Geotechnical Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Geotechnical Engineer jobs in Virginia draw consistent demand across transportation infrastructure, federal defense contracting, and commercial development, with openings at every level from entry-level field technician support roles through senior project engineers and principals. The largest concentrations of hiring are in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads metro, where firms like AECOM, Terracon, and Dewberry maintain established Virginia offices and take on large public and private projects. Slope stability analysis, geotechnical instrumentation, and foundation design for transportation and federal facilities are the specialties in highest demand. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Schnabel is an employee-owned, professional engineering and consulting firm that focuses on solving problems related to the earth and environment through specialization in geotechnical, geostructural, tunnel, and dam engineering. Schnabel’s high standards for quality, business ethics, and concern for the communities in which we live are a vital part of who we are. Schnabel is an ENR Top 500 Design Firm with 700+ employees in 32 offices throughout the United States.
Recognized by CE News as one of the Best Engineering Firms to Work for, Schnabel provides employees with a competitive benefits package including maternity leave, tuition reimbursement for continuing education, health, dental, life and disability insurance and a wellness program. As an employee-owned company, through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, Schnabel employees directly benefit from the success of our growing firm.
Benefit options include:
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending accounts
- Employee life & ADD insurance (100% company-paid)
- Short-term disability (100% company-paid)
- Long-term disability
- Supplemental life insurance
- 401(k) and profit-sharing plan
- Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)
- Bonus program
- Paid time off
- 9 Paid Holidays
- Wellness program
- Professional development and tuition reimbursement
Job Description:
Schnabel Engineering is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to support our growing business in Richmond, VA. Qualified candidates will be well-rounded, organized problem solvers with an interest in managing complex projects and developing younger staff. They should also possess detailed knowledge of geotechnical engineering services for transportation, vertical construction, water/wastewater and power and energy projects.
Job Responsibilities:
- Develop geotechnical engineering scope of services and fee estimates
- Lead the planning, execution, and technical oversight of advanced geotechnical investigations
- Assign, review and interpret geotechnical laboratory tests
- Perform/review geotechnical engineering analyses and calculations
- Develop geotechnical engineering recommendations and write geotechnical engineering reports
- Provide engineering support on geotechnical aspects of construction
- Perform project management activities including communicating resource needs, managing client expectations, planning and delegating work, management of project budgets, invoicing and backlog reporting
- Work as a team member within the office and across the business unit in other Schnabel offices to effectively balance workload among available resources
- Participate in business development as a seller-doer
- Act as a trusted advisor to clients
- Contribute to firmwide leadership initiatives and help shape the future of the practice through thought leadership, including publishing, speaking engagements, and participation in industry-leading organizations.
- Help strengthen Schnabel’s position as a leader in geotechnical engineering, reinforcing our reputation for technical excellence, quality, and client service.
Required Skills/Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from an ABET-accredited program
- 10+ years of progressive experience in geotechnical engineering, including supporting or leading complex infrastructure projects
- Project management experience
- Demonstrated expertise in advanced geotechnical analysis
- Recognized for technical credibility, sound judgment, and the ability to solve complex engineering challenges
- Excellent oral and written communications skills
- Strong professional work ethic and desire to perform at a high level
- Ability to work independently or as part of a multi-person team
- Attention to detail and well-organized
- Ability to lift 60 pounds and be physically able to negotiate construction sites, enter trenches, climb ladders and work outside
Other Requirements:
- Ability to pass a background check which may include criminal history, motor vehicle record, and credit check
- Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screening
The compensation range for 10+ years of experience is between $105,000 to $145,000.
Compensation for this position may vary based on geographic location and other factors. We remain committed to providing competitive and equitable compensation to all employees, regardless of their location.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 35 Geotechnical Engineer Jobs in Virginia
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Find Geotechnical Engineer JobsGeotechnical Engineer Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Geotechnical Engineer Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Technology & Software
- Construction & Real Estate
- Government & Public Sector
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in geotechnical engineer jobs across Virginia.
- Active Virginia Professional Engineer license or eligibility for reciprocal licensure required
- Bachelor's degree in civil, geotechnical, or geological engineering from an accredited program
- Experience with geotechnical investigation, sampling, and laboratory testing methods
- Proficiency in geotechnical software such as PLAXIS, GeoStudio, or SLOPE/W
- Familiarity with VDOT specifications and Virginia Department of Transportation project requirements
- Strong technical report writing and client communication skills for project deliverables
Geotechnical Engineer Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a geotechnical engineer in Virginia?
You become a licensed geotechnical engineer in Virginia by earning an ABET-accredited engineering degree, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, gaining four years of progressive engineering experience, and passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam in geotechnical engineering. The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation issues the Professional Engineer license. Many Virginia employers also expect familiarity with VDOT standards and federal agency project requirements.
How much do geotechnical engineers make in Virginia?
Geotechnical engineers in Virginia earn a median of about $97,120 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $74,000 for the lowest 10% to over $150,710 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire geotechnical engineers in Virginia?
Employers hiring geotechnical engineers in Virginia right now include Schnabel Engineering, ECS Limited, and Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Virginia's federal contracting base and active VDOT program mean that both large national engineering firms and regional specialty geotechnical consultants maintain steady hiring pipelines across the state.
Which Virginia cities have the most geotechnical engineer jobs?
Virginia Beach, Blacksburg, and Richmond have the most geotechnical engineer openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia's concentration of federal agencies, defense contractors, and large infrastructure programs drives the heaviest demand there, while Richmond's ongoing transportation and commercial development projects and Hampton Roads' port, military, and coastal infrastructure work sustain consistent hiring across those metros.
Are there remote geotechnical engineer jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but they're rare. Geotechnical engineering is fundamentally field- and site-driven, so most roles require physical presence for investigations, drilling oversight, and construction monitoring. About 17% of geotechnical engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to be senior roles focused on report writing, data analysis, and project management rather than field work.
How can I get hired as a geotechnical engineer in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a geotechnical engineer intern or staff engineer I role at one of the large Virginia-based engineering consultancies, which regularly hire new graduates for field investigation and lab testing support. Firms like AECOM, Terracon, and Dewberry run structured new-graduate programs in their Virginia offices. Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam before or shortly after graduation and gaining any field sampling or Proctor testing experience through coursework or internships gives candidates a clear edge over peers without it.
Where can I find and apply to geotechnical engineer jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to geotechnical engineer jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings from employers actively hiring now. Find the roles that fit your experience and specialty and apply directly to each one.
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