STEM OPT Geotechnical Engineering Technician Jobs
Geotechnical engineering technician roles fall under STEM-designated CIP codes, making them eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension beyond your initial 12 months. Employers must be enrolled in E-Verify to hire you on STEM OPT, and you'll need an I-983 training plan in place before your start date.
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Get Access To All JobsWhat You'll Do:
Responsibilities:
- Supports preparation of geotechnical reports, including analysis and recommendations
- Manages construction materials testing (CMT) tasks, including daily report review and issue tracking
- Assists with project budgeting and prepares invoices
- Supports preparation of proposals for geotechnical and CMT projects
- Performs or assists with boring and test pit layout and site access evaluation
- Prepares drilling packages and obtains utility clearances
- Conducts research on local geologic conditions
- Assists with supervision of field investigations and drilling activities
- Performs or supports in-situ testing and soil classification
- Reviews field reports and supports documentation of project data
- Communicates with project teams, contractors, and field personnel
- Performs other technical, field, and project support tasks as assigned
What We're Looking For:
Required Qualifications:
- 0 years of related experience
- Bachelor and/or Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geology, or similar is required
- A professional license is not required in this position, but it is necessary to progress in your career
- If driving for or on behalf of any ECS subsidiary, a valid driver's license is required
- Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Basic knowledge of geotechnical principles and applications
- Basic knowledge of construction materials testing and ASTM standards
- Ability to work effectively with teams, clients, and supervisors
- Developing project management and client communication skills
- Basic familiarity with geotechnical software (developing)
- Self-motivated and responsible work ethic
Military Qualifications:
The following US Military ranks will qualify for this position IF they also meet the education and licenses requirements from the above section titled "Required Qualifications":
-
- E-5
Who We Are:
ECS Group of Companies (ECS) was founded in 1988 with the goal to raise the standards of professional engineering consulting. Today, we are a leader in geotechnical, construction materials, environmental and facilities consulting services. We are employee-owned with more than 3,000 employees in 100+ offices and testing facilities coast to coast. ECS is currently ranked #60 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms (April 2026), #148 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms (October 2025) and #50 in Zweig Group’s Hot Firm List (May 2025).
ECS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To learn more, click here.
What You'll Do:
Responsibilities:
- Supports preparation of geotechnical reports, including analysis and recommendations
- Manages construction materials testing (CMT) tasks, including daily report review and issue tracking
- Assists with project budgeting and prepares invoices
- Supports preparation of proposals for geotechnical and CMT projects
- Performs or assists with boring and test pit layout and site access evaluation
- Prepares drilling packages and obtains utility clearances
- Conducts research on local geologic conditions
- Assists with supervision of field investigations and drilling activities
- Performs or supports in-situ testing and soil classification
- Reviews field reports and supports documentation of project data
- Communicates with project teams, contractors, and field personnel
- Performs other technical, field, and project support tasks as assigned
What We're Looking For:
Required Qualifications:
- 0 years of related experience
- Bachelor and/or Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geology, or similar is required
- A professional license is not required in this position, but it is necessary to progress in your career
- If driving for or on behalf of any ECS subsidiary, a valid driver's license is required
- Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Basic knowledge of geotechnical principles and applications
- Basic knowledge of construction materials testing and ASTM standards
- Ability to work effectively with teams, clients, and supervisors
- Developing project management and client communication skills
- Basic familiarity with geotechnical software (developing)
- Self-motivated and responsible work ethic
Military Qualifications:
The following US Military ranks will qualify for this position IF they also meet the education and licenses requirements from the above section titled "Required Qualifications":
-
- E-5
Who We Are:
ECS Group of Companies (ECS) was founded in 1988 with the goal to raise the standards of professional engineering consulting. Today, we are a leader in geotechnical, construction materials, environmental and facilities consulting services. We are employee-owned with more than 3,000 employees in 100+ offices and testing facilities coast to coast. ECS is currently ranked #60 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms (April 2026), #148 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms (October 2025) and #50 in Zweig Group’s Hot Firm List (May 2025).
ECS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To learn more, click here.
See all 225+ STEM OPT Geotechnical Engineering Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Geotechnical Engineering Technician Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Geotechnical Engineering Technician
Verify your degree's CIP code eligibility
Check that your civil, geotechnical, or geological engineering degree maps to a STEM-designated CIP code on the USCIS STEM list. Degrees in soil mechanics, environmental geotechnics, or earth science typically qualify, but confirm with your DSO before applying.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask the hiring manager whether the company is currently enrolled in E-Verify, not just registered. Some geotechnical firms enroll only at the federal contract level, so verify the specific office or entity that will employ you.
Search STEM OPT roles on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter geotechnical engineering technician openings by E-Verify status, so you only see roles at employers already set up to hire STEM OPT students without delays at the offer stage.
Build your I-983 training plan before interviews
Draft a preliminary I-983 that maps geotechnical tasks, like soil testing, site investigation, and lab analysis, to your STEM degree's learning objectives. Employers in field services expect this to be ready quickly after an offer.
Target firms with active DOL LCA filings in geotechnical disciplines
Search the OFLC Wage Search for employers who have filed LCAs under geotechnical or civil engineering occupation codes. Prior filings signal that a firm understands work authorization requirements and has processes in place.
Negotiate your start date around STEM OPT timelines
USCIS recommends filing your STEM OPT extension at least 90 days before your initial OPT expires. Tell recruiters early so your start date aligns with your approved EAD rather than creating a gap in authorization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a geotechnical engineering technician role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as civil engineering, geological engineering, or earth sciences and maps to an eligible CIP code on the USCIS STEM list. The role itself must also provide practical training directly related to your degree. Your DSO confirms eligibility before filing the STEM OPT extension with USCIS.
Does my employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify to hire me on STEM OPT?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a federal requirement for all STEM OPT employers, not optional. The specific legal entity or office that employs you must be enrolled, not just the parent company. Ask for the E-Verify company ID number during the offer stage, and confirm it matches the hiring location. You can find E-Verify-enrolled employers on Migrate Mate.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a geotechnical engineering technician?
Your I-983 must describe the practical training activities, like subsurface investigation, soil classification, laboratory testing, and field data collection, and explain how each one connects to your STEM degree's learning goals. Both you and a company supervisor with authority to sign must complete the form. USCIS requires updates every 12 months or whenever your training goals or position changes.
What is cap-gap and how does it affect geotechnical technicians on STEM OPT?
Cap-gap automatically extends your STEM OPT work authorization if your employer files an H-1B visa petition on your behalf before your EAD expires and you're selected in the lottery. Your authorization continues through September 30 of that fiscal year. If your petition is denied or not selected, your authorization ends and you'll need to stop working or leave the country.
How do I know if a geotechnical firm is set up to hire STEM OPT students?
Look for firms that have filed Labor Condition Applications under geotechnical or civil engineering occupation codes, which you can research through the OFLC Wage Search. Active LCA filings indicate experience with work authorization requirements. You can also use the O*NET occupation profile for geotechnical engineering technicians to identify the SOC code employers use when filing, which helps you search more precisely.