Staff or Project Geotechnical Engineer

Dan Brown and Associates, LLC (DBA) is seeking to hire one or more Staff (1-3 years experience) or Project (3-5 years experience) Geotechnical Engineers in California. Note that professional experience includes internship, co-op, or similar work performed during or between college degrees. The ideal candidate would be located in the San Luis Obispo, CA area to facilitate face-to-face interaction and mentoring from senior staff. Depending on experience, location or relocation to other areas of California is possible once candidate has demonstrated the ability to work independently. The position is primarily remote with travel required for in-person meetings and field work.

If interested in this position, please use the “quick apply” feature or contact Ben Turner, Ph.D., P.E., G.E., P.Eng., DBA Senior Engineer at bturner-at-dba.world or 305-7823, area code 805.

About DBA

We are a consulting firm specializing in geotechnical and foundation engineering with an emphasis on problem solving related to deep foundations, earth retention systems, slope stabilization, and earthquake engineering. DBA is a recognized industry leader in these fields and offers opportunities to work on high profile projects in the transportation infrastructure and private sectors throughout the USA and Canada. Check out our website to learn more about the projects we've worked on, research we participate in, and our current staff: https://danbrownandassociates.com/ 

About the Position

General descriptions for the Staff and Project-level positions are included below. Strong oral and written communication skills are a must. PE licensure in California is required once the employee has met the qualification requirements. Please be aware of the following requirements that pertain to this position: (1) candidate must have or be on track to complete an MS degree in Geotechnical Engineering, and (2) a willingness to travel for meetings and field work.

In addition, qualified candidates will have completed graduate-level coursework in geotechnical earthquake engineering. Nearly every DBA project in California and many other regions requires seismic design, so an understanding of earthquake ground motions, site response, liquefaction and ground failure, ground improvement, and seismic foundation design is an integral part of our work.

STAFF ENGINEER

Entry level position requiring 1-3 years of experience, with internship experience strongly valued for recent graduates. These individuals are selected primarily based on educational credentials and perceived suitability to function productively in the DBA culture.

Minimum Staff Engineer Requirements:

• MS degree in geotechnical engineering.
• Personal skills consistent with needs of professional consulting practice.
• Willingness to learn through multiple field and office tasks.

Typical Staff Engineer Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Works under the direction and guidance of senior staff.
• Performs field work at project sites – observing construction, performing tests, recording test data, and other duties within the scope of DBA on the project.
• Performs design analyses and calculations.
• Assists with deliverable preparation.
• Develops oral and written communications skills.

PROJECT ENGINEER

The Project Engineer level requires more advanced skills and related experience than the Staff Engineer.  This individual typically has 3-5 years of post-educational experience and has obtained their Professional Engineer license.  The Project Engineer is expected to be able to handle small and generally single-task projects or individual aspects of larger projects under the supervision of a Senior or Principal Engineer.

Minimum Project Engineer Requirements:

• MS Degree in engineering, or MS plus Ph.D.
• Professional Engineer licensure.
• Three years minimum related experience including demonstrated mastery of Staff Engineer duties.
• Demonstrated basic project management skills.
• Demonstrated written and oral communications skills.

Typical Project Engineer Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Works under the direction and guidance of senior engineers.
• Performs field work and provides leadership at project sites – observing construction, performing tests, recording test data, and other duties within the scope of DBA on the project.
• Provides supervision/guidance of Staff Engineers on a project.
• Performs design analyses and calculations.
• Writes or contributed to deliverables.
• Learns concepts for cost estimating and proposal writing.
• Continues to develop oral and written communications skills.
• Involved with client contact (written and oral) under supervision of Senior and Principal Engineers.
• Learns concepts of client invoice preparation and collections.
• Coordinates the work of sub-consultants/sub-contractors for a project.
• Takes on project management responsibilities.
• Participates in professional or technical organizations at a national level.