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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Overview

Open roles16
Top employerKiewit
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring7
Work type50% On-site
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 16+ Geotechnical Engineer jobs

Atlas Technical Consultants
Principal Geotechnical Engineer
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Atlas Technical Consultants
Added 1w ago
Principal Geotechnical Engineer
Atlas Technical Consultants
Chicago, Illinois
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering
Product Management
$150k - $200k/yr
1,001-5,000

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Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.
Geotechnical Engineer - Project Manager
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Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.
Added 2w ago
Geotechnical Engineer - Project Manager
Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.
Naperville, Illinois
Business Strategy
Product Management
Project Management
$84k - $154k/yr
Bachelor's degree
1,001-5,000

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Hanson Professional Services
Senior Geotechnical Engineer
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Hanson Professional Services
Added 2w ago
Senior Geotechnical Engineer
Hanson Professional Services
Springfield, Illinois
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
Master's degree
501-1,000

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Langan Engineering and Environmental Services
Entry-Level Geotechnical Engineer
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Langan Engineering and Environmental Services
Added 1mo ago
Entry-Level Geotechnical Engineer
Langan Engineering and Environmental Services
Chicago, Illinois
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
$65k - $89k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Burns & McDonnell
Assistant Geotechnical Engineer (Chicago)
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Burns & McDonnell
Added 1mo ago
Assistant Geotechnical Engineer (Chicago)
Burns & McDonnell
Chicago, Illinois
Civil Engineering
Construction Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
$75k - $110k/yr
Bachelor of Science
5,001-10,000

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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.

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Geotechnical Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chicago
8 jobs
Cary
2 jobs
Lombard
2 jobs
Itasca
1 job
Naperville
1 job
Northbrook
1 job
Springfield
1 job

Geotechnical Engineer Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Kiewit
Kiewit2 open roles
Schnabel
Schnabel2 open roles
Sargent & Lundy
Sargent & Lundy2 open roles

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

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Geotechnical Engineer Jobs