Geotechnical Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX

The Opportunity:

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock is seeking a skilled and motivated Geotechnical Engineer to join the Production Engineering Department in Houston, Texas. This role supports dredging and marine construction projects by evaluating subsurface conditions, managing geotechnical data, supporting bid and execution teams, and helping translate ground conditions into practical production, risk, and constructability guidance.

The Geotechnical Engineer will work closely with estimating, engineering, operations, project teams, laboratories, and field personnel to improve understanding of soils, dredged material behavior, and geotechnical risks throughout the project lifecycle.

This Geotechnical Engineer is important because subsurface conditions directly influence dredging productivity, equipment selection, excavation approach, bid assumptions, project risk, and field execution. The Geotechnical Engineer will help ensure that soil and site condition data are properly interpreted, organized, and communicated so project teams can make informed decisions from estimate through completion.

About the Company:

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation is the largest provider of dredging services in the United States. In addition, Great Lakes is fully engaged in expanding its core business into the rapidly developing offshore wind energy industry. The Company has a long history of performing significant international projects. The Company employs experienced civil, ocean and mechanical engineering staff in its estimating, production and project management functions. In its over 136-year history, the Company has never failed to complete a marine project. Great Lakes owns and operates the largest and most diverse fleet in the U.S. dredging industry, comprised of approximately 200 specialized vessels. Great Lakes has a disciplined training program for engineers that ensures experienced-based performance as they advance through Company operations. The Company’s Incident-and Injury-Free® (IIF®) safety management program is integrated into all aspects of the Company’s culture. The Company’s commitment to the IIF® culture promotes a work environment where employee safety is paramount.

Key Responsibilities:

• Geotechnical Evaluation & Project Support: Evaluate subsurface geology, boring logs, laboratory test results, survey information, environmental data, and topographic information to define ground conditions for dredging and marine construction projects.
• Bid and Execution Support: Prepare geotechnical summaries, risk assessments, and technical guidance for estimating, operations, and management teams during bid development and active project execution.
• Field Investigation & Quality Management: Plan, coordinate, and supervise marine and coastal geotechnical investigations as needed; working with contractors and laboratories in proper sample collection, testing, documentation, and compliance with project
  requirements.
• Data and Reporting: Develop clear geotechnical reports, project summaries, drawings, and visual aids that communicate soil conditions, dredging considerations, environmental constraints, and constructability risks to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Geotechnical Systems: Support the integration, quality control, and long-term management of geotechnical data, including the transition of project information into a global geotechnical information platform.
• Cross-Functional Communication: Collaborate with estimating, production engineering, project operations, and management to ensure geotechnical findings are understood and incorporated into project decisions.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering Geology, or a related technical discipline; Master’s degree beneficial.
• Five (5) or more years of progressive geotechnical engineering experience, preferably supporting dredging, marine construction, coastal infrastructure, offshore construction, or heavy civil projects.
• Experience planning, coordinating, and reviewing marine or coastal geotechnical
  investigations, including soil borings, sampling programs, laboratory testing, and field documentation.
• Working knowledge of soils and soil behavior as it relates excavation difficulty, slope stability, bearing capacity, settlement, and reclamation.
• Ability to manage and interpret large geotechnical data sets and communicate findings clearly to engineers, estimators, project teams, operations personnel, and management.
• Strong analytical, organizational, interpersonal, oral communication, and technical writing skills.
• Ability to prioritize work, manage multiple project needs, work independently, and contribute effectively as part of a cross-functional engineering team.

Required Software and Technical Skills:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams; able to organize, clean, analyze, and present geotechnical and project data.
• Previous experience with geotechnical database platforms such as gINT and OpenGround is preferred.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD/Civil 3D or similar drafting tools for reviewing and preparing drawings, site plans, sections, and geotechnical visual aids.
• Familiarity with geotechnical analysis tools, data visualization tools, GIS platforms, or engineering databases is beneficial.
• Occasional travel to project sites, laboratories, vendor locations, or field investigation locations may be required.
• Must have current authorization to be employed in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and bonus program.
• 401(k) program that includes 100% company matching of the first 6% of employee contributions with immediate vesting.
• Annual profit-sharing contributions by the company to participants’ 401(k) accounts based on company’s annual performance.
• Medical, Dental, Prescription, Vision, Life and Disability insurance plans.