Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Joining Arup

Arup's purpose, shared values, and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

We are hiring a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to be based in Seattle, San Francisco, or Los Angeles . The ideal candidate will have geotechnical investigation, design, and construction observation experience for large site development projects (such as data centers) and/or coastal/waterfront structures. Key areas of expertise should include earthworks, foundations, geotextiles, erosion mitigation, slope stability, and geotechnical instrumentation.

The Opportunity

• Planning and executing subsurface investigation and laboratory testing programs.
• Performing geotechnical design and analysis for foundations, embankments, retaining walls, excavations, pavements, earthworks, slope stabilization, and underground structures.
• Interacting with civil and structural engineers to collaborate in the design of foundations, utilities, pavements, and civil structures.
• Evaluating and assessing data from field instrumentation (settlement, ground movement around excavations and load tests of piles and anchors) to calibrate predicted performance with actual performance.
• Leading the geotechnical design and construction administration for site development projects, including data centers, and/or waterfront structures.
• Assisting and eventually leading business development activities
• Occasional travel as required for site visits

At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective - in which we encourage individuality to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas.

You will have the opportunity to do socially useful work that has meaning - to Arup, to your career, to our members and to the clients and communities we serve.


Is this role right for you?

• Master's Degree or PhD in Geotechnical Engineering
• PE Required. PE and GE in California preferred
• Minimum 6 years of experience in geotechnical engineering practice with emphasis on site development and/or heavy civil structures.
• Proven experience in geotechnical project planning, analyses, design, construction observation, and preparation of deliverables
• Working knowledge of seismic analysis and codes
• Familiarity with soil hazards in a variety of soil conditions
• Experience with finite element software for static and seismic soil-structure interaction is preferred using software such as PLAXIS, FLAC, and/or LS-DYNA

Notable projects:

• Confidential data center projects for large tech clients, various locations
• SFPW Geotechnical On-Call, San Francisco, CA
• Valley Water Geotechnical On-Call, San Jose, CA
• BART to Silicon Valley CP2 Tunnel, San Jose, CA
• Sound Transit Operations Maintenance Facility, Seattle, WA
• UCLA Station Seismic Soil-Structure Interaction Analysis, Los Angeles, CA

Please note that all applicants must apply directly via the job portal.If this role is not quite what you are looking for, but you are interested in other opportunities for a future with purpose, please sign up to ourTalent Communitywhere you will be kept up to date with roles suitable for you to shape a better world.


What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each member's success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognizes the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive - through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup's legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

Benefits at Work - At Arup, we have a comprehensive and valuable benefits program that works for our employees and their families while keeping costs low. These benefits provide health and welfare security for you as well as paid time off for rest and renewal. As a member of Arup, everyone shares in our success through a global profit share scheme (payments are dependent on the firm's financial performance). Our Global Profit Share Plan (paid bi-annually) provides an opportunity for you to share in the success of the Firm. As a valued employee of Arup, you can also choose to participate in our 401(k) plan with up to 10% company match to help you save for your future

Flexible Working - We believe that flexible arrangements create a more inclusive way of working that supports our diversity and the wellbeing of our people. Options for alternative schedules and the ability to work outside of the office for a portion of your workweek are available

San Francisco Hiring Range - Hiring Range - The good faith base salary hiring range for this job if performed in San Francisco is $140,000 to $160,000 per year. This range is commensurate with experience, educational background, and skill level. Benefits are not included in the base salary. Please note hiring ranges for candidates performing work outside of San Francisco will differ.


Different People, Shared Values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you're pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas - this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion - we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at


Our Application Process

We will be reviewing our candidates for this position on a rolling basis. Once you have applied you will be evaluated and potentially moved on to the next round, at which point a member of the talent resourcing team will reach out to you directly.

Arup is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, spouse of a protected veteran, or disability.

Stay safe online. Recruitment fraud is on the rise, and Arup's name, logo, and branding have been used in fraudulent job advertisements. Arup will never ask for bank information as part of our recruitment process.

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