Geotechnical Staff Engineer - EIT

Universal Engineering Sciences

Auburn, Alabama

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Acceptance Testing, Analysis Skills, AutoCAD, Civil Engineering, Communication Skills, Construction, Construction Materials Testing, Consulting, Cost Estimates, Cross-Functional, Customer Relations, Data Collection, Data Quality, Detail Oriented, Documentation, Drilling, Employee Orientation, Engineer in Training (EIT), Engineering Management, Engineering Software, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Regulations, Field Trials, Geological Engineering, Geology, Geotechnical Engineering, Geotechnical Investigation, Green Construction, Healthcare, Laboratory Analysis, Laboratory Equipment, Laboratory Testing, Materials Testing, Mentoring, Organizational Skills, Physical Demands, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Project Design, Project Engineering, Project Evaluation, Project/Program Management, Proposal Development, Purchasing/Procurement, Quality Assurance, Quality Assurance Methodology, Quality Control, Record Keeping, Safety Standards, Safety/Work Safety, Specimen Collection, Support Documentation, Team Player, Technical Writing, Test Data, Test Program, Willing to Travel, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Auburn, Alabama
POSTED
2 days ago
Who We Are:

At UES, we’re a team of more than 4,000 engineers, scientists, geologists, inspectors, technicians, and drillers united by a shared purpose—to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. As a national leader in geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, and materials testing and inspection, we collaborate on transformative projects across transportation, energy, water, healthcare, and more. Learn more about the benefits of joining Team UES and our core values at careers.teamues.com.

Position Overview:

We are seeking an enthusiastic and detail-oriented Staff Engineer to join our geotechnical engineering team. In this entry-level role, you will support a variety of field and office activities, including site investigations, soil and rock data collection, laboratory coordination, and technical reporting. Working alongside experienced engineers and project managers, you'll contribute to evaluating subsurface conditions and assisting with the preparation of engineering documentation that supports infrastructure, environmental, and construction-related projects.

 

The ideal candidate will have a strong academic foundation in geotechnical or civil engineering, a collaborative attitude, and a desire to learn through hands-on fieldwork and mentorship. This is a great opportunity for an early-career professional to grow technical skills, gain field experience, and build a solid foundation in applied geotechnical engineering within a dynamic and supportive environment.

Responsibilities:
  • Assist with geotechnical site investigations, including soil and rock sampling, borehole logging, field testing, and data collection to support project design and analysis.

  • Support the evaluation of subsurface conditions by analyzing field and laboratory data under the supervision of senior engineers.

  • Contribute to the preparation of technical reports and documentation by summarizing findings, preparing figures, and assisting in drafting recommendations.

  • Work collaboratively with project engineers and multidisciplinary teams to support design development and engineering assessments.

  • Assist with reviewing plans, specifications, and background data to help inform geotechnical evaluations.

  • Participate in field and laboratory testing programs to ensure data quality and integrity.

  • Support communication with internal teams, subcontractors, and vendors to facilitate coordination of field work and material procurement.

  • Help ensure project work is performed in accordance with applicable health, safety, and environmental standards.

  • Learn to use geotechnical engineering software and tools for analysis and reporting.

  • Support cost estimating and proposal development efforts by compiling data and assisting with documentation.

  • Maintain organized project records, logs, and data files in accordance with company standards.

  • Participate in quality assurance/quality control processes to support consistent and accurate deliverables.

Job Responsibilities Note:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. UES retains the right to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geology, or a related field.

  • 0–3 years of relevant experience in geotechnical engineering, field investigations, or construction materials testing (internship or co-op experience welcomed).

  • Engineering-in-Training (EIT) certification preferred or ability to obtain within a reasonable timeframe.

  • Familiarity with geotechnical concepts, laboratory and field testing methods, and soil/rock behavior.

  • Exposure to engineering software such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or geotechnical tools (e.g., PLAXIS, GeoStudio, LPILE) is a plus.

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for documenting findings and working with project teams.

  • Basic understanding of construction methods, site safety, and environmental regulations is helpful.

  • Strong analytical and organizational skills with attention to detail.

  • Willingness to work in both field and office environments and travel to project sites as needed.

  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team and demonstrate a proactive, collaborative mindset.

Preferred Qualifications:

Clear concise communication skills and the ability to work in a customer-facing role.

Travel Requirements:

This position requires biothg offcie anbds filed work.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:
  • Work is primarily conducted outdoors with exposure to outdoor conditions, including:
    • Sites that may not be accessible by vehicle, requiring travel on foot through wetlands, swamps, grasslands, construction zones, and other uneven or rugged terrain with natural and man-made obstacles such as sand, brush, and debris.
    • Moderate to loud noise levels due to lab equipment, field operations, and construction environments.
    • Exposure to dirt, dust, chemicals, sun, heat, humidity, and varying weather conditions as part of field sample collection and testing.
  • Physical requirements include:
    • Ability to lift and carry between 35 and 75 lbs. over distances up to 75 feet, involving regular repetitive motion.
    • Ability to stand, walk, drive, and operate laboratory and field equipment for extended periods.
    • Ability to bend, twist, reach, stoop, pull, kneel, climb, balance, lift, carry, and push as required for laboratory and fieldwork.
    • Ability to use your senses to see (including close, distant, and peripheral vison, depth vision, and ability to focus) smell, hear, touch (use hands to reach climb or balance, crouch, stoop, crawl, kneel and sit).
    • Ability to communicate effectively through verbal and written means in a lab and field environment, often requiring the use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).
EEO Statement:

UES is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is proud to recruit the most qualified candidates. Please see our full EEO Statement at the bottom of the page here

About the Company

U

Universal Engineering Sciences

Universal Engineering Sciences, Inc. (Universal) is a consulting engineering firm specializing in geotechnical engineering, environmental sciences, construction materials testing, and threshold inspection. We are a growing, competitive firm with a strong position and reputation in our industry. We are always looking for ways to provide enhanced services. With this in mind, we began offering private provider inspection (PPI) and plan review in 2003, and added in-house geophysical engineering and surveys to our already wide range of construction-related services.

Universal’s mission is to do “WHATEVER IT TAKES” to provide our services with a primary focus on understanding and delivering solutions for each of our individual client’s needs, be that timeliness, cost-saving recommendations, ingenuity or any other requirement they may have.

COMPANY SIZE
500 to 999 employees
INDUSTRY
Construction
FOUNDED
1964
WEBSITE
http://universalengineering.com/