
Entry-Level (Staff) Geotechnical Engineer
Newport News, VAJob$68–95K/yrSeen todaySeen in employer's feed today
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At a glance
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Requirements
Credentials this posting asks for.
Job overview
Schnabel Engineering is seeking an entry-level staff engineer for its Newport News office. The role supports geotechnical field work, analysis, design, construction observation, materials testing, and reporting. The candidate will develop field and analytical skills while working with a team. The position includes field assignments and travel, which may last several months away from the office.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Benefits
Full job description
Description
Schnabel is an employee-owned, professional engineering and consulting firm that focuses on solving problems related to the earth and environment through specialization in geotechnical, geostructural, tunnel, and dam engineering. Schnabel’s high standards for quality, business ethics, and concern for the communities in which we live are a vital part of who we are. Schnabel is an ENR Top 500 Design Firm with 700+ employees in 32 offices throughout the United States.
Recognized by CE News as one of the Best Engineering Firms to Work for, Schnabel provides employees with a competitive benefits package including maternity leave, tuition reimbursement for continuing education, health, dental, life and disability insurance and a wellness program. As an employee-owned company, through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, Schnabel employees directly benefit from the success of our growing firm.
Benefit options include:
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Medical insurance
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Dental insurance
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Flexible spending accounts
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Employee life & ADD insurance (100% company-paid)
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Short-term disability (100% company-paid)
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Long-term disability
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Supplemental life insurance
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401(k) and profit-sharing plan
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Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)
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Bonus program
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Paid time off
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9 Paid Holidays
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Wellness program
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Professional development and tuition reimbursement
Job Description:
Are you looking for interesting and meaningful work, a fun and flexible atmosphere, and opportunities to learn, grow, and excel? If so, then welcome to Schnabel! We approach problems with creativity and innovation. The Newport News, Va office of Schnabel Engineering is seeking an Entry-Level (Staff) Engineer to join our growing practice. We are looking for a motivated candidate with an interest in developing both field and analytical skills, a passion to continue to develop as a professional, and a desire to be part of a strong team.
Job Responsibilities:
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Use GIS and GPS to aid in planning and executing geotechnical field work
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Log test borings
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Oversight of subcontractors including drillers, and traffic control
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Create basic plans and figures using AutoCAD and GIS
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Assign and review laboratory tests
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Perform calculations to support geotechnical designs
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Provide support on preparation of geotechnical reports and proposals
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Observe geotechnical-related construction and perform materials testing
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Plan and coordinate geotechnical and materials testing field work
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Prepare field reports
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Review geotechnical and materials testing reports
Required Skills/Experience:
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0-2 years of relevant professional experience
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Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Geology or related field
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Excellent oral and written communication skills
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Positive attitude
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Ability to multi-task
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Strong work ethic and a desire for continual self-improvement
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Willingness and ability to perform field work and travel, including assignments that may last several months away from the office
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Ability to lift 50 pounds and be physically able to negotiate construction sites, enter trenches, climb ladders and work outside
Preferred Skills/Experience:
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Prior internship or professional work in a related field (i.e. geotechnical engineering, construction, civil engineering, etc.)
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Master’s degree
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EIT certification
Other Requirements:
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Must possess a valid U.S. driver’s license as driving is an essential function of the job
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Ability to pass a background check which may include criminal history, motor vehicle record and credit check
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Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screening
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Worksite Access Requirement: This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain client-required access authorization for assigned worksites, including limited access facilities. The access process is administered by the client and may include identity verification, background screening, safety or security training, credentialing, and other site-specific requirements.
The compensation range for this position is between $68,000 to $95,000. Compensation for this position may vary based on geographic location and other factors. We remain committed to providing competitive and equitable compensation to all employees, regardless of their location.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
How this job compares
Set against the 1,172 open Geotechnical Engineer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 11, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$68–95K/yr
- Virginia median$90–157K/yr26 salary ranges
- US median$91–160K/yr847 salary ranges
This range's midpoint, $82K, is 35% below the Virginia median midpoint ($125K) — in the lowest quarter of Geotechnical Engineer salary ranges in Virginia.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 28 open Geotechnical Engineer jobs in Virginia and 1,172 across the US. 1% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in Virginia
- CDM Smith12 open
- Schnabel Engineering (this employer)7 open
- Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, LLC3 open
- Experience
- This posting asks for no prior experience — less than three in four Geotechnical Engineer postings that state a minimum ask for (median 7 years, across 1,039 postings).
- Education
- This posting asks for a bachelor's degree; 763 of the 1,172 open Geotechnical Engineer jobs (65%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 11, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.
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