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Geotechnical Engineer - Project Lead
Company : Sargent &lundy
Location : Pittsburgh, PA, 15219
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 6 January 2026
Description
Join a team of experienced and diverse geotechnical engineers, where you will provide high quality design and consulting services as part of multi-disciplined project teams for challenging domestic and international, power and industrial projects. These engineering services include but are not limited to the geotechnical aspects of foundation design (shallow & deep), earth retention systems, dam stability analyses/inspections, insitu instrumentation/monitoring programs, subsurface exploration, seismic stability, liquefaction analyses, ground improvement, groundwater supply wells, and field oversight of exploration and construction activities. The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of diverse geotechnical field and design experience.
Typical responsibilities may include:
- Provide designs and work closely with all design disciplines and business groups within S&L
- Prepare and review detailed calculations to
- Develop soil parameters for both static and dynamic conditions
- Determine drilled and driven pile capacity
- Evaluate shallow foundation capacity and settlement
- Analyze slope stability
- Lead geotechnical project teams
- Work with Designers to accurately portray technical information on drawings
- Prepare and review specifications for subsurface investigations, deep foundations, ground improvement, earth retaining systems, monitoring wells, water production wells, and general earthwork
- Prepare bid tabulations and technical recommendations for bids received in response to specifications prepared
- Conduct on-site quality surveillance of subsurface exploration programs and provide periodic onsite representation during construction activities
- Establishing laboratory testing programs
- Review vendor documents for conformity with specifications
- Participate in dam and dike examinations
- Regular domestic and occasional international travel
Dependent upon your location, this opportunity offers a generous relocation package.
Qualifications
We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.
Essential skills and experience:
- 10+ years of diverse and progressive Geotechnical field and design experience.
- BSCE (MSCE preferred) from an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program with a strong background and coursework emphasis in Geotechnical Engineering.
- Professional Engineer License in at least 1 state, required.
- Experience with geotechnical aspects of design or licensing nuclear power plants is preferred.
- Experience with the collection of field data using soil borings, CPTs, shear wave profiles, etc.
- Experience formulating detailed engineering design recommendations for shallow foundations, deep foundations, and earth retaining structures.
- Experience in geotechnical design of power plant and transmission facilities is desirable but not required.
- Familiarity with design tools and software, such as LPILE, Slope/W, and proficient with Excel, and Word.
- US Citizenship required to support nuclear power projects.
- Ability to work in a team environment.
- Ability to maintain professional presence in settings ranging from the client offices to construction “trenches”.
- Working knowledge of:
- ASTM standards, and/or
- NRC geotechnical standards is desired.
- Excellent English verbal communication skills and effective writing skills.
- Ability and willingness to travel (both domestic and international).
Award-Winning Benefits
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & WellnessFinancial BenefitsWork-Life Balance- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
Compensation Range
$116,620.00 - $179,890.00Transparency Statement
Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.About This Business Unit
The Energy & Industrial Group (EIG) specializes in delivering advanced engineering solutions across various sectors, including power generation, environmental compliance, oil & gas, and industrial projects, from new plant design to plant betterment and upgrade services for operating facilities. We have designed nearly 900 conventional power plants, yielding over 100,000 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity. Our expertise includes numerous recent and ongoing combined cycle projects that leverage the latest advanced machinery, including combustion turbines, steam turbines, and heat recovery steam generators from all leading suppliers. EIG is recognized for its commitment to decarbonization through innovative technologies in renewable energy, carbon capture, and hydrogen power. We excel in detailed engineering services for photovoltaic (PV) solar projects and energy storage integration, and lead the industry in carbon capture technologies, managing projects from conceptual studies, pilot demonstrations and through commercial scale implementation for utilities and industrial plants.
Awards & Recognition
Equal Opportunity
Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.
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Frequently asked questions
A Geotechnical Engineer - Project Lead in Pittsburgh typically manages multidisciplinary teams, ensuring technical quality across complex power and industrial projects. This role demands oversight of design integration, mentoring junior engineers, and coordinating with clients for successful project delivery in diverse geotechnical domains.
Unlike general engineering leads, this role focuses heavily on geotechnical expertise, including foundation design and earth retention systems. It requires specialized knowledge in soil mechanics, seismic stability, and dam safety, combined with strong project management skills, blending technical depth with team leadership.
Holding a Professional Engineer (PE) license in at least one state is essential. Additionally, familiarity with ASTM and NRC geotechnical standards is highly regarded in Pennsylvania, especially for projects related to nuclear power, ensuring compliance and technical rigor in design and inspections.
This senior role often leads to positions like Geotechnical Manager or Engineering Director, with opportunities to spearhead larger projects or specialize in niche areas like nuclear power plant geotechnics. Continuous learning and leadership in multi-disciplined teams are key for upward mobility.
At Sargent & Lundy, balancing domestic and international project demands requires adaptability. The engineer must navigate complex foundation designs while adhering to stringent nuclear safety standards, all within a collaborative environment that values diversity and technical excellence.
Sargent & Lundy offers a competitive benefits package including health plans, paid time off, tuition assistance, and relocation support. This reflects their recognition of the leadership role’s demands and their commitment to employee well-being and professional growth.
Salary ranges for this role in Pittsburgh typically fall between $116,620 and $179,890 annually. This reflects market demand for experienced geotechnical engineers with leadership skills, especially those with nuclear project experience and professional licensure.
Pittsburgh's industrial history and ongoing energy sector developments create steady demand for geotechnical experts. The city's proximity to power generation facilities and infrastructure projects means project leads with nuclear and earth retention expertise are particularly sought after.
Sargent & Lundy fosters a collaborative and inclusive culture that emphasizes technical innovation and employee well-being. Project leads can expect a supportive environment that values diverse perspectives, continuous learning, and a balance between fieldwork and office collaboration.
Expect involvement in a variety of projects ranging from power plant foundations to carbon capture infrastructure. The scope often includes complex geotechnical analyses, design coordination across disciplines, and international travel to oversee subsurface exploration and construction quality.