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.
See All OPT Geotechnical Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 289+ Geotechnical Engineer jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 289+ Geotechnical Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Geotechnical Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Do you want to build an impactful career to change the world for the better?
Geosyntec has an exciting opportunity for an Early Career Geotechnical Engineer in our Chicago or Oak Brook, IL office. The position will have the opportunity to apply academic knowledge to real-world situations on projects involving site characterization; landfill design and construction; earth retaining structures; deep and soft/weak foundations; dams and water containment structures; forensic investigations and litigation support; geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring; numerical analysis of stability and deformation; and geohazard / earthquake characterization / mitigation, while learning the business skills needed for a successful consulting career.
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, technical and project employees serve our clients from offices across the world. 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 is unique, and your career at Geosyntec will be too. We offer competitive pay and benefits, and well-being programs to support you and your family.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conducting geotechnical field investigations;
- Monitoring heavy civil construction projects;
- Performing and reviewing engineering calculations;
- Earthquake engineering;
- Landfill design and permitting;
- Dam and levee evaluations;
- Developing construction documents; and
- Writing and reviewing engineering reports.
- Drive personal, company, and rental vehicles to client or company project or office sites, and other business locations, as needed.
EDUCATION AND LICENSURE:
- Bachelor's degree in civil and/or environmental engineering. (required)
- Advanced degree in the same. (preferred)
SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:
- Prior internship or work experience in engineering consulting. (preferred)
- At least 2 years of related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. (preferred)
- Experience with geotechnical and engineering software such as AutoCAD, Geostudio, Rocscience and PLAXIS. (preferred)
- Regular 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)
This opportunity will be posted for at least five days. Below are the potential compensation ranges that we in good faith believe are applicable for this role at the time of this posting and are only applicable for jobs to be performed in the specified location(s) below. The typical base salary range for this position is just one component of Geosyntec’s total compensation package for employees. Actual compensation will be determined based on education, experience, skill set and location.
COMPENSATION
- Minimum Salary: $70,520/year / Maximum Salary: $102,080/year (Chicago, Oak Brook, IL)
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.
INTRODUCTION
Do you want to build an impactful career to change the world for the better?
Geosyntec has an exciting opportunity for an Early Career Geotechnical Engineer in our Chicago or Oak Brook, IL office. The position will have the opportunity to apply academic knowledge to real-world situations on projects involving site characterization; landfill design and construction; earth retaining structures; deep and soft/weak foundations; dams and water containment structures; forensic investigations and litigation support; geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring; numerical analysis of stability and deformation; and geohazard / earthquake characterization / mitigation, while learning the business skills needed for a successful consulting career.
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, technical and project employees serve our clients from offices across the world. 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 is unique, and your career at Geosyntec will be too. We offer competitive pay and benefits, and well-being programs to support you and your family.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conducting geotechnical field investigations;
- Monitoring heavy civil construction projects;
- Performing and reviewing engineering calculations;
- Earthquake engineering;
- Landfill design and permitting;
- Dam and levee evaluations;
- Developing construction documents; and
- Writing and reviewing engineering reports.
- Drive personal, company, and rental vehicles to client or company project or office sites, and other business locations, as needed.
EDUCATION AND LICENSURE:
- Bachelor's degree in civil and/or environmental engineering. (required)
- Advanced degree in the same. (preferred)
SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:
- Prior internship or work experience in engineering consulting. (preferred)
- At least 2 years of related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. (preferred)
- Experience with geotechnical and engineering software such as AutoCAD, Geostudio, Rocscience and PLAXIS. (preferred)
- Regular 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)
This opportunity will be posted for at least five days. Below are the potential compensation ranges that we in good faith believe are applicable for this role at the time of this posting and are only applicable for jobs to be performed in the specified location(s) below. The typical base salary range for this position is just one component of Geosyntec’s total compensation package for employees. Actual compensation will be determined based on education, experience, skill set and location.
COMPENSATION
- Minimum Salary: $70,520/year / Maximum Salary: $102,080/year (Chicago, Oak Brook, IL)
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 289+ 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.