Geotechnical engineer job profile

Geotechnical engineers use their in-depth knowledge of soil and rock to assess risk and solve problems on diverse infrastructure projects

Geotechnical engineering is a specialist branch of civil engineering which looks at the behaviour of earth materials and the application of soil and rock mechanics. As a geotechnical engineer, you will assess the physical, mechanical and chemical properties of soil and rock in order to design foundations, retaining structures and earthworks. Your assessment will enable you to determine the feasibility of a construction or engineering plan.

Geotechnical engineering is closely linked to and overlaps with, both engineering geology and ground engineering. It's possible to specialise in geotechnics or work for a geotechnical company but be known as an engineering geologist or a ground engineer.

Responsibilities

As a geotechnical engineer, you'll need to:

build and maintain relationships with clients and other professionals involved in the site, throughout each project
maintain safety standards on site
be mindful of cost implications when you make recommendations
study geological maps and aerial photographs from a range of sources and from different time periods
examine construction plans to see how feasible they are based on your understanding of the site
investigate risks or geological hazards for the site
search for environmentally sensitive features, such as landfill
start to develop factual and interpretive ground models
plan field investigations
drill and analyse samples of bedrock, soil, groundwater and additional materials
supervise other professionals on site
solve technical issues as they arise, such as unexpected structures at drill sites
monitor conditions during and after construction to make sure structures are stable in the short and long term
adding data collected on site to your initial research
creating geotechnical calculations, drawings, and two or three-dimensional computer models interpreting the data
making recommendations about the proposed use of the site.

Salary

As a graduate geotechnical engineer, you'll earn around £20,000 to £28,000.
As a geotechnical engineer with around five years' experience, you can earn between £26,000 and £36,000.
In a senior, chartered or master geotechnical engineer role, you'll earn in the region of £40,000 to £60,000.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

In the early stages of a career in geotechnical engineering, extra hours are a common occurrence because of the significant amount of time spent on site. However, as your career progresses a more regular, 9am to 5pm work schedule is common.

Part-time opportunities are fairly rare.

What to expect

The role includes both office and site visits, so you'll have the opportunity to explore sites across the UK and potentially overseas.
You'll carry out a high level of investigation during each project, as you search for geohazards across different time periods which may pose risks to a current construction or engineering development.
There are lots of opportunities to meet new people, as you'll work with a range of professionals at every site.
The work can be stressful as you may be responsible for the safety of others while on site.
There is also a high level of financial responsibility, as the recommendations you make can have serious cost implications.

Qualifications

A degree is necessary for entry to this career. Relevant subjects include:

engineering geology
geology
geophysics
geotechnology
mineral/mining engineering.

Alternatively, you may have studied civil engineering with a geotechnical bias.

Some of the bigger employers run graduate schemes and you can find details of these by searching online.

An alternative route into this career is in the form of an apprenticeship degree. Check online for more information, including application dates.

Completing a geoscience degree accredited by The Geological Society, will allow you to qualify for Fellowship after you have gained some relevant postgraduate experience. In the longer term, if you wish to become a chartered geologist (CGeol) you must become a Fellow of the Society.

For those with a background in civil engineering or the sciences, it can be possible to enter geotechnical engineering through the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) or the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3).

Some employers favour postgraduate qualifications, such as a Masters (MSc) in soil or rock mechanics, geotechnical engineering, engineering geology, hydrogeology, or foundation engineering.

Skills

You'll need to be:

passionate about the geological and natural environment
knowledgeable around principal soil and rock strata encountered in the UK
familiar with water, ground and soil gas monitoring techniques
able to apply technical knowledge to analyse problems and create solutions
adaptable to different projects and project teams
capable of building and maintaining relationships with clients and operating in a competitive and commercial environment
a good communicator with the ability to not only lead but also work as part of a team
confident and outgoing with a 'can-do' attitude
detail-orientated with the ability to make correct judgements
good at report writing
the type of person who enjoys being outdoors, in a variety of circumstances
flexible to travel in UK and work away from base office
able to drive and hold a full licence - many employers will require this.

Work experience

Many geotechnical consultancies, construction companies and engineering firms offer summer internships and placement year opportunities which will make you a more competitive candidate for graduate roles.

Make the most of field trips and opportunities to carry out investigative groundwork if offered as part of your degree, as these experiences are highly transferable to the role.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

You'll find the majority of jobs in the private sector, working for engineering or construction organisations or consultancies. There are growing numbers of specialist geotechnical consultancies.

Oil and gas companies and environmental consultancies also recruit geotechnical engineers. Graduate opportunities for geotechnical roles are currently buoyant as land and existing buildings are increasingly being repurposed.

Look for job vacancies at:

Contacting employers directly can be an effective way to enquire about potential job opportunities, or even to ask for vacation experiences or the chance to shadow a geotechnical engineer.

The Association of Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Specialists (AGS) has a useful directory of members, which can be used to find suitable contacts.

Professional development

To begin with, your training will be focused on company policies and processes, such as site inductions and health and safety practices, as well as the use of specific software packages for analysing and presenting site data. Most employers will be keen to help you develop your skills during the first few years.

It's common for new entrants to be given the opportunity to work with a mentor and to create a tailored development plan. This can include working towards a range of professional qualifications or focusing on personal development such as presentation skills or creative thinking. Some larger engineering, construction or oil and gas companies may offer the opportunity to spend fixed periods of time working in overseas branches.

Employers will usually encourage you to pursue chartership (once you've gained some experience) and you can do this through accredited training linked to professional bodies.

Becoming a Fellow of the Geological Society of London (FGS) or the Institute of Civil Engineers (FICE) will also help you maintain your knowledge base and connect with other professionals in your field. You must meet a series of criteria around the knowledge and experience you have gained since graduating.

The British Geotechnical Association (BGA) has an Early Career Group aimed at graduates working in the sector, providing an opportunity for training, debate, sharing of knowledge and networking.

Career prospects

You may be given fewer complex projects to work on to start with, but within a few years you'll take on increasing responsibility for challenging schemes with large financial implications. You may also take responsibility for overseeing the work of other professionals on-site.

You could progress by gaining insight into different areas, for example focusing on geotechnical engineering in infrastructure - in areas such as rail, highways and water. Or you could move into geotechnical engineering in the energy sector, focusing on carbon capture, storage renewable energy, offshore or onshore oil and gas or nuclear power.

If leadership or getting involved in strategic work appeals to you, a management role, head of a department, or even leading a company might be of interest.

The expertise of geotechnical engineers is in demand, as the global population increases mean there are ambitions to develop parts of the world affected by natural hazards, such as flooding or earthquakes.

Geotechnical engineer