H-1B Visa Geotechnical Engineer Jobs
Geotechnical Engineer roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations under USCIS guidelines, requiring at least a bachelor's degree in geotechnical, civil, or geological engineering. Infrastructure, energy, and environmental firms are among the most active H-1B visa sponsors for this role. The annual H-1B cap is 85,000 slots, with registration opening each March.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
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
Are you looking for interesting and meaningful work, a fun and flexible atmosphere, and opportunities to learn, grow, and excel? If so, then welcome to Schnabel! Schnabel Engineering is seeking a mid-level (Project) Geotechnical Engineer to support our growing practice in North Carolina. Qualified candidates will be well-rounded, organized problem solvers with excellent communication skills and an interest in solving technical challenges. The qualified candidate should possess detailed knowledge of geotechnical theory and have experience with report writing and client interaction. The successful candidate for this position will gain practical knowledge and experience while solving real-world engineering problems under the supervision and mentoring of senior engineering personnel.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop geotechnical engineering scope of services and fee estimates.
- Planning and oversight of geotechnical investigations.
- Manage geotechnical and construction phase observation and testing field work performed by others.
- Assign, review and interpret geotechnical laboratory tests.
- Create basic plans and figures using AutoCAD, GIS, and Microstation.
- Prepare boring logs using gINT and/or OpenGround Cloud software.
- Perform geotechnical engineering analysis and calculations.
- Develop geotechnical engineering recommendations and write geotechnical engineering reports.
- Perform project management activities including communicating resource needs, managing client expectations, planning and delegating work, management of project budgets, invoicing and backlog reporting.
- Manage client relationships and business development opportunities.
- Manage and mentor junior engineers, commensurate with experience level.
- Work as a team member within the geotechnical engineering department and across other Schnabel offices to effectively balance workload among available resources.
- Occasionally perform field work such as logging test borings, construction observation and on-site client consultation.
REQUIRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from an ABET-accredited program
- Professional Engineering registration in North Carolina or ability to obtain registration within 6 months of hire.
- 5+ years of professional experience in consulting geotechnical engineering.
- AutoCAD, GIS, and Microstation skills suitable for developing geotechnical deliverables.
- Proficiency with gINT, BoreDM and/or OpenGround Cloud software.
- Proficiency with standard geotechnical engineering analysis software such as LPILE, APILE and SHAFT, GeoStudio, Settle3D and FoSSA, or similar programs.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Strong work ethic and a desire for continual self-improvement.
- Ability to thrive in a collaborative team environment.
- Confidence and independence, with a shared sense of responsibility.
- Effective time management and interpersonal skills.
- Positive attitude.
- Ability to multi-task.
DESIRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:
- Master’s degree preferred.
- Demonstrated experience with geotechnical engineering for transportation projects, including NCDOT on-call and design-build projects.
- Experience with Microstation and/or OpenRoads software.
- Managerial/mentoring experience.
- Experience with Deltek Vantagepoint software.
- Experience with Microsoft Teams and SharePoint software.
- Experience with Federal projects and the ability to obtain clearance to work on Department of Defense installations.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to lift 60 pounds and be physically able to negotiate construction sites, enter trenches, climb ladders and work outside.
- Ability to perform field work and travel as needed.
- 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 this position is between $82,000 to $118,000. 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 notice from the Department of Labor.
INTRODUCTION
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
Are you looking for interesting and meaningful work, a fun and flexible atmosphere, and opportunities to learn, grow, and excel? If so, then welcome to Schnabel! Schnabel Engineering is seeking a mid-level (Project) Geotechnical Engineer to support our growing practice in North Carolina. Qualified candidates will be well-rounded, organized problem solvers with excellent communication skills and an interest in solving technical challenges. The qualified candidate should possess detailed knowledge of geotechnical theory and have experience with report writing and client interaction. The successful candidate for this position will gain practical knowledge and experience while solving real-world engineering problems under the supervision and mentoring of senior engineering personnel.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop geotechnical engineering scope of services and fee estimates.
- Planning and oversight of geotechnical investigations.
- Manage geotechnical and construction phase observation and testing field work performed by others.
- Assign, review and interpret geotechnical laboratory tests.
- Create basic plans and figures using AutoCAD, GIS, and Microstation.
- Prepare boring logs using gINT and/or OpenGround Cloud software.
- Perform geotechnical engineering analysis and calculations.
- Develop geotechnical engineering recommendations and write geotechnical engineering reports.
- Perform project management activities including communicating resource needs, managing client expectations, planning and delegating work, management of project budgets, invoicing and backlog reporting.
- Manage client relationships and business development opportunities.
- Manage and mentor junior engineers, commensurate with experience level.
- Work as a team member within the geotechnical engineering department and across other Schnabel offices to effectively balance workload among available resources.
- Occasionally perform field work such as logging test borings, construction observation and on-site client consultation.
REQUIRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from an ABET-accredited program
- Professional Engineering registration in North Carolina or ability to obtain registration within 6 months of hire.
- 5+ years of professional experience in consulting geotechnical engineering.
- AutoCAD, GIS, and Microstation skills suitable for developing geotechnical deliverables.
- Proficiency with gINT, BoreDM and/or OpenGround Cloud software.
- Proficiency with standard geotechnical engineering analysis software such as LPILE, APILE and SHAFT, GeoStudio, Settle3D and FoSSA, or similar programs.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Strong work ethic and a desire for continual self-improvement.
- Ability to thrive in a collaborative team environment.
- Confidence and independence, with a shared sense of responsibility.
- Effective time management and interpersonal skills.
- Positive attitude.
- Ability to multi-task.
DESIRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:
- Master’s degree preferred.
- Demonstrated experience with geotechnical engineering for transportation projects, including NCDOT on-call and design-build projects.
- Experience with Microstation and/or OpenRoads software.
- Managerial/mentoring experience.
- Experience with Deltek Vantagepoint software.
- Experience with Microsoft Teams and SharePoint software.
- Experience with Federal projects and the ability to obtain clearance to work on Department of Defense installations.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to lift 60 pounds and be physically able to negotiate construction sites, enter trenches, climb ladders and work outside.
- Ability to perform field work and travel as needed.
- 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 this position is between $82,000 to $118,000. 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 notice from the Department of Labor.
See all 521+ H-1B Visa Geotechnical Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Geotechnical Engineer
Verify your degree meets specialty occupation standards
USCIS requires your degree field to directly relate to geotechnical engineering work. A civil or geological engineering degree typically qualifies, but an unrelated bachelor's plus years of experience may trigger an RFE. Confirm the match before applying.
Target employers with active LCA filing history
Use Migrate Mate to filter geotechnical engineering roles by employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications for this occupation code, so you're applying to companies already set up to sponsor rather than educating employers from scratch.
Use OFLC Wage Search before negotiating your offer
Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the DOL prevailing wage for your specific SOC code and work location. Pull the OFLC Wage Search figures for your metro area before accepting an offer so you know the floor.
Get your PE license timeline into the conversation early
Many geotechnical roles require or strongly prefer a Professional Engineer license. If you're working toward licensure, clarify with the employer whether your H-1B petition will list PE as a requirement, since that affects how USCIS evaluates specialty occupation.
Confirm project-site work is covered in your I-129
Geotechnical engineers frequently work across multiple field sites, not just a single office. USCIS requires a certified LCA for each worksite location. Ask your employer's immigration team how they handle site-specific LCA compliance before your petition is filed.
Register in March, not after lottery selection
H-1B registration opens in early March each fiscal year and closes within about two weeks. If you're waiting for a strong offer before prompting your employer to register, you'll miss the window. Align your job search timeline so an offer lands before March.
H-1B Visa Geotechnical Engineer: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a geotechnical engineer role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes. USCIS consistently recognizes geotechnical engineering as a specialty occupation because the role requires theoretical and practical application of highly specialized engineering knowledge normally acquired through a bachelor's degree or higher in geotechnical, civil, or geological engineering. Most standard job descriptions in the field satisfy this requirement without additional documentation.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for geotechnical engineers?
Engineering consulting firms, infrastructure contractors, mining and energy companies, and federal or state transportation agencies are among the most frequent H-1B sponsors for geotechnical roles. Environmental remediation and dam safety firms also file regularly. Use Migrate Mate to browse geotechnical engineer positions specifically filtered for employers with H-1B filing history.
How does frequent fieldwork across multiple project sites affect my H-1B petition?
USCIS and DOL require a separate certified LCA for each worksite where you'll perform work for more than a limited period. If your role involves rotating across active project sites, your employer must either file multiple LCAs or use a short-term placement provision. Clarify this with your employer's immigration counsel before the I-129 is submitted to avoid compliance gaps.
Does not yet having a Professional Engineer license affect my H-1B approval?
It depends on how the employer drafts the job description. If the position lists PE licensure as a requirement, USCIS expects you to meet it or have a credible path to meeting it. If PE is listed as preferred rather than required, it typically doesn't affect approval. Ask the employer to confirm the language before filing.
What SOC code is used for geotechnical engineers on an H-1B LCA?
Geotechnical engineers are most commonly filed under SOC 17-2051 (Civil Engineers), though some employers use 17-2199 (Engineers, All Other) depending on how the role is scoped. The SOC code determines the prevailing wage your employer must certify. You can cross-reference the occupation definition using O*NET and verify the corresponding wage floor through the OFLC Wage Search for your work location.