Geotechnical Soils and Foundations Engineer - 55010180

Requisition No: 869189 

Agency: Department of Transportation

Working Title: Geotechnical Soils and Foundations Engineer - 55010180

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 55010180 

Salary:  $92,063.80 - $119,141.36 

Posting Closing Date: 03/22/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

JOB POSTING DESCRIPTION

820 / STATE MATERIALS OFFICE

OPEN COMPETITIVE

CAREER SERVICE

FULL-TIME

CONTACT PERSON: Sasidhar Ayithi

CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: (352) 955-2924

CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS: sasidhar.ayithi@dot.state.fl.us

HIRING SALARY RANGE: $3,540.92 - $4,582.36 / biweekly range

         $92,063.80 - $119,141.39 / annual range

Join FDOT and be part of the team that works as one to improve safety, enhance mobility and inspire innovation in the Florida transportation system.

To ensure honesty and transparency, all applicants must provide their own work. Unless explicitly requested, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to assist with qualifying questions, work samples, or interviews is strictly prohibited, and any breach of this requirement will lead to the applicant being removed from consideration.

Candidates must be United States (U.S.) citizens or lawfully authorized alien workers.  Visa sponsorship is not available.

Our Mission

The mission of the Florida Department of Transportation is to provide a safe statewide transportation system that promotes the efficient movement of people and goods, supports the state’s economic competitiveness, prioritizes Florida’s environment and natural resources, and preserves the quality of life and connectedness of the state’s communities.

Our Vision

As a OneFDOT team, we serve the people of Florida by providing a transportation network that is well planned, supports economic growth, and has the goal of being congestion and fatality free.

The Work You Will Do:

Geotechnical Soils and Foundations Engineer / State Highway Engineer / Office of Materials / Geotechnical Materials / Research and Soils & Foundations Laboratory

This position is responsible for evaluating geotechnical materials in the laboratory and field, developing specifications and policies, and conducting geotechnical research. The selected candidate will manage department contracts and collaborate with other geotechnical stakeholders across the state. 

The Difference You Will Make:

Through cooperation, coordination and collaboration among the OneFDOT team, you will be contributing to a strong and empowering culture of TRREC: Trust, Relationships, Respect, Empowerment, and Communication. 

How You Will Grow:

FDOT encourages our team members to grow through engagement, empowerment, training, and professional development.  Through our agency’s learning management system, you have access to hundreds of computer-based training and instructor-led courses. 

Where You Will Work:

State Materials Office, 5007 NE 39th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32609

Annual Salary Range:

$92,063.80 - $119,141.39 

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Develop, revise, and maintain Department policies, procedures, specifications, manuals, and test methods. Coordinate the activities with representatives from other offices to ensure a consistent and uniform direction to the soils and foundations laboratory program and geotechnical engineering program. Draft and submit documents. Address comments and concerns. Complete development and revision assignments on time. Prepare and sign/seal related engineering documents and specifications as required.

Evaluate geotechnical materials and earthwork projects/processes, both in the office and in the field, to determine current performance status. Recommend improvements to optimize delivery or improve results. Notify stakeholders of any changes to the project/process. Prepare technical reports and presentations documenting results, conclusions, and recommendations.

Participate in both in-house and contracted geotechnical materials research program. Evaluate submitted research proposals. Act as the research contract project manager or technical review committee member as required to the assigned research contracts. Effectively and thoroughly review and approve/reject deliverables timely. Manage the research project schedule and funding to ensure the project is completed in accordance with contract documents. Facilitate the implementation of research findings.

Review applications from manufacturers and suppliers requesting evaluation of geosynthetic products for drainage and structural reinforcement to determine eligibility for inclusion on the Department’s Approved Product List (APL). Approve or reject products based on compliance with specifications and performance criteria. Inspect and evaluate geosynthetic samples from ongoing construction projects to verify that the correct materials are used for their intended applications. Provide technical feedback and assistance to field personnel as needed.

Act as the Department’s technical liaison with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Industry, trade associations, governing entities, and others with regards to geotechnical materials. Act as the technical representative for discussions regarding development and revision of specifications, procedures, and any other geotechnical materials related issues. Facilitate and participate in committee meetings, statewide partnering meetings and task teams. Facilitate the implementation of new initiatives.

Provide technical support and expertise to effectively address geotechnical related issues and challenges.  Ensure customers have the necessary assistance in support of geotechnical materials-related operations. Provide support in time to meet the customers’ needs. Provide clear comments as requested in time to be useful to the customer. Offer solutions when objecting to the approach that is proposed.

The Successful Candidate will have the following required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Concepts, terminology, principles and analytical techniques of geotechnical laboratory and field testing used on roadway earthwork and subsurface investigations.
• Engineering design, construction, production and/or operations.

Skills in:

• Operating a personal computer for word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

Ability to:

• Analyze and interpret engineering data.
• Solve problems relating to engineering.
• Plan, design, evaluate, and investigate engineering works and systems.
• Monitor and inspect engineering projects.
• Plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Communicate engineering information effectively.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Work effectively in a team environment.
• Use engineering tools, equipment and/or instruments

Licensure/Registration/Certification Requirements:

• Registration as a Professional Engineer in accordance with Chapter 471, Florida Statutes, or able to obtain registration by endorsement as a Professional Engineer in the State of Florida under Chapter 471, Florida Statutes, within one year from your appointment date.

Other Job-Related Requirements:

• Travel is required.
• This position will be required to respond before, during and following emergency situations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Prior experience using engineering tools, equipment, and instruments in roadway and bridge construction and/or materials.
• Prior experience operating a personal computer for word processing, spreadsheet, and/or database applications.
• Prior experience with evaluating geotechnical materials.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications. Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the Career Service, or appointment in the Selected Exempt Service (SES) or Senior Management Service (SMS), unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION VALUES THE SERVICE VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE GIVEN TO OUR COUNTRY AND SUPPORTS THE HIRING OF RETURNING SERVICE MEMBERS AND MILITARY SPOUSES.  If you are a preference-eligible applicant who receives notice of a hiring decision and believe that you were not afforded employment preference in accordance with applicable Florida law and regulation, you may file a written complaint within 60 calendar days from the date you receive the notice, requesting an investigation to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Division of Benefits and Assistance, 9500 Bay Pines Boulevard, Room 214, St. Petersburg, Florida 33708.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION VALUES AND SUPPORTS EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.  QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.  In accordance with Section 110.112, Florida Statutes, and the Florida Department of Transportation’s Individuals with Disabilities Affirmative Action Plan, the agency is committed to ensuring affirmative action and equal employment opportunity for qualified individuals with disabilities.  Upon request and as appropriate, reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities may be provided.  Please contact the Florida Department of Transportation’s Human Resources Office at (850) 414-5300 for assistance.  

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.