Why DOWL?
DOWL is a top-ranked, multi-disciplined consulting firm with over 60 years of experience in civil engineering and related services. Our in-house expertise spans Civil and Land Development, Construction-Related Services, Transportation and Structures, and Water and Environmental Services. At DOWL, you’re valued. We support your growth, offer great benefits, and foster a culture of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork.
Geosciences Market Sector
At DOWL, our Geosciences team is at the core of safe, efficient, and successful infrastructure development. Whether it’s a building, bridge, utility, roadway, or dam, every project starts with a deep understanding of what lies beneath. Our geoscience professionals apply advanced knowledge in soil and rock mechanics, geophysical surveys, and soils engineering to solve real-world challenges and deliver practical, data-driven solutions. From initial planning and permitting to hands-on fieldwork, analysis, and construction support, we evaluate subsurface conditions to guide every stage of development. If you're passionate about applying geoscience to build smarter, safer infrastructure, we invite you to bring your expertise to our collaborative and forward-thinking team.
Summary
The Geotechnical Engineer 2 plays a key role in delivering advanced geotechnical analysis and design, coordinating drilling operations, outlining and interpreting laboratory testing, and contributing to high‑quality geotechnical reports for projects of significant size and complexity. This role blends technical rigor with hands‑on field work, requiring the ability to travel for extended periods to support on‑site investigations. Supported by licensed senior staff, the engineer applies strong judgement, organization, and a solid command of geotechnical fundamentals while continuing to learn new analysis methods. Success in this position comes from working collaboratively, embracing feedback, managing select project tasks, and consistently demonstrating the work ethic and technical excellence needed to drive safe, reliable, and innovative geotechnical solutions.
Job Responsibilities and Duties
To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Software
- Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) - Proficient
- Market Sector Software (gINT, Geosystems) - Advanced
- Rocscience Suite, GeoStudio Suite, Piles/Piers - Proficient
- Retaining Wall, AASHTO - Basic
Technical Expertise
- Fully proficient understanding of technical fundamentals related to the market sector
- Leads technical efforts on a variety of project types, sizes, and complexities
- Mentors others on technical tasks and skills
- Performs quality control of moderately complex deliverables
Teamwork
Team player who leads small teams (1-2 people) to complete challenging assignments. Is an independent thinker, provides clear communication and direction to others, and takes responsibility for their results.
Project Delivery
Produces the following independently and oversees others with less experience:
- Proposals/cost estimates
- Technical reports and memos
- Exploration plans
- Laboratory requests
- Design details
- Calculations
- Modeling/software outputs
Understanding Budget and Schedule
Strong understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Able to predict and deliver individual tasks within a set level of effort. Able to consistently meet budget and schedule expectations on projects. Develops budgets and schedules for complex tasks. Breaks down complex projects into logical tasks. Mentors others on above. Able to prioritize multiple assignments to successfully deliver all assigned projects on time and on budget.
Industry Standards and Regulations
- Interprets, selects, and employs the following design codes with advanced skill:
- ASCE 7
- AASHTO
- IBC
- Local Codes
- Actively mentors others on interpreting design codes
- Understands limitations of design codes
Client Interaction
Frequent and direct communications with clients to resolve technical issues on moderate to complex projects. Leads client project meetings. Understands appropriate messaging and legal risks.
Other
Other duties as assigned.
Level of Work/Accountability
Performs advanced levels of technical work on large, complex projects as a trusted technical member of the market sector. Operates with a high level of autonomy. Reviews the work of others. Will perform some project management tasks.
Supervisory Duties
May be a supervisor:
- Oversees team operations and the daily workflow of the team
- Organizes workflow and ensures that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks
- Recruits and hires new employees
- Implements training for new hires and identifies training opportunities for current staff
- Communicates information from leadership to employees and vice versa
- Monitors employee productivity and provides constructive feedback and coaching
- Sets goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with company’s plans and vision and communicates them to employees
- Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations
- Decides on reward and promotion based on performance
- Handles discipline and termination of employees as needed and in accordance with company policy
Education and/or Experience
- Bachelor's Degree required
- Years of experience required: 6 years
- Years of experience required with advanced degree: 5 years (MS), 4 years (PhD)
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
- PE required
- Must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
Ability to dig with shovel or digging bars; ability to walk and hike through rough terrain, snow, and ice; and routinely lift and carry between 30 and 50 pounds. May need to work at remote sites.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work may be split between the field and office. Field work is performed outdoors during year-round weather conditions. Work ranges from high-density urban to extremely remote settings. Individuals must be prepared to adapt quickly from one extreme to the other.
In the field: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to moderately loud due to the proximity to construction sites and related equipment.
In the office: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
