Geotechnical Engineer, Dams and Hydraulic

Position Overview

Kiewit is seeking a Geotechnical Engineer to support the analysis, design, and delivery of hydropower, dam, and hydraulic structure projects across North America. This hands-on technical role focuses on engineering analyses and calculations, interpretation of geotechnical data, and preparation of practical designs, drawings, specifications, technical memoranda, and reports.

You will join Kiewit’s strong, experienced geotechnical team and work alongside multidisciplinary engineering teams, construction partners, and clients. Our geotechnical professionals are ready to mentor and support an eager engineer who wants to learn and grow, build sound technical judgment, and progressively take on greater technical, coordination, and leadership responsibilities.

Why Join Kiewit’s Hydropower & Dams Team?

• Work on large and/or complex hydropower and dam projects across Canada and the U.S.
• Gain hands-on experience performing analyses and preparing practical designs that are built by Kiewit, with direct and continuous feedback from construction teams
• Learn from a strong and supportive geotechnical team through active mentoring, technical reviews, field exposure, and knowledge sharing
• Build experience across the project life cycle, from site investigation and design through construction support and multidisciplinary delivery
• Develop technical and project leadership skills through progressively greater responsibility and support of the team’s technical and project leads

At Kiewit, we deliver some of the most challenging and meaningful infrastructure projects in North America. Our integrated design‑construction approach allows engineers to see their work built and to collaborate directly with construction teams to deliver innovative, practical solutions.

District Overview

Kiewit Infrastructure Engineering seamlessly transitions solutions from design to construction through the collaborative efforts of Design Engineering, Design Management, Proposals, Estimating, and Integrated Project Controls. Our construction-focused engineering approach involves a multidisciplinary team working together to maximize value for clients by improving schedules, controlling costs, and minimizing risk on infrastructure projects. This integrated strategy emphasizes collaboration and constructability throughout the project lifecycle, enabling us to identify and implement quality solutions with a strong safety focus. 

Clients benefit from Kiewit’s proven processes and tools, which minimize project risk. As an in-house resource, we support projects across the company, in all major markets, sharing experiences, innovative concepts, and best practices. Kiewit’s management and implementation of this process result in safe, cost-effective, and innovative designs that exceed client expectations and uphold Kiewit’s legacy of excellence. 

At Kiewit, we believe in building more than just structures – we build relationships, strengthen communities, and expand workforce capacity. We don't just build projects; we build careers. With top-notch health benefits, a wealth-building 401k plan (RRSP), and unbeatable growth opportunities, we are deeply invested in the future of our employees. Join us at Kiewit, where we go beyond construction to develop the ultimate road to success. 

Location

• This position will be based out of Oakville, ON, with occasional travel as business necessitates to project sites and other offices (up to 15%).
• Other Kiewit offices may be considered based on the candidate's experience.
• Position could qualify for flexible remote work based on the candidate experience.

Responsibilities

Geotechnical Analysis, Design & Reporting

• Review and interpret geological and geotechnical information, including borehole logs, field observations, laboratory test results, instrumentation data, design criteria, and previous studies.
• Perform geotechnical and/or geological analyses and engineering calculations under the guidance of experienced engineers for foundations, embankments, slopes, underground works, and appurtenant structures.
• Support evaluations of bearing capacity, settlement, slope and embankment stability, seepage, deformation, earth pressures, and seismic or liquefaction response, as applicable to each project.
• Develop geotechnical parameters, assumptions, models, design criteria, and recommendations, clearly documenting their basis and limitations.
• Prepare and organize calculation packages, design notes, technical memoranda, geotechnical reports, specifications, sketches, drawings, and other design deliverables.
• Evaluate design alternatives and help develop safe, practical, and constructible solutions that meet project requirements and applicable codes and standards.
• Coordinate with designers and multidisciplinary engineers to incorporate geotechnical analyses and recommendations into project drawings, models, and specifications.
• Maintain clear and traceable design documentation, address technical review comments, and help improve design quality and efficiency through new tools and workflows, including responsible use of AI-enabled solutions.

Field & Construction Support

• Assist with geotechnical investigations, field data collection, sample and laboratory testing coordination, and documentation of site conditions.
• Support instrumentation or monitoring programs, construction observations, and the organization and interpretation of field information.
• Help evaluate differences between anticipated and encountered ground conditions and communicate relevant findings to the project team.
• Assist project teams with requests for information, submittals, non-conformities, constructability concerns, and other technical issues under appropriate senior review.

Collaboration, Growth & Leadership Support

• Collaborate with civil, structural, hydraulic, mechanical, electrical, construction, and project controls personnel, as well as external design partners.
• Support project and discipline leads with technical coordination, task planning, risk identification, schedule tracking, design reviews, and preparation for client, contractor, regulator, and stakeholder meetings.
• As experience develops, coordinate defined technical tasks or small work packages, provide peer support to interns or less-experienced team members with senior guidance, and contribute to proposals, lessons learned, and practice-improvement initiatives.

Quality & Safety

• Complete work in accordance with Kiewit’s design quality management program, applicable professional standards, and project-specific requirements; perform self-checks and support independent reviews of calculations, drawings, specifications, and reports.
• Actively support a collaborative culture focused on safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Geological, Geotechnical, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Two to five years of relevant geotechnical engineering experience.
• Registration, or eligibility for registration, with the engineering regulator in the province of employment, with a commitment to work toward professional licensure.
• Experience performing or contributing to geotechnical analyses and calculations and preparing technical memoranda, reports, drawings, specifications, or other design deliverables.
• Ability to interpret geotechnical investigation information, laboratory test results, field observations, and instrumentation or monitoring data.
• Strong analytical, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently on clearly defined assignments while seeking guidance when appropriate and collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Willingness to travel periodically to project offices and job sites.

Preferred (Not Required)

• Exposure to hydropower, dams, hydraulic structures, or other major water, energy, mining, transportation, or heavy civil infrastructure projects.
• Master’s degree or PhD in a geotechnical or geological-related field.
• Fluent in French and English (written and spoken).
• Familiarity with relevant geotechnical analysis or numerical modelling software, data-analysis tools, CAD-based design workflows, or design automation.
• Experience supporting site investigations, construction observations, instrumentation programs, or construction-phase activities.
• Exposure to integrated or contractor-led delivery models such as Design-Build, EPC, or Progressive Design-Build.
• Interest in constructability, AI-aided work-flows, design innovation, digital tools, professional development, and continuous improvement.
• Interest in supporting other water or infrastructure markets part time as project needs and individual development interests align. #LI-GH