Geotechnical Engineer jobs in Billings, MT

Summary

The Geotechnical Engineer 2 provides geotechnical analysis and design for projects of advanced size and complexity. Duties include logistics and scheduling of drilling crews, outlining laboratory testing, performing data analysis, and providing assistance in the preparation of geotechnical reports, as well as interpretation of laboratory test data, engineering analyses for earthwork, slopes, foundations, and seismic hazards, and providing assistance in the preparation of geotechnical reports. This person is expected to exercise a strong work ethic and excellent technical judgement and organizational skills. Due to the field nature of this position, employees must have the ability to travel away from their home location for extended periods of time to work on-site at projects. Work performed by this person is supported and reviewed by other licensed staff. The Geotechnical Engineer 2 should demonstrate advanced proficiency with geotechnical fundamentals and be able to quickly learn and apply new design and analysis skills. This person is expected to work well with others, absorb and apply constructive criticism and perform some project management tasks as assigned.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Software

• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) - Proficient
• Market Sector Software (gINT, Geosystems) - Advanced
• Rocscience Suite, GeoStudio Suite, Piles/Piers - Proficient
• Retaining Wall, AASHTO - Basic

Technical Expertise

• Fully proficient understanding of technical fundamentals related to the market sector
• Leads technical efforts on a variety of project types, sizes, and complexities
• Mentors others on technical tasks and skills
• Performs quality control of moderately complex deliverables

Teamwork

Team player who leads small teams (1-2 people) to complete challenging assignments. Is an independent thinker, provides clear communication and direction to others, and takes responsibility for their results.

Project Delivery

Produces the following independently and oversees others with less experience:

• Proposals/cost estimates
• Technical reports and memos
• Exploration plans
• Laboratory requests
• Design details
• Calculations
• Modeling/software outputs

Understanding Budget and Schedule

Strong understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Able to predict and deliver individual tasks within a set level of effort. Able to consistently meet budget and schedule expectations on projects. Develops budgets and schedules for complex tasks. Breaks down complex projects into logical tasks. Mentors others on above. Able to prioritize multiple assignments to successfully deliver all assigned projects on time and on budget.

Industry Standards and Regulations

• Interprets, selects, and employs the following design codes with advanced skill:
  • ASCE 7
  • AASHTO
  • IBC
  • Local Codes
• Actively mentors others on interpreting design codes
• Understands limitations of design codes

Client Interaction

Frequent and direct communications with clients to resolve technical issues on moderate to complex projects. Leads client project meetings. Understands appropriate messaging and legal risks.

Other

Other duties as assigned.

Level of Work/Accountability

Performs advanced levels of technical work on large, complex projects as a trusted technical member of the market sector. Operates with a high level of autonomy. Reviews the work of others. Will perform some project management tasks.

Supervisory Duties

May be a supervisor:

• Oversees team operations and the daily workflow of the team
• Organizes workflow and ensures that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks
• Recruits and hires new employees
• Implements training for new hires and identifies training opportunities for current staff
• Communicates information from leadership to employees and vice versa
• Monitors employee productivity and provides constructive feedback and coaching
• Sets goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with company’s plans and vision and communicates them to employees
• Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations
• Decides on reward and promotion based on performance
• Handles discipline and termination of employees as needed and in accordance with company policy

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required
• Years of experience required: 6 years
• Years of experience required with advanced degree: 5 years (MS), 4 years (PhD)

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• PE required
• Must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Ability to dig with shovel or digging bars; ability to walk and hike through rough terrain, snow, and ice; and routinely lift and carry between 30 and 50 pounds. May need to work at remote sites.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work may be split between the field and office. Field work is performed outdoors during year-round weather conditions. Work ranges from high-density urban to extremely remote settings. Individuals must be prepared to adapt quickly from one extreme to the other.

In the field: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to moderately loud due to the proximity to construction sites and related equipment.

In the office: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Geographical locations are taken into consideration with respect to compensation.