Home / Missions / Engineering and Construction / National Engineers Week / Geotechnical Engineers

At the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the engineering workforce is intentionally broad because the mission set spans civil works, military construction, emergency response, and environmental stewardship. Below is an overview of the primary engineering disciplines you will find across districts, centers, and labs within USACE.

Taken together, USACE engineers form a multidisciplinary team that supports national security, infrastructure, military readiness, public safety, and environmental protection at a scale few organizations match.

Geotechnical EngineersUSACE conducts critical safety inspection of B. Everett Jordan Dam outlet conduit

 

USACE role

 

Geotechnical engineers ensure foundations, embankments, and slopes remain stable for installations, runways, levees, and protective works. They support airfield pavement systems, earthworks, and dam and levee safety. 

Geotechnical engineers evaluate soil and rock behavior to support foundation design, slope stability, seepage control, and seismic performance. Field investigations, instrumentation, and long-term monitoring are common parts of the job.

 

In civilian organizations

Geotechnical engineers support building foundations, retaining walls, tunnels, slopes, and earthworks for private development and infrastructure projects. Many work for specialty geotechnical firms or construction companies, providing subsurface analysis and construction support.

Pittsburgh geologist supports rapid response task force to assess landslides after Hurricane Helene

How this supports the warfighter

Stable runways, roads, and protective berms ensure aircraft and vehicles can operate without restriction. Preventing catastrophic failures protects lives, equipment, and mission timelines.