Risevoic
Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer
Company : Sargent &lundy
Location : Chicago, IL, 60603
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 9 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, institute 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 a firm date of expected graduation from an ABET accredited civil engineering program and a focus on geotechnical course work.
Typical responsibilities may include:
- Prepare 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
- Work with Designers to accurately portray technical information on drawings
- Prepare 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
- Provide designs and work closely with all design disciplines and business groups within S&L
- Conduct on-site quality surveillance of subsurface exploration programs and provide periodic onsite representation during construction activities.
- Domestic travel will likely range from 25 to 50 percent
- Establish 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:
- BSCE (MSCE preferred) from an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program with a strong background and coursework emphasis in Geotechnical Engineering.
- Passed the FE exam.
- Understanding of the collection of field data using soil borings, CPTs, shear wave profiles, etc.
- Soil Mechanics, Shallow Foundation, Deep Foundation and Slope Stability Coursework.
- 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.
- Ability to work in a team environment.
- US Citizenship required to support nuclear power projects.
- Ability to maintain professional presence in settings ranging from the client offices to construction “trenches”.
- 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
$60,660.00 - $87,090.00Transparency 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
Chicago's vibrant industrial and power sectors drive steady demand for entry-level geotechnical engineers. While there’s strong competition due to the city's engineering talent pool, candidates with ABET-accredited degrees and FE exam success tend to stand out, especially for roles involving foundation design and field oversight.
Local employers in Chicago generally look for candidates who have passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. While a Professional Engineer (PE) license isn’t mandatory at entry-level, progressing toward licensure is encouraged, especially for projects involving power plant and infrastructure foundations.
Mastering soil mechanics, pile capacity analysis, and slope stability calculations is crucial. Familiarity with design software like LPILE and SLOPE/W, alongside proficiency in Excel and clear communication skills, significantly boosts an entry-level geotechnical engineer’s effectiveness within multidisciplinary teams.
Starting as a geotechnical engineer opens pathways to specialize in foundation design, seismic stability, or dam inspections. With experience and licensure, professionals can progress to senior engineering roles, project management, or consulting positions, particularly in power generation and renewable energy sectors.
At Sargent & Lundy, new engineers engage in diverse, high-impact projects, including domestic and international power plant designs. The role emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and offers exposure to advanced geotechnical challenges, supported by a culture that values professional development and comprehensive benefits.
Employees enjoy award-winning benefits including comprehensive health plans, flexible work arrangements, merit scholarships, and relocation support. The company’s strong focus on work-life balance and career advancement makes it an attractive place for engineers seeking stability and growth in a demanding field.
Entry Level Geotechnical Engineers in Chicago with Sargent & Lundy can expect a salary between $60,660 and $87,090 annually. This range reflects local market conditions and includes eligibility for bonuses and a robust benefits package, offering competitive total compensation for early-career professionals.
Hands-on fieldwork is highly valued, as it complements technical design skills. Experience in subsurface exploration, onsite quality surveillance, and construction oversight enhances understanding of real-world project constraints, which is especially critical in Chicago's dynamic power infrastructure projects.
A frequent misunderstanding is that entry-level roles lack diversity in tasks. In truth, early-career geotechnical engineers often engage in a wide range of activities from soil parameter analysis to collaborating on multidisciplinary designs, particularly in a multifaceted environment like Chicago’s industrial sector.
Yes, US citizenship is required, mainly because many projects involve nuclear power facilities with strict government security regulations. This ensures compliance and smooth collaboration on sensitive infrastructure projects within the energy and industrial group.