private clients. Our services help improve the quality of life in the communities where we live and work. We always aim for smart, safe, and sustainable results. At Atlas we understand that our future is everyone’s responsibility, and we create a better experience at every stage of a project.
Job Description
At Atlas, we're providing services that enable communities to flourish and thrive, and if you’re a Principal Geotechnical Engineer ready to provide technical leadership for geotechnical investigations, design, construction support, and client and team coordination across diverse public and private projects, and committed to doing meaningful work, then this is your moment. You’ll carry out geotechnical investigations and analyses, prepare technical recommendations, support construction activities, coordinate with clients and project teams, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to business and professional development efforts. Join a dynamic, value-driven, client- and community-focused environment where your work creates a lasting positive impact for the people and communities we serve. Office is located in Lakewood, CO.
Core Responsibilities
Provide technical guidance on geotechnical engineering aspects of a wide range of public- and private-sector projects, ensuring conformance with local, state, and federal guidelines.
Lead geotechnical design, investigation, and analysis for buildings and infrastructure projects, including residential/commercial buildings, bridges, highways, railways, airports, pipelines, and levees/basins.
Direct and supervise subsurface explorations, laboratory testing, geotechnical data interpretation, instrumentation monitoring, and associated geotechnical analyses for foundations, earthwork, slope stability, seepage, lateral earth pressures, and earthquake engineering.
Supervise and lead geotechnical support during construction of geotechnical elements, including shallow foundations, drilled shafts, pile driving, grading, utility trenching, and other earthwork operations.
Liaise with clients, stakeholders, and governmental personnel to ensure comprehensive resolution of geotechnical concerns, while fostering strong long-term client relationships and supporting business development opportunities.
Mentor and train junior geotechnical engineers, maintain involvement in professional associations, and contribute to the state-of-practice of geotechnical engineering through community engagement.
Oversee and maintain our quality program and accreditations.
You’ll thrive here if you have
Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering; master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering preferred.
Minimum 10 years of experience in geotechnical engineering practice with an emphasis on geotechnical design and analysis, geotechnical field investigation, and construction supervision.
The successful candidate must be a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Colorado.
Local experience and familiarity with the local engineering practice required
Strong interpersonal and communication skills essential for team-based working
Extensive geotechnical background including a strong fundamental knowledge of principles of geotechnical engineering, soil and rock mechanics, earthquake engineering, pavement engineering, and groundwater hydrogeology.
Experience with geotechnical software including slope stability packages, pile modeling tools, site response software preferred.
Familiarity with CDOT standards, guidelines, and deliverables is preferred.
Experience in construction oversight for foundation construction and earthwork observation
What you can expect from us
The A-Team Experience is our employee program focused on helping our people thrive professionally, personally and as part of a community. We trust our people to do great work and live fulfilling lives, and we provide resources that care for our people, both at work and in life:
Health & Wellness: We offer medical, dental and vision coverage with multiple plan options, including no-cost employee-only medical coverage.
Time Off & Family Support: We offer vacation time, paid holidays, sick & safety leave (SSL) and paid parental leave
Retirement: We help employees plan for the future with a 401(k) and company match.
Insurance: To provide protection and peace of mind, we offer Life, AD&D (Accidental Death & Dismemberment) and Disability insurance.
Safety Program: We are committed to safety as part of our ‘quality of life’ core value, and we provide approved PPE at no cost and reimbursement for prescription safety glasses and protective footwear.
Learning & Development: We provide clear career paths, learning resources and development programs allowing you to see how you can grow and advance within the company. We offer internal certifications on specific skills and support external credentials through tuition reimbursement.
Belonging: We support Employee Communities (ECs), voluntary, employee-led groups that create connections, belonging and shared purposes.
Flexibility: May vary by project demands and regional workloads, but we are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to help employees manage their personal and professional responsibilities.
Our people and our culture are central to our work. Our values bring us together, create a sense of belonging and give us purpose. They guide how we make decisions, how we work as a team and how we serve our clients.
Life: We enhance the quality of life. We value people and safety above all else.
Heart: As our hallmark, we act with compassion, empathy, and respect.
Trust: We work together as partners, doing what we say with full accountability.
Mastery: Always striving for the highest quality, greatness inspires our work.
About the Job
- Career Level: Senior
- Employment Type: Full-time
- Compensation: $150,000 - $200,000 annual salary
The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the state’s law. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience.
EEO Statement
Atlas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants without regard to race (including hairstyles, hair texture, hair type, or hair length commonly or historically associated with race), ethnicity, creed, religion or religious creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions or requests for pregnancy disability leave and/or family care leave), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, primary language, crime victim status, criminal conviction history, uniformed service member or veteran status, marital status, age, genetic information, disability or protected medical condition, genetics, political affiliation or activities, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.
Notice to Third Party Agencies
Please note that Atlas Technical Consultants does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, Atlas will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, Atlas explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Atlas.
Ready to build a career to be proud of? Join the A-Team today!
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See All 16 Geotechnical Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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 August 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 Lombard 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 50% of geotechnical engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 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 16 Geotechnical Engineer Jobs in Illinois
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