Example Career Paths
- At the beginning of their careers, geotechnical engineers will probably tend to do site investigations and be involved in preparation of site investigation reports. Because soils laboratory testing will be part of these investigations, the geotechnical engineer will need to specify the laboratory program and interpret the results. There will also be opportunity for analysis of foundations, slopes, retaining walls, etc. as part of the engineering following site investigations, under supervision of a P.E.
- Other typical early career duties include quality control during earthworks construction - density testing, making sure materials meet specifications, etc.
- After a few years, and licensure as a P.E., the geotechnical engineer will work with less supervision, and may become responsible for planning investigations and supervising others doing the work. The individual may be involved also in evaluating alternative foundation systems and making recommendations on preferred systems.
- After a decade or more experience, a geotechnical engineer may be responsible for more complex projects, working with project owners or other engineers to develop suitable geotechnical engineering solutions on difficult sites, and undertake projects such as earth dam or water retention structures.
- In a large Architecture-Engineering or Engineering, Procurement and Construction company, a geotechnical engineer may advance to become involved in many projects at one time, being responsible to each project for the geotechnical aspects, e.g., ensuring the appropriate foundations are recommended. Rather than carrying out the work, the individual may recommend appointment of specialist consultants to carry out the work and oversee their work.
- Resource exploration companies that have a need for geotechnical services (typically the oil and gas and mining sectors) will frequently employ geotechnical engineers, sometimes straight out of school or more typically once they have accumulated some experience in consulting or contracting. In this position the geotechnical engineer may be responsible for understanding the employer's business and how geotechnical engineering services add value. The engineer will either do geotechnical work, or manage consultants, or most probably a combination. There may also be a role for a research and development component to advance technologies that are useful to the employer.
- Geotechnical issues are important for most civil engineering contracts, so that contractors have a need for geotechnical engineers of all levels. In addition to some of the duties described above for the consulting engineering industry, the geotechnical engineer will have to prepare cost estimates for tenders and spend significant effort devising alternative solutions to soil improvement and foundation designs.
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