Job Description

Role: Geotechnical Project Engineer

Location: Lombard, IL or Chicago, IL ot Glendale Heights, IL

Onsite/Hybrid

Full-Time

$94,270.00 - $120,230.00

Terracon’s Lombard office has a well-established geotechnical practice serving Illinois transportation, infrastructure, commercial, energy, and private-sector clients. We are looking for a licensed Project Geotechnical Engineer ready to take ownership of project work, lead client and team communication, and grow toward broader project management, technical leadership, and Authorized Project Reviewer responsibilities.

The primary focus of this role will be transportation and public works projects, including roadways, bridge foundations, retaining structures, pavements, drainage structures, utility corridors, and related infrastructure. The position will also include selected commercial, industrial, energy, and site-development projects.

What to Expect:

You will carry real project responsibility from day one: managing investigations, coordinating technical work, communicating with project teams, and preparing deliverables for infrastructure and development projects across Illinois. The role provides a path toward project management, client leadership, and Authorized Project Reviewer development, supported by experienced senior staff and technical reviewers.

Hybrid schedule flexibility is available for office-based work when compatible with project needs, field assignments, training, and team coordination. Relocation assistance and/or a signing bonus may be considered. Terracon also offers a comprehensive benefits package, professional development opportunities, and support for continued technical and career growth.

You will manage detailed phases of geotechnical projects and support larger, more complex assignments with senior project managers and Authorized Project Reviewers. Typical responsibilities include:

• Planning, scheduling, and coordinating geotechnical investigations, drilling programs, laboratory testing, and field staff.
• Reviewing subsurface data, boring logs, laboratory results, plans, specifications, and project requirements.
• Performing geotechnical analyses for foundations, pavements, earthwork, retaining structures, slopes, groundwater conditions, and related design issues.
• Developing practical recommendations for design and construction.
• Preparing and reviewing geotechnical reports, technical memoranda, proposals, scopes of work, and cost estimates.
• Tracking project progress, schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
• Communicating directly with clients, design teams, contractors, drilling crews, laboratories, and internal project teams.
• Supporting construction-phase services, including field observation review, test data review, submittal review, and responses to construction questions.
• Mentoring junior engineers, field engineers, technicians, laboratory staff, and exploration teams.
• Supporting business development through client communication, proposal preparation, and project pursuit efforts.

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or a related engineering field.
• Professional Engineer license required.
• 5 to 8+ years of geotechnical engineering experience.
• Experience preparing geotechnical reports, recommendations, proposals, scopes, and cost estimates.
• Ability to manage multiple project tasks, coordinate field and laboratory work, and communicate clearly with clients and project teams.
• Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work in both office and field settings.

• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

  Preferred qualifications:

• Master’s degree in geotechnical engineering or a related field.
• Experience with transportation, public works, bridge, roadway, pavement, retaining wall, utility, or infrastructure projects.
• Familiarity with Illinois transportation agencies, public-sector design teams, and geotechnical reporting requirements.
• Interest in developing toward project management, client leadership, technical review, and Authorized Project Reviewer responsibilities.