Geotechnical Engineering Lead

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Project Overview:

Our customer is a utility in central Arizona looking to add 2000MW of pumped energy storage to its storage capacity to meet growing demand on its network. We are building a high performing team to deliver this complex EPC heavy civil project and looking for motivated, hands-on, collaborative innovators, doers, and problem solvers. The project will involve the use of the existing Apache lake as the lower reservoir and creation of an upper reservoir by building dams in the Alchesay Canon, the reservoirs will be connected by underground waterways tunneled into the rock, channeling water down the ~1,200ft drop between the two reservoirs. The project scope includes significant access roads work development, construction of the upper reservoir with dams and an overflow spillway, underground tunnel waterways in challenging geological and hydrogeological conditions, upper and lower reservoir inlet/outlet structures, hydromechanical equipment, an underground powerhouse, and surface site facilities and buildings. This is your opportunity to be part of a truly historic project. The project will be located in Mesa, AZ & Roosevelt, AZ  

Job Summary:

The Geotechnical Engineering Lead is the senior site-based geological and geotechnical authority for the SRP Pumped Storage Project. The position will be based in our Central Design Office in Phoenix for the 12 months then transitioning to include both design and site support.

The role provides on-site leadership, technical decision-making, and real-time geological input during detailed design and construction of underground and surface works. The position serves as the primary interface between engineering geology, construction, design, and project management, ensuring geological risks are recognized, communicated, and managed in accordance with the project’s baselined ground conditions and Bechtel procedures.

This role requires extensive experience in underground works, strong judgment, and the ability to operate autonomously in a construction environment.

Major Responsibilities:

• Working with the project owner and our design partners to coordinate and witness an updated ground investigation programme.
• Facilitate the update of the project ground model and Geotechnical Baseline Report (GBR) that will inform the detailed design and construction planning.
• Support the design and construction teams in finalizing the design and construction. This will include working closely with the project owner, owner’s engineer, and our design subcontractors.
• Serve as the senior on-site geological/geotechnical representative for the project, providing authoritative interpretation of ground conditions encountered during construction.
• Support construction of underground caverns, shafts, tunnels, and surface excavations through face mapping, rock mass characterization, and observational method implementation as applicable.
• Compare observed conditions against Geotechnical Baseline Report (GBR) expectations and support timely escalation, documentation, and resolution of ground condition issues.
• Provide geological input to construction means and methods reviews without prescribing contractor methods, consistent with EPC risk allocation.
• Interface closely with construction management, field engineering, and safety teams to support safe excavation and support installation.
• Coordinate with the home-office engineering geology and geotechnical engineering teams to ensure alignment with design intent and baselines.
• Support resolution of RFIs, field change notices, nonconformances, and claims-related technical evaluations associated with ground conditions.
• Review and comment on excavation support performance, groundwater behavior, and ground response based on field observations and instrumentation trends.
• Participate in daily coordination meetings, technical reviews, and safety-in-design and constructability workshops.
• Mentor site-based geology and field engineering staff and promote Bechtel’s safety, quality, and ethical standards.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• MS in Engineering Geology, Geological Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or closely related discipline from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in engineering geology, including significant experience on large underground infrastructure projects (hydropower, pumped storage, tunnels, caverns, or mining).

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Demonstrated experience providing on-site geological support during construction.
• Strong understanding of rock mass characterization systems, geological mapping, and groundwater conditions in hard rock environments.
• Familiarity with EPC project delivery, GBRs, and contractual risk allocation related to ground conditions.
• Strong communication skills with ability to convey geological risk clearly to non-geologists.
• Willingness and ability to remain on-site for extended periods in a construction environment.

Total Rewards/Benefits:

For decades, Bechtel has worked to inspire the next generation of employees and beyond! Because our teams face some of the world's toughest challenges, we offer robust benefits to ensure our people thrive.  Whether it is advancing careers, delivering programs to enhance our culture, or providing time to recharge, Bechtel has the benefits to build a legacy of sustainable growth. Learn more at Bechtel Total Rewards

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