OPT Geotechnical Engineer Jobs
Geotechnical Engineer roles involve soil analysis, site investigation, and foundation design work that typically requires a bachelor's or master's degree in civil or geotechnical engineering. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations under OPT, and STEM OPT extensions are widely available, giving you up to three years of authorized work.
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Do you want to build an impactful career to change the world for the better?
Geosyntec is seeking an Early Career Civil/Geotechnical Engineer (Dams & Levees) in our Davis, California, office to support dams, levees, and other water infrastructure projects. In this role, you will apply your academic background to real-world dam safety, flood protection, water containment, and heavy civil infrastructure work while learning from experienced civil, geotechnical, and risk-informed-design professionals. You will gain hands-on experience in dam and levee design, field investigations, engineering analysis, construction engineering support, construction observation, and technical reporting. This position provides a strong foundation for a consulting career through practical field experience, technical development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentorship on resilient infrastructure solutions.
Geosyntec is an innovative, international engineering and consulting firm serving private and public-sector clients to address new ventures and complex problems involving our environment, natural resources, and civil infrastructure. Our engineers, scientists, and technical professionals serve our clients worldwide. Ranked by ENR as one of the top environmental engineering design firms, Geosyntec is internationally known for its technical leadership, broad experience, and exceptional client service.
We invest in our people. Each employee’s journey at Geosyntec is unique. We offer competitive pay and benefits, and well-being programs to support you and your family.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Support dam and levee design projects.
- Participate in field investigations for dams, levees, embankments, and related water infrastructure, including drilling observation, sampling, logging, and field documentation.
- Assist with site inspections, condition assessments, and engineering evaluations of existing dams, levees, spillways, outlet works, and appurtenant structures.
- Perform basic civil and/or geotechnical calculations and data evaluations with senior guidance, including slope stability, seepage, and settlement.
- Contribute to design and rehabilitation projects involving embankments, foundations, seepage controls, drainage systems, erosion protection, and retaining structures.
- Prepare field notes, data summaries, calculations, reports, drawings, specifications, and other project deliverables.
- Perform construction observation and quality assurance for earthwork, foundation preparation, materials testing, and instrumentation installation.
- Work with multidisciplinary teams to develop practical, constructible solutions for public and private clients.
- Drive personal, company, and rental vehicles to client or company office sites, project sites, and other business locations, as needed.
EDUCATION AND LICENSURE:
- Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, geological engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline. (required)
- Coursework or academic project experience in soil mechanics, foundation engineering, slope stability, seepage, earth structures, or dam/levee engineering. (preferred)
- Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification. (preferred)
SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:
- Prior internship or work experience in engineering. (preferred)
- Interest in dams, levees, water infrastructure, earthworks, foundations, and heavy civil construction.
- Familiarity with geotechnical field methods, laboratory testing, soil and rock classification, groundwater observations, and subsurface data interpretation. (preferred)
- Exposure to AutoCAD/Civil 3D or similar tools. (preferred)
- Strong written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, sound engineering judgment, and willingness to learn from senior technical mentors. (required)
- Ability to work in field and office settings, including field work and overnight travel. (required)
- Health & Safety training, medical monitoring, and client-driven drug and background testing. (required)
- Valid U.S. driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record for business travel. (required)
COMPENSATION:
- Minimum: $73,880 /year / Maximum: $92,350/year (Davis, CA)
We offer a comprehensive benefits package including, paid holidays, vacation, sick, and personal paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, 401(k), and other benefits to eligible employees.
Overview:
Do you want to build an impactful career to change the world for the better?
Geosyntec is seeking an Early Career Civil/Geotechnical Engineer (Dams & Levees) in our Davis, California, office to support dams, levees, and other water infrastructure projects. In this role, you will apply your academic background to real-world dam safety, flood protection, water containment, and heavy civil infrastructure work while learning from experienced civil, geotechnical, and risk-informed-design professionals. You will gain hands-on experience in dam and levee design, field investigations, engineering analysis, construction engineering support, construction observation, and technical reporting. This position provides a strong foundation for a consulting career through practical field experience, technical development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentorship on resilient infrastructure solutions.
Geosyntec is an innovative, international engineering and consulting firm serving private and public-sector clients to address new ventures and complex problems involving our environment, natural resources, and civil infrastructure. Our engineers, scientists, and technical professionals serve our clients worldwide. Ranked by ENR as one of the top environmental engineering design firms, Geosyntec is internationally known for its technical leadership, broad experience, and exceptional client service.
We invest in our people. Each employee’s journey at Geosyntec is unique. We offer competitive pay and benefits, and well-being programs to support you and your family.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Support dam and levee design projects.
- Participate in field investigations for dams, levees, embankments, and related water infrastructure, including drilling observation, sampling, logging, and field documentation.
- Assist with site inspections, condition assessments, and engineering evaluations of existing dams, levees, spillways, outlet works, and appurtenant structures.
- Perform basic civil and/or geotechnical calculations and data evaluations with senior guidance, including slope stability, seepage, and settlement.
- Contribute to design and rehabilitation projects involving embankments, foundations, seepage controls, drainage systems, erosion protection, and retaining structures.
- Prepare field notes, data summaries, calculations, reports, drawings, specifications, and other project deliverables.
- Perform construction observation and quality assurance for earthwork, foundation preparation, materials testing, and instrumentation installation.
- Work with multidisciplinary teams to develop practical, constructible solutions for public and private clients.
- Drive personal, company, and rental vehicles to client or company office sites, project sites, and other business locations, as needed.
EDUCATION AND LICENSURE:
- Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, geological engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline. (required)
- Coursework or academic project experience in soil mechanics, foundation engineering, slope stability, seepage, earth structures, or dam/levee engineering. (preferred)
- Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification. (preferred)
SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:
- Prior internship or work experience in engineering. (preferred)
- Interest in dams, levees, water infrastructure, earthworks, foundations, and heavy civil construction.
- Familiarity with geotechnical field methods, laboratory testing, soil and rock classification, groundwater observations, and subsurface data interpretation. (preferred)
- Exposure to AutoCAD/Civil 3D or similar tools. (preferred)
- Strong written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, sound engineering judgment, and willingness to learn from senior technical mentors. (required)
- Ability to work in field and office settings, including field work and overnight travel. (required)
- Health & Safety training, medical monitoring, and client-driven drug and background testing. (required)
- Valid U.S. driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record for business travel. (required)
COMPENSATION:
- Minimum: $73,880 /year / Maximum: $92,350/year (Davis, CA)
We offer a comprehensive benefits package including, paid holidays, vacation, sick, and personal paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, 401(k), and other benefits to eligible employees.
See all 245+ OPT Geotechnical Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Geotechnical Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Geotechnical Engineer
Target firms with active infrastructure projects
Engineering consultancies working on federal highway, transit, or dam projects file LCAs regularly and are accustomed to sponsoring visas. These firms have established HR processes for work authorization, making them far more receptive to OPT candidates than smaller local firms.
Confirm your degree field matches the role
Geotechnical engineering positions typically require a degree in civil, geotechnical, or structural engineering. A degree in a loosely related field may complicate H-1B visa sponsorship later, so verify your degree field aligns before investing time in an application.
Pursue your EIT or FE certification early
The Engineer in Training credential signals commitment to professional licensure in the United States. Many geotechnical employers prioritize candidates working toward their PE license, and holding the FE strengthens both your application and your case for future visa sponsorship.
Emphasize field and lab experience on your resume
Employers value hands-on experience with soil borings, triaxial testing, and site characterization. Listing specific equipment, software like PLAXIS or gINT, and field investigation methods demonstrates technical depth that compensates for concerns about short OPT authorization timelines.
Ask about sponsorship policy before the final interview
Raise the sponsorship question after you have demonstrated value, ideally before a formal offer stage. Framing it as confirming next steps rather than asking a favor gives the employer context to evaluate feasibility without feeling pressured early in the process.
Apply to firms with prior H-1B filings in your specialty
Geotechnical and environmental engineering consultancies that have sponsored before understand the process and associated costs. Searching DOL disclosure data for firms filing LCAs under civil engineering job codes helps you identify employers who are genuinely open to sponsoring.
Geotechnical Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Geotechnical Engineer role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Yes. Geotechnical engineering falls under CIP code 14.0802, which is on the official STEM Designated Degree Program list. If your degree is in civil, geotechnical, or a closely related engineering discipline, you qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of total OPT work authorization.
Where can I find Geotechnical Engineer jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for candidates who need visa sponsorship, so you're not wading through postings from employers who won't consider OPT. Geotechnical roles at engineering consultancies, state DOT contractors, and environmental firms appear regularly. Browsing by role type on Migrate Mate saves significant time compared to unfiltered job searches.
Can I work for a government agency as a Geotechnical Engineer on OPT?
Federal government positions are generally closed to non-citizens, which rules out direct federal employment. However, state transportation departments and municipal engineering offices do hire OPT students in some cases. The most common path is through private engineering firms contracted to government agencies, where citizenship restrictions do not apply to the consulting staff.
What happens to my OPT authorization if my geotechnical employer goes through a project slowdown?
OPT requires that your employment be directly related to your degree field, but it does not require continuous full-time employment. You have a 90-day unemployment buffer on standard OPT and 150 days on STEM OPT. If a project slowdown reduces your hours significantly, confirm with your DSO whether your situation still satisfies the employment reporting requirements before your next reporting deadline.
Does freelance or contract geotechnical consulting work count as valid OPT employment?
Yes, self-employment and contract work are permitted under OPT rules, provided the work is directly related to your geotechnical engineering degree. You must be able to demonstrate an actual working relationship, which means having a contract, invoices, or other documentation showing the scope of services. Your DSO will need details about the arrangement for your SEVIS reporting obligations.