Geotechnical Engineer P.E.

Geotechnical Engineer / Project Engineer - P.E. Company: Triax Engineering, LLC Location: Colorado Front Range / Denver Metro Area Position Type: Full-Time Experience: 5+ years Licensure: Professional Engineer required, preferably licensed in Colorado or able to obtain Colorado licensure by comity About Triax Engineering Triax Engineering, LLC is a Colorado-based engineering firm providing geotechnical engineering, construction materials testing, special inspections, QA/QC testing, geotechnical drilling coordination, and Phase I Environmental Site Assessments. Since our founding in 2014, we have built our reputation on quality, service, integrity, and practical engineering solutions. We are seeking a qualified Geotechnical Engineer / Project Engineer with a Professional Engineer license and strong technical judgment to support and manage geotechnical projects from proposal through final report delivery. Experience with construction materials testing and inspections is a strong plus. Position Summary The Geotechnical Engineer / Project Engineer will be responsible for planning, managing, analyzing, and delivering geotechnical engineering projects for commercial, municipal, transportation, educational, industrial, and infrastructure developments. The position requires strong technical competence in subsurface investigations, soil and rock engineering, shallow and deep foundation analysis, pavement design, expansive soil evaluation, retaining wall recommendations, construction recommendations, and geotechnical report preparation. The ideal candidate will have at least five years of progressively responsible geotechnical engineering experience, a Professional Engineer license, and the ability to manage projects, mentor junior staff, communicate with clients, and produce technically sound, defensible engineering recommendations. Experience with construction materials testing, special inspections, field technician coordination, and construction-phase QA/QC services is preferred. Primary Responsibilities Geotechnical EngineeringPrepare and review geotechnical engineering reports, letters, addenda, and technical memoranda.Develop subsurface investigation programs, including boring layout, boring depths, sampling intervals, laboratory testing plans, and drilling coordination.Interpret boring logs, laboratory test results, groundwater observations, geologic information, and site development plans.Perform geotechnical engineering analyses related to:Allowable bearing capacity for shallow foundations.Settlement and heave estimates.Expansive soil evaluation and mitigation.Drilled pier and deep foundation recommendations.Retaining wall lateral earth pressures.Passive resistance and sliding resistance.Slab-on-grade recommendations.Pavement section design.Subgrade stabilization.Over-excavation and structural fill recommendations.Excavation and groundwater considerations.Soil corrosion and sulfate exposure interpretation.Prepare recommendations for foundations, slabs-on-grade, structural fill, moisture conditioning, retaining walls, pavements, earthwork, excavation, drainage, and construction-related geotechnical considerations.Apply applicable codes and standards, including IBC, ASCE 7, ACI, ASTM, AASHTO, CDOT, local municipal criteria, and project-specific requirements.Review project plans and specifications for consistency with geotechnical recommendations.Provide geotechnical consultation during construction, including changed-condition evaluations, unsuitable soil recommendations, foundation bearing observations, pier drilling observations, and contractor submittal review. Project ManagementManage geotechnical projects from proposal and scoping through field exploration, laboratory testing, engineering analysis, report preparation, and project closeout.Prepare proposals, scopes of work, fee estimates, and schedules for geotechnical engineering services.Coordinate with clients, architects, structural engineers, civil engineers, contractors, owners, public agencies, drilling crews, and internal project teams.Monitor project budgets, schedules, deliverables, and invoicing progress.Communicate clearly with clients regarding project status, technical findings, recommendations, and potential risks.Support business development through client communication, proposal preparation, and maintaining strong professional relationships. Construction Materials Testing and Inspection Coordination Experience with the construction materials testing side is a plus. Responsibilities may include coordination or technical support related to:Earthwork observation and compaction testing.Foundation excavation observations.Concrete testing and placement observations.Reinforcing steel observations.Masonry inspections.Asphalt testing and pavement construction observations.Special inspections and construction QA/QC services.Review of field reports and test results for consistency with project specifications and geotechnical recommendations.Coordination with field technicians, inspectors, project managers, contractors, and owners.Providing engineering input when field conditions differ from the geotechnical report or project specifications. Field and Laboratory CoordinationCoordinate subsurface exploration activities with drillers, utility locators, property owners, and project teams.Provide field engineering support during drilling, sampling, test pit exploration, and construction observation.Develop appropriate laboratory testing programs based on project needs and subsurface conditions.Review laboratory test data for completeness, consistency, and engineering relevance.Coordinate with construction materials testing and inspection staff where geotechnical recommendations transition into construction-phase earthwork, foundation, pavement, or structural fill observation. Quality Control and MentoringReview technical work prepared by staff engineers, field engineers, and technicians.Mentor junior engineers and technical staff in geotechnical analysis, field procedures, laboratory interpretation, report writing, and professional judgment.Promote consistent, high-quality report preparation and technically defensible recommendations.Support internal quality control procedures and help improve standard report language, calculation templates, and technical workflows.Assist in improving coordination between geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing operations. Required QualificationsBachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Geological Engineering, or a closely related field.Professional Engineer license required.Minimum of 5 years of geotechnical engineering experience.Strong experience preparing geotechnical engineering reports.Working knowledge of soil mechanics, foundation engineering, pavement design, earthwork, and construction recommendations.Ability to evaluate expansive soils, collapsible soils, fill materials, groundwater conditions, and variable subsurface conditions.Experience with shallow foundations, drilled piers, retaining walls, slabs-on-grade, pavements, and construction-related geotechnical recommendations.Familiarity with ASTM, AASHTO, IBC, ASCE 7, ACI, and local Colorado Front Range geotechnical practice.Strong written and verbal communication skills.Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.Ability to visit project sites, observe field operations, and perform occasional field engineering duties. Preferred QualificationsColorado Professional Engineer license.Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or related field.7+ years of geotechnical engineering experience.Experience with Colorado Front Range geology, expansive claystone, clayey soils, undocumented fill, and variable groundwater conditions.Experience with public-sector, school, municipal, transportation, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects.Experience with construction materials testing, special inspections, field technician coordination, and construction-phase QA/QC services.Familiarity with CDOT requirements and pavement design procedures.Experience using geotechnical software for settlement, slope stability, lateral earth pressure, deep foundation, pavement, and retaining wall analyses.Experience reviewing construction plans and specifications.Experience mentoring junior engineers, staff engineers, technicians, or inspectors.Experience supporting business development, proposal preparation, and client relationship management. Desired Technical Skills The candidate should have practical experience with several of the following:Subsurface investigation planning.Boring log and lab data interpretation.Foundation bearing capacity and settlement calculations.Expansive soil and heave evaluation.Moisture conditioning and structural fill recommendations.Drilled pier and deep foundation analysis.Retaining wall lateral earth pressure recommendations.Passive resistance and sliding resistance evaluation.Pavement design and subgrade support evaluation.Groundwater and temporary dewatering considerations.Excavation stability and OSHA soil classification considerations.Construction-phase geotechnical observation and consultation.Construction materials testing coordination.Field report and laboratory test review.Geotechnical report preparation and technical review. Key Personal AttributesStrong engineering judgment.Practical, solutions-oriented approach.High attention to detail.Clear and professional communication style.Ability to balance technical rigor with constructability and client needs.Strong commitment to quality, ethics, and safety.Ability to manage deadlines and competing priorities.Willingness to mentor and support younger engineers and technicians.Ability to work independently while collaborating with internal teams. Typical Project Types The Geotechnical Engineer / Project Engineer may work on projects including:Commercial buildings.Schools and public facilities.Municipal infrastructure.Industrial developments.Transportation and roadway projects.Pavements and parking lots.Retaining walls and site walls.Utility and drainage improvements.Telecommunication and tower sites.Parks, athletic fields, and public improvements.Construction materials testing support projects. Physical and Work Requirements This position is primarily office-based but includes periodic field work and site visits. The employee must be able to:Visit active construction and drilling sites.Walk on uneven terrain.Work around construction equipment, drilling rigs, and active job sites.Occasionally lift or carry light field equipment.Wear required personal protective equipment.Travel locally to project sites within the Denver metro area and Colorado Front Range. Compensation and Benefits Compensation will be commensurate with experience, licensure, technical capability, and project management experience. Benefits may include:Competitive salary.Health insurance options.Paid time off.Paid holidays.Professional development support.Certification and training support.Opportunity for advancement within a growing engineering firm.