Junior Geotechnical Engineer

By /
  • Contractor
  • Full Time
  • Ottawa, ON, Canada
  • 72,400 – 94,800 CAD / Year

Website Talent Ali

Junior Geotechnical Engineer

Company: Egis (Egis Canada)
Location: Ottawa, ON
Employment Type: Full-time or Contractor
Experience Level: 2–5 Years

Clean Professional Job Summary

Egis, a global leader in infrastructure and consulting with over 1,000 professionals in Canada, is seeking a Junior Geotechnical Engineer to join its growing Ottawa team. This role is a hybrid of technical design and hands-on field exploration, providing critical support for the city’s major transportation, pavement, and infrastructure developments. You will work under the mentorship of senior engineers to translate raw geological data into actionable design recommendations for foundations, retaining walls, and roadways. If you are a P.Eng. with a passion for soil mechanics and a desire to contribute to high-profile projects that shape the National Capital Region, Egis offers a “People-First” environment designed to elevate your career.

Key Responsibilities

  • Field Investigations: Lead and supervise site investigations, including drilling operations, soil sampling, and groundwater monitoring.

  • Data Analysis: Analyze soil and rock properties to support recommendations for foundation systems, slope stability, and ground improvement.

  • Technical Design: Support the design of pavements, retaining structures, and embankments using industry-standard software.

  • Reporting: Prepare technical reports, site plans, and specifications that comply with Canadian engineering codes and standards.

  • Construction Monitoring: Provide on-site technical support during the construction phase to ensure geotechnical recommendations are implemented correctly.

  • Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Coordinate with architects, structural engineers, and planners to meet project budgets and timelines.

Required Qualifications & Skills

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Geotechnical, Civil, or Geological Engineering.

  • Professional Status: Must be registered as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in Ontario.

  • Experience: 2–5 years of relevant experience, specifically in pavement design or foundation engineering.

  • Technical Software: Familiarity with tools such as GeoStudio (Slope/W), AASHTOWare, or CIRCLY.

  • Communication: Strong technical writing skills for the preparation of complex engineering reports.

  • Mobility: A valid driver’s license and willingness to perform fieldwork in various weather conditions and locations.

About the Company: Egis Canada

Egis is a major international player in the consulting, engineering, and operations sectors. In Canada, they are known for tackling large-scale infrastructure challenges with a focus on sustainability and creativity. They are a “Responsible Company,” meaning they prioritize ethical impact and “People-First” values in every project they undertake.

Market & Industry Context: Geotechnical Engineering (2026)

As of March 2026, the geotechnical sector in Ottawa is heavily influenced by rapid transit expansion and climate-resilient infrastructure requirements.

Industry Trends & Data:

  • Climate-Resilient Design: In 2026, geotechnical engineers in Ottawa are increasingly tasked with “Permafrost-like” modeling for sensitive Leda clays, which are prone to landslides during extreme weather events. Slope Stability (Slope/W) analysis has become a mandatory component for 90% of new infrastructure projects near the Ottawa River.

  • The “Leda Clay” Challenge: Ottawa sits on sensitive marine clay. Junior engineers at Egis are specialized in navigating these unique geological conditions, which require advanced ground improvement solutions.

  • AI in Recruitment: Notably, Egis is transparent about using AI-assisted recruitment in 2026. This means your resume should be optimized for both human readability and algorithmic parsing, focusing on specific keywords like “subgrade assessment” and “AASHTOWare.”

  • Salary Benchmarks: For a P.Eng. with 2–5 years of experience in Ottawa, the 2026 salary range typically falls between $82,000 – $105,000, depending on the complexity of the projects and fieldwork requirements.

Career Growth & Progression Path

  • Intermediate Geotechnical Engineer: Take on lead design roles for complex foundation systems and manage junior field staff.

  • Project Manager: Transition into the business side of engineering, managing client relationships, budgets, and project lifecycles.

  • Senior Technical Specialist: Become the firm’s subject matter expert in niche areas like seismic engineering or advanced pavement materials.

  • Principal / Partner: Drive the strategic direction of the Geotechnical division at a regional or national level.

Interview Preparation Insights

  • Fieldwork Anecdotes: Be ready to discuss a time you encountered an unexpected subgrade condition during a drilling operation and how you communicated that to your senior engineer.

  • Software Proficiency: You may be asked to walk through a basic pavement structure analysis using AASHTOWare or discuss how you set up a slope stability model.

  • Communication Skills: Since this role requires technical reporting, bring a writing sample or be prepared to discuss how you translate “soil data” into “client-friendly” recommendations.

  • Health & Safety: Egis is a “Responsible Company.” Emphasize your commitment to site safety, especially when working around heavy drilling equipment.

Perks & Benefits

  • Competitive Compensation: Salary commensurate with P.Eng. status and the current 2026 market.

  • Referral Bonus: This role is eligible for a bonus if you were referred by a current Egis employee.

  • Inclusive Environment: Egis provides strong disability accommodations and a focus on diversity and collaboration.

  • Mentorship: Access to over 1,000 experts globally to support your professional development and licensing requirements.

    Category Details & Specifications
    Employer Egis BR (Part of the global Egis Group)
    Salary Range $72,400 – $94,800 / year (Estimated 2026 Ottawa average)
    Location Ottawa, ON (Site & Office hybrid)
    Status Full-time or Contractor
    Professional Req. Registered P.Eng. (Professional Engineer)
    Key Tech GeoStudio (Slope/W), CIRCLY, AASHTOWare

    Role Breakdown: Engineering the Ground Up

    As a Junior Geotechnical Engineer at Egis, you are the bridge between raw geological data and structural reality. This role is a mix of technical design, rigorous field oversight, and multidisciplinary collaboration on Ottawa’s growing infrastructure.

    • Field Investigation & Site Supervision: You will spend significant time “in the boots,” supervising drilling operations and collecting soil/rock samples. You are responsible for identifying the stratigraphy of a site—the layering of soil and rock—which dictates everything from foundation depth to pavement thickness.

    • Geotechnical Analysis: Using software like Slope/W, you will perform stability modeling. You’ll analyze soil mechanics and groundwater levels to predict how the earth will react under the weight of a new bridge, highway, or high-rise.

    • Pavement & Foundation Design: A major focus of this role is pavement structure analysis. You will assess subgrade strength and recommend whether a project needs deep foundations (piles/caissons) or shallow footings.

    • Technical Reporting: You will translate complex data into geotechnical reports that inform structural engineers and architects. This includes providing specific recommendations for bearing capacity, settlement, and slope protection.

    2026 Ottawa Engineering & Infrastructure Insights

    Ottawa’s geotechnical landscape is dominated by the Leda Clay (sensitive marine clay), which presents unique engineering challenges regarding slope stability and settlement.

    • 2026 Salary Benchmarking: With 2–5 years of experience and a P.Eng designation, the $72k – $95k range reflects the high demand for licensed engineers in Ontario. Senior-tier geotechnical roles in Ottawa are currently pushing past the $130k mark.

    • The “P.Eng” Requirement: While the role is titled “Junior,” the requirement for a P.Eng (Professional Engineer) license suggests you have completed your 48 months of engineering experience and passed the PPE (Professional Practice Examination).

    • Global Growth at Egis: Egis has been aggressively expanding its Canadian footprint. Joining now places you in a “creative” environment that is increasingly using Digital Twins and AI-integrated sensors to monitor ground movement in real-time on major projects like the LRT Stage 3 extensions.

    • Field-Office Balance: In 2026, geotechnical roles are leaning into “Agile Fieldwork”—using tablets for real-time data entry directly into cloud-based software like OpenGround, reducing the time between drilling and analysis.

    Total Rewards & Professional Benefits

    • P.Eng Support: Egis often covers the annual professional dues for PEO (Professional Engineers Ontario).

    • Referral Bonus: This role is eligible for a bonus if you were referred by a current Egis employee.

    • Global Reach: As a global firm with over 1,000 engineers, there are often opportunities for international “exchange” projects or secondments to offices in Europe or Australasia.

    • Inclusive Tech: Egis utilizes AI in their recruitment process but maintains a “People-First” policy, ensuring that technical assessments are balanced with human interviews focused on cultural fit.

    Essential Qualifications & Technical Fit

    • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Geotechnical, Civil, or Geological Engineering.

    • Software Mastery: Proficiency in GeoStudio is vital. If you have experience with AASHTOWare for pavement design, you will be a high-priority candidate for transportation-heavy projects.

    • Communication: You must be able to explain to a non-engineer why a specific soil type requires a $1M foundation adjustment.

    • Travel: A “Willingness to travel” is listed; in the Ottawa context, this often means regional travel to Eastern Ontario or Western Quebec (Gatineau) site locations.

    Application Insider Tips

    • Focus on “Leda Clay”: If you have experience dealing with Ottawa’s sensitive clays or the local bedrock (Limestone/Shale), highlight this specific regional expertise.

    • Pavement Design Projects: Mention any specific involvement in MTO (Ministry of Transportation Ontario) or City of Ottawa pavement evaluation projects.

    • Highlight P.Eng Status: Since they are looking for a Junior but requiring a P.Eng, make sure your registration number is clearly visible on your resume.

To apply for this job please visit jobs.egis-group.com.