About Us

At HDR, we specialize in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. While we are most well-known for adding beauty and structure to communities through high-performance buildings and smart infrastructure, we provide much more than that. We create an unshakable foundation for progress because our multidisciplinary teams also include scientists, economists, builders, analysts and artists. That's why we believe diversity is our greatest strength. HDR is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer.

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We believe that the way we work can add meaning and value to the world. That ideas inspire positive change. That coloring outside the lines can illuminate fresh perspectives. And that small details yield important realizations. Above all, we believe that collaboration is the best way forward.

HDR is seeking a Geotechnical Engineer to support our expanding our KY/TN/AR geotechnical section in our Paducah, KY office. The individual could also potentially sit in other area offices including Brentwood, TN, Chattanooga, TN, or Memphis, TN as well as Lexington or Louisville, KY, and Little Rock, Arkansas.

Primary Responsibilities

In the role of a Geotechnical Engineer, the primary duties are to plan, execute, and complete geotechnical tasks on assigned projects independently and collaboratively. This position may be required to review design and construction submittals for geotechnical compliance with applicable codes, design standards, project requirements, and contract documents.

• Must be familiar with geotechnical investigations and design activities for transportation (bridges, retaining walls, pavements, roadway), dams, levees, hydraulic structures, and railroad projects. Involved in communication with both internal and external clients.
• Perform geotechnical technical analyses, prepare proposals and reports, and coordinate with designers and contractors to implement recommendations on plans and in the field.
• Engaged in supporting the development of technical scope of works and fee proposals, as well as responses to RFP's related to geotechnical services.
• This position may function as a technical specialist or project manager, but project management is not the sole focus of the position. There may be the opportunity to eventually supervise a staff of professionals.

The Geotechnical Engineer is a leadership role that involves planning, organizing, and coordinating the work of entry- and mid-level professionals. Candidate must be able to independently make decisions and recommendations that will impact a project's activities and direction. The candidate will be a technical expert, leader, and authority in projects, and but not limited to USACE, AREMA, LRFD, etc.

This individual is required to exhibit excellent communication skills, the ability to work collaboratively with team members and clients, and the demonstrated expertise in managing several complex tasks simultaneously. They also will perform other duties as needed.

Primary Skills and Projects:
- Deep Foundations
- Shallow Foundations
- Retaining Walls
- Seismic Analysis including Liquefaction and Ground Modification Design
- Lateral Analyses
- Experience in subsurface investigations
- Field & laboratory testing and the determination of in-situ material properties
- Soil compaction and earthwork construction
- Soil mechanics
- Dams, levees and hydraulic structures
- Seepage and piping
- Foundation inspection and assessment
- Landslide and slope stability evaluations
- Bearing capacity and settlement
- Design and construction of foundations on alluvial soils
- Design and construction of foundations on karst bedrock geology, foundation inspection and assessment
- Erosion protection design

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Required Qualifications

• BSCE degree or higher in geotechnical engineering
• 4 years of demonstrated experience in geotechnical engineering and in the specific field of transportation infrastructure, dams, levees, hydraulic structures, and railroads.
• PE with the ability to obtain KY/TN through reciprocity.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications, required
• Proficient with geotechnical software including gINT, Slope/W, Seep /W, APILE, LPILE, MSEW3.0, GRLWeap, Settle3D (or other settlement software), as well as the ability to develop and execute designs using spreadsheets and MATHCAD, strongly desired
• Independently complete proposal preparation and develop geotechnical data/engineering reports, required
• Experienced with the review of other's work for compliance with project technical requirements as applied on project submittals, required
• Ability to independently complete and/or coordinate analyses associated with settlement, slope stability and embankment design, foundation design, retaining wall design, lateral deep foundation response, required
• Successful candidate will have an attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture.
• Project Management experience a plus.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and ability to work in a team environment.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications

* MSCE preferred

Why HDR

At HDR, we know work isn't only about who you work for it's also about what you do and how you do it. Led by the strength of our values and a culture shaped by employee ownership, we network with each other, build on each other's contributions, and collaborate together to make great things possible. When you join HDR, we give you license to do the same. We help you take charge of your career, giving you multiple growth opportunities along the way.