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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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Shannon & Wilson is an employee-owned consulting firm headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Committed to technical excellence and high-quality service, we provide integrated geotechnical engineering, engineering geology, environmental and natural resource services for clients. Since 1954, we have delivered comprehensive engineering and environmental solutions for the most challenging infrastructure planning, design, permitting and construction conditions.
We are dedicated to improving our communities, preserving the environment and utilizing the most innovative science practices in all our work.
Responsibilities:
- Perform geotechnical engineering and geological analyses and calculations.
- Prepare and write engineering and other reports.
- Perform field explorations, collection of samples, geologic reconnaissance, and mapping.
- Perform with construction observation on job sites and prepare summary logs and other documentation.
- Perform geotechnical lab testing and communicate results.
- Interact and communicate with clients, vendors, and staff at all levels.
- Support marketing activities, including preparation of cost proposals.
- Follow Shannon & Wilson’s Quality Assurance policy.
- Follow and promote Shannon and Wilson’s Health and Safety and Loss Prevention policies.
- Perform other duties as assigned by your supervisor.
REQUIREMENTS
- BS in Civil Engineering required; and MS or PhD Degree in Geotechnical Engineering strongly preferred.
- 0 - 6 years of experience in Geotechnical Engineering.
- Have obtained or in process of receiving a Engineer-in-Training Certificate.
- On track to obtain Professional Engineering (PE) License.
- Work experience (and/or coursework) in one or more of the following areas: soil mechanics; rock mechanics; rock and soil slope stability; shallow and deep foundations; tunneling; microtunneling; seismic design; earthquake engineering; and retaining structures.
- Some knowledge or experience of field/construction observation in one or more of the following areas: logging geotechnical explorations, observation of pile driving operations, observations of earthwork activities, installation and recording of geotechnical instrumentation, field reconnaissance, and/or underground work.
- Excellent writing, organizational, and communication skills.
- Personable, flexible, and professional demeanor.
- The ability to work independently with the appropriate level of or minimal supervision.
- The willingness and ability to travel to support the needs of other Shannon & Wilson offices.
- A valid driver license and insurable driving record.
- Basic computer skills: MS Word, Excel (required); MS Access (desirable).
- Critical thinking and analysis.
- Frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, lifting, and carrying 30+ pounds.
- Working in all weather conditions, on uneven terrain.
- The ability to travel (drive or fly) to field sites per project needs and job sites locally and out of state.
- The ability to get a pass for access to military facilities.
LEVEL PLACEMENT
Typically, depending on an applicant’s education, experience, overall abilities, alignment with the needs of the company and local office culture, and the current business needs, an Entry-Level Geotechnical Engineer typically would be placed at a Shannon & Wilson Professional I, II, III, or IV level.
COMPENSATION:
- Professional I: $93,500 - $97,500
- Professional II: $95,500 - $101,500
- Professional III: $100,000 - $107,500
- Professional IV: $105,000 - $120,000
Shannon & Wilson is committed to providing a comprehensive total rewards package that includes the following benefits:
- Employee stock ownership
- Medical, prescription, vision, dental, long-term care and life insurance plans are offered to employees (and their families).
- Pre-tax health and daycare FSA
- Profit sharing and 401(k) plans with annual safe-harbor contributions
- 10 - 20 paid vacation days per year for full-time employees (prorated for part-time employment) based on year’s of experience
- Paid Sick and Safe Leave accrues based on your state requirements
- 9 paid holidays per year + 1 personal holiday
- Paid volunteer day
- Paid time off for bereavement and jury duty
- Two weeks of paid parental leave
- Lunch & Live wellness webinars and an Employee Assistance Program
- Mentorship Program
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Free parking
Shannon & Wilson is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Shannon & Wilson participates in the E-Verify program.
Please note that non-solicited resumes from external recruitment agencies will not be considered as introductions to our business, unless a preapproved agreement is in place and the external recruitment agency has been engaged to work on this specific vacancy.
INTRODUCTION
Shannon & Wilson is an employee-owned consulting firm headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Committed to technical excellence and high-quality service, we provide integrated geotechnical engineering, engineering geology, environmental and natural resource services for clients. Since 1954, we have delivered comprehensive engineering and environmental solutions for the most challenging infrastructure planning, design, permitting and construction conditions.
We are dedicated to improving our communities, preserving the environment and utilizing the most innovative science practices in all our work.
Responsibilities:
- Perform geotechnical engineering and geological analyses and calculations.
- Prepare and write engineering and other reports.
- Perform field explorations, collection of samples, geologic reconnaissance, and mapping.
- Perform with construction observation on job sites and prepare summary logs and other documentation.
- Perform geotechnical lab testing and communicate results.
- Interact and communicate with clients, vendors, and staff at all levels.
- Support marketing activities, including preparation of cost proposals.
- Follow Shannon & Wilson’s Quality Assurance policy.
- Follow and promote Shannon and Wilson’s Health and Safety and Loss Prevention policies.
- Perform other duties as assigned by your supervisor.
REQUIREMENTS
- BS in Civil Engineering required; and MS or PhD Degree in Geotechnical Engineering strongly preferred.
- 0 - 6 years of experience in Geotechnical Engineering.
- Have obtained or in process of receiving a Engineer-in-Training Certificate.
- On track to obtain Professional Engineering (PE) License.
- Work experience (and/or coursework) in one or more of the following areas: soil mechanics; rock mechanics; rock and soil slope stability; shallow and deep foundations; tunneling; microtunneling; seismic design; earthquake engineering; and retaining structures.
- Some knowledge or experience of field/construction observation in one or more of the following areas: logging geotechnical explorations, observation of pile driving operations, observations of earthwork activities, installation and recording of geotechnical instrumentation, field reconnaissance, and/or underground work.
- Excellent writing, organizational, and communication skills.
- Personable, flexible, and professional demeanor.
- The ability to work independently with the appropriate level of or minimal supervision.
- The willingness and ability to travel to support the needs of other Shannon & Wilson offices.
- A valid driver license and insurable driving record.
- Basic computer skills: MS Word, Excel (required); MS Access (desirable).
- Critical thinking and analysis.
- Frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, lifting, and carrying 30+ pounds.
- Working in all weather conditions, on uneven terrain.
- The ability to travel (drive or fly) to field sites per project needs and job sites locally and out of state.
- The ability to get a pass for access to military facilities.
LEVEL PLACEMENT
Typically, depending on an applicant’s education, experience, overall abilities, alignment with the needs of the company and local office culture, and the current business needs, an Entry-Level Geotechnical Engineer typically would be placed at a Shannon & Wilson Professional I, II, III, or IV level.
COMPENSATION:
- Professional I: $93,500 - $97,500
- Professional II: $95,500 - $101,500
- Professional III: $100,000 - $107,500
- Professional IV: $105,000 - $120,000
Shannon & Wilson is committed to providing a comprehensive total rewards package that includes the following benefits:
- Employee stock ownership
- Medical, prescription, vision, dental, long-term care and life insurance plans are offered to employees (and their families).
- Pre-tax health and daycare FSA
- Profit sharing and 401(k) plans with annual safe-harbor contributions
- 10 - 20 paid vacation days per year for full-time employees (prorated for part-time employment) based on year’s of experience
- Paid Sick and Safe Leave accrues based on your state requirements
- 9 paid holidays per year + 1 personal holiday
- Paid volunteer day
- Paid time off for bereavement and jury duty
- Two weeks of paid parental leave
- Lunch & Live wellness webinars and an Employee Assistance Program
- Mentorship Program
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Free parking
Shannon & Wilson is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Shannon & Wilson participates in the E-Verify program.
Please note that non-solicited resumes from external recruitment agencies will not be considered as introductions to our business, unless a preapproved agreement is in place and the external recruitment agency has been engaged to work on this specific vacancy.
See all 258+ OPT Geotechnical Engineer Jobs
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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.