Geotech Field Engineer

Bechtel Corporation•Houston, TX

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Bechtel is seeking a Field Geotechnical Engineer to provide on-site engineering support and oversight for construction execution, with a primary emphasis on earthwork, subgrade preparation, backfill and compaction, associated ground improvement activities, and site civil works, and a secondary emphasis on supporting augered cast-in-place (ACIP) pile. The role is principally field-based and supports construction through technical oversight, coordination with contractors and the design-assist team, field quality verification, and real-time issue resolution across the process, utility, and support facilities — including building pads, tank farm and pipe rack areas, roadways, and underground utility corridors. The position is part of the Geotechnical & Hydraulic Engineering Services (G&HES) group and reports to the G&HES Group Supervisor / Geotechnical Engineering Manager or their designee. The successful candidate is expected to work independently in the field while coordinating closely with Construction, CSAOM, ES&H, the engineering contractor and specialty foundation subcontractors, and home-office geotechnical engineering. The assignment is site-based for an extended duration, with potential transition to another Bechtel project or permanent office thereafter, and may require travel to other Bechtel and client offices within the U.S. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and a commitment to Bechtel’s leadership, quality, and safety values are required.

Requirements

An M.S. degree in Geotechnical Engineering or other related engineering discipline from an accredited university with a minimum of 5 years of progressive relevant work experience, or a Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering with a minimum of 3 years of progressive relevant work experience.
Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification.
Demonstrated field experience supporting or supervising earthwork construction — subgrade preparation, excavation and backfill, compaction control, and site grading — on industrial or infrastructure projects.
Working knowledge of proof-rolling and probing, moisture conditioning, compaction testing methods and frequencies, dewatering, and excavation support systems (sloping and shoring).
Familiarity with soil stabilization (cement and lime treatment) and geosynthetics (geogrids and geofabrics) for reinforcement, separation, drainage, and filtration.
Familiarity with deep foundation construction quality control and load testing, with exposure to augered cast-in-place (ACIP) piles, drilled shafts, or comparable grouted/cast-in-place pile systems.
Familiarity with excavation and trench safety, Competent Person requirements, and excavation/backfill permitting.
Ability to read and interpret geotechnical drawings, reports, and specifications; familiarity with soil characterization and field/laboratory testing standards (ASTM).
Working knowledge of field documentation practices, including daily reports and nonconformance reports (NCRs).
Proficiency with standard geotechnical and data-management software (such as gINT, Settle3, LPILE/APILE, and SLOPE/W) and Microsoft Office tools.
Strong coordination and communication skills, verbal and written, with the ability to work effectively in an active construction environment.
Willing and able to be based at the project jobsite in Houston, Texas, and to travel to other jobsites in the U.S. on short- and long-term assignments.
Authorized to work legally in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (PE) or equivalent registration, or demonstrable progress toward PE.
Experience on large industrial, pharmaceutical, chemical, manufacturing and technology, energy, or infrastructure projects.
Hands-on experience with ACIP pile installation monitoring and automated installation-parameter recording systems.
Prior involvement in deep foundation or ground improvement load-testing programs.
Experience with soft or highly plastic clay soil conditions typical of the Texas Gulf Coast, including moisture-sensitive subgrades and lime/cement treatment.
OSHA 30-Hour Construction and/or Competent Person (excavation and trenching) certification.

Responsibilities

Verify the suitability of subgrade conditions following excavation and implement remediation measures — removal and replacement of unsuitable material, and soil stabilization.
Conduct proof-rolling and probing of subgrade soils to evaluate stability, identify soft or yielding areas, and execute required remediation or improvement measures.
Verify compliance with earthwork specifications, including lift thickness, moisture conditioning, proof rolling, and testing frequencies.
Schedule and inspect backfill activities, oversee compaction testing, and verify proper backfill around structures, foundations, and underground utilities in accordance with project specifications.
Inspect excavations and trenches daily to evaluate dewatering systems, assess slope protection measures, and implement remedial actions for slope stability and regulatory compliance.
Implement excavation support systems — sloping and shoring (such as trench boxes), seepage control, and dewatering operations — to maintain safe and stable working conditions.
Apply site soil stabilization techniques, including cement and lime treatment of soils, and verify treated-subgrade performance.
Utilize geogrids for soil stabilization and reinforcement, and geofabrics for separation, drainage, and filtration in earthwork construction.
Ensure proper protection of prepared subgrades, including the use of mudmats, to maintain integrity prior to foundation construction.
Coordinate laboratory soil testing on imported and onsite materials, and manage stockpile volumes to maintain an accurate site balance throughout construction.
Oversee road-base placement, compaction, and asphalt concrete (AC) paving to verify proper thickness, compaction, and surface quality.
Coordinate field exploration and in-situ testing as required — supplemental borings, cone penetration tests (CPT/CPTu), dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) testing, groundwater measurements, and plate load or bearing tests on subgrade.
Manage excavation and backfill permits, update project-specific instructions, develop Earthworks Testing and Inspection Plans (TIP), and coordinate Competent Person training sessions.
Provide field engineering support and oversight during augered cast-in-place (ACIP) pile installation, including verification of pile layout, dimensions, embedment depth, and reinforcement placement against approved drawings and specifications.
Oversee monitoring and documentation of ACIP installation parameters — drilling and extraction rates, grout/concrete pressure and volume, grout takes versus theoretical volume, and automated monitoring equipment records — and identify deviations for engineering review.
Observe grout and concrete operations, including mix verification, slump and temperature checks, and test specimen preparation.
Support pile load testing programs — compression, tension, and lateral — including verification of equipment calibration, observation of testing, and preliminary review of results.
Coordinate non-destructive integrity testing, such as Pile Integrity Testing (PIT), and review installation records to assess pile quality and identify potential defects.