Geotechnical Engineer
What's it like to be a Geotechnical Engineer?
A Geotechnical Engineer is crucial in ensuring the safety of people on a proposed construction site before any infrastructure is built. They assess rock and soil to determine the requirements for safe construction. Mostly working in the field, a Geotechnical Engineer is in charge of reviewing an area and surveying its environmental features such as soil, rock formations, and the weather or climate to determine whether construction or engineering is safe or feasible.
Tasks and duties
- Travelling to evaluate proposed construction sites.
- Assessing risks or geological hazards on the site based on its present environmental elements, including landslides, sinkholes, or earthquakes.
- Making recommendations for construction based on present geotechnical challenges.
- Inspecting naturally occurring formations and soil composition if necessary.
- Reviewing weather patterns or detecting weather anomalies that can affect construction feasibility.
- Coordinating and consulting with the project’s Civil Engineer to formulate a construction strategy.
How to become a Geotechnical Engineer
Geotechnical engineering is a highly specialised field that requires many years of formal education and experience.
Obtain a bachelor degree in civil engineering from a university.
Take the Professional Engineering (PE) Certification exam and gain at least 4 years of experience in a geotechnical field.
Gain a masters degree in geotechnical engineering.
Alternatively, you can work for 5 years in the geotechnical field and pass the Specialist Registration Examination in geotechnical engineering.
Apply as a Specialist Professional Engineer in Geotechnical Engineering before the Professional Engineers Board.
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