Sr. Geotechnical Engineer

Gridworks • Albuquerque, NM

4d • Onsite

About The Position

GRIDWORKS EPC | Solar | BESS | Substation | Transmission Sr. Geotechnical Engineer – Solar PV & BESS Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico (On-site) Department: Engineering – Geotechnical Reports to: VP of Engineering Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt Discipline Focus: Utility-Scale Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) About Gridworks Established in 2014, Gridworks is a leading self-perform EPC contractor delivering utility-scale solar PV, battery energy storage (BESS), substation, and transmission projects across North America. We design, engineer, procure, and build the energy infrastructure that powers the grid of tomorrow. Our Albuquerque office is a hub for our geotechnical engineering practice, supporting projects from feasibility through construction close-out. The Opportunity We are seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer with deep expertise in utility-scale solar PV and battery energy storage systems to join our Albuquerque team. In this role, you will lead geotechnical and foundation engineering, serve as Engineer of Record (EOR) on assigned projects, partner closely with our self-perform construction teams, and provide technical oversight when geotechnical EOR responsibility is delegated to external engineering firms.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in civil, Geotechnical, from an ABET-accredited program.
• 10–15 years of progressive geotechnical engineering experience, with a meaningful portion focused on utility-scale solar PV and/or BESS foundation design.
• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license; ability to obtain New Mexico PE within 6 months of hire and additional state licensure as project needs require.
• Demonstrated experience serving as Engineer of Record on utility-scale renewable energy projects.
• Experience reviewing and providing technical oversight of external/third-party EOR geotechnical reports and calculations.
• Proficiency with industry-standard geotechnical software including LPILE, A-Pile, GROUP, PLAXIS 2D/3D, gINT, SLIDE/SLOPE-W, GeoStudio, and PYPile.
• Working knowledge of structural analysis software (e.g., STAAD.Pro, RISA) sufficient to coordinate soil-structure interaction with structural EORs.
• Strong command of IBC, ASCE 7, AASHTO, ACI 318, and applicable load combinations for tracker and equipment foundations.
• Familiarity with AASHTO and ASTM test methods for soils, aggregates, concrete, and steel materials.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD and Civil 3D for grading and foundation drawing review.
• Ability to travel to project sites within the United States as required (25–30%).

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or related discipline.
• Geotechnical Engineer (GE) license (where applicable by jurisdiction).
• Direct experience sealing and stamping geotechnical reports as EOR for utility-scale solar PV and BESS projects.
• Hands-on experience conducting or witnessing static, dynamic, and pull-out pile load tests on a scale.
• Familiarity with FHWA and DIN 50929 corrosion standards and protective design strategies.
• Experience with civil grading, SWPPP, and stormwater coordination.
• Programming proficiency (Python, VBA) for design automation and data analysis.
• Experience working in an EPC or self-perform construction environment, particularly under LNTP/IFC workflows.

Responsibilities

• Seal and stamp geotechnical reports, foundation recommendations, and supporting calculations for utility-scale PV and BESS projects, taking professional responsibility for design integrity, code compliance, and constructability.
• Lead geotechnical analysis and design for fixed-tilt and single-axis tracker foundations including driven piles, helical piles, ground screws, ballasted systems, drilled shafts, and micropiles.
• Develop foundation criteria and recommendations for battery enclosures, inverter/PCS skids, MV/LV transformer pads, and equipment platforms with attention to settlement tolerance and dynamic loading.
• Perform bearing capacity, settlement, rotational stiffness, lateral pile, liquefaction, slope stability, and seepage analyses; evaluate collapsible, expansive, frost-susceptible, and corrosive soils.
• Plan, witness, and interpret static, dynamic, and pull-out pile load test programs; calibrate design recommendations to test results and refine production criteria.
• Develop boring plans, lab testing scopes, and geotechnical investigation specifications; manage drilling subcontractors and labs to deliver high-quality, project-aligned data.
• Conduct underground corrosion analysis using AASHTO, FHWA, and DIN 50929 frameworks; recommend protective measures for steel piles and reinforced concrete in aggressive soils.
• Review and optimize site grading plans for tracker tolerances, drainage, and BESS pad performance while minimizing cut/fill volumes and preserving constructability.
• Apply IBC, ASCE 7, AASHTO, ACI 318, and applicable AHJ amendments for seismic, wind, and frost design; coordinate jurisdictional permitting and plan review responses.
• Work hand-in-hand with structural, civil, construction, field engineering, procurement, and project management to deliver buildable, cost-optimized foundation solutions aligned with project schedule and budget.
• Travel to project sites (estimated 25–30%) for geotechnical investigation oversight, pile load test witnessing, foundation installation QA/QC, and RFI resolution.
• Align pile specifications with tracker mechanical performance requirements; review and approve OEM geotechnical submittals; perform independent verification of vendor-supplied calculations.
• On projects where geotechnical EOR responsibility is delegated to a third-party engineering firm, serve as Gridworks technical lead — review external EOR geotechnical reports, foundation recommendations, calculations, and design basis documents for solar PV and BESS scopes; identify gaps, conservatism opportunities, code interpretation issues, and constructability concerns; track formal review comments through resolution; and represent Gridworks in design coordination meetings with the external EOR.
• Develop and maintain geotechnical design standards, calculation templates, and QA/QC procedures; build internal design tools (Excel, Python) to scale practice across a growing portfolio.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary in the range of [Salary Range: $140,000 – $175,000], commensurate with experience and licensure.
• Annual performance bonus and long-term incentive eligibility.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits effective day one.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Generous PTO, paid holidays, and parental leave.
• Professional development support, including PE/GE exam reimbursement, continuing education, and conference attendance.
• A high-impact role on projects that directly accelerate the energy transition.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior