Geotechnical Engineer Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Geotechnical Engineer

Best Schools to become a Geotechnical Engineer in U.S. 2024

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA

In-State Tuition:$11,564
Out-of-State Tuition:$41,636
Admission Rate:11%
Graduation Rate:94%
Total Enrollment:45,307

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA

In-State Tuition:$12,104
Out-of-State Tuition:$31,754
Admission Rate:57%
Graduation Rate:86%
Total Enrollment:38,170

Texas A & M University-College Station

College Station, TX

In-State Tuition:$8,815
Out-of-State Tuition:$36,239
Admission Rate:63%
Graduation Rate:84%
Total Enrollment:74,014

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA

In-State Tuition:$5,742
Out-of-State Tuition:$17,622
Admission Rate:55%
Graduation Rate:66%
Total Enrollment:27,503

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL

In-State Tuition:$14,542
Out-of-State Tuition:$35,122
Admission Rate:45%
Graduation Rate:85%
Total Enrollment:56,916

New Jersey Institute of Technology

Newark, NJ

In-State Tuition:$15,198
Out-of-State Tuition:$31,658
Admission Rate:66%
Graduation Rate:74%
Total Enrollment:12,332
Geotechnical Engineer Job Description:
  • Conduct subsurface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites.
  • May specify the ground support systems, processes, and equipment for safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction or underground construction activities.
  • May inspect areas for unsafe geological conditions, equipment, and working conditions.
  • May design, implement, and coordinate mine safety programs.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Geotechnical Engineer

Job Duties for Geotechnical Engineers

  • Inspect mining areas for unsafe structures, equipment, and working conditions.

  • Prepare technical reports for use by mining, engineering, and management personnel.

  • Select or develop mineral location, extraction, and production methods, based on factors such as safety, cost, and deposit characteristics.

Technologies and Skills Used by Geotechnical Engineers

Analytical or scientific software

  • Maptek Vulcan
  • Ventsim

Data base user interface and query software

  • MySQL
  • Oracle Database

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Basic Skills

  • Reading work related information
  • Talking to others

People and Technology Systems

  • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Geotechnical Engineer

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Geotechnical Engineer

FAQs About Becoming a Geotechnical Engineer