Geotechnical Engineer, Data Center Design

Fluidstack

$200K — $250K *
Real Estate & Construction
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in geotechnical engineering, particularly in large-scale site development.
  • Proven ability to scope and manage subsurface investigation programs.
  • Expertise in interpreting subsurface data into foundation design parameters.
  • Strong experience with challenging geotechnical conditions such as high groundwater and expansive clays.
  • Demonstrated success in directing external geotechnical consultants and preventing design errors.
  • Exceptional collaboration skills with structural, civil, and environmental engineering teams.
  • Bonus: PE/GE license, experience in data center or heavy-civil projects, and seismic site response knowledge.

Responsibilities

  • Lead geotechnical workstream for a multi-site development portfolio from screening to construction support.
  • Scope and direct subsurface investigation programs and manage external consultants.
  • Interpret subsurface data to inform foundation system choices and collaborate with structural engineering.
  • Set the earthwork and grading strategy in coordination with civil engineering.
  • Conduct geotechnical fatal-flaw screening during site selection to identify potential issues.
  • Coordinate with environmental teams on contamination and groundwater issues affecting site decisions.
  • Manage geotechnical deliverables to ensure timely project execution.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to lead major-scale data center development projects.
  • Engage in cutting-edge technology, including liquid cooling and modular designs.
  • Collaborative work environment with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
  • Possibility of growing with a high-impact team focused on innovative solutions.
Full Job Description
Geotechnical Engineer, Data Center Design

The Data Center Design Team

Examples of key problems the team is working on
  • Lead the design, development, and execution of 50GW+ of data centers this decade.
  • Drive the next generation of liquid cooling and electrical distribution systems.
  • Develop and scale first-of-a-kind modular data centers.
  • Influence behind-the-meter designs and planning for multi-GW campuses.


Role Scope
  • Own the geotechnical workstream across a multi-site, multi-state development portfolio, from early site screening through foundation design and construction support.
  • Scope and direct subsurface investigation programs: write geotechnical RFPs, manage boring and CPT campaigns and lab testing, and drive external geotechnical consultants from scope through final report.
  • Interpret subsurface data into design parameters and assign foundation systems, working directly with Structural on bearing capacity, settlement, expansive and collapsible soils, liquefaction, seismic site class, shallow versus deep foundations, and ground improvement (rigid inclusions, piles, surcharge or preload).
  • Set site earthwork and grading strategy with Civil: cut and fill balance, deep-fill and differential-settlement risk to pads, MV duct banks, substations, and roads, and the call between regrade, preload, and ground improvement.
  • Run geotechnical fatal-flaw screening during site selection and due diligence, catching karst, mine subsidence, abandoned oil and gas wells, uncontrolled fill, high groundwater, and expansive clay before they reach signing or schedule.
  • Coordinate with Environmental on groundwater, contamination, and Phase II findings that drive subsurface and foundation decisions, and manage geotechnical deliverables to protect IFC and construction dates.
What We're Looking For

The below is a starting point. We always make space for exceptional people, so if you don't fit this role exactly, tell us where you would.
  • You've owned geotechnical engineering on large-scale site development, scoping boring programs and turning subsurface data into foundation design parameters.
  • You've made the foundation and ground-improvement call on difficult sites: deep fill, expansive clay, high groundwater, liquefaction, choosing among shallow foundations, piles, rigid inclusions, and surcharge.
  • You've directed external geotechnical consultants and labs from RFP through final report, and caught errors before they reached design or construction.
  • You've screened sites for geotechnical fatal flaws during due diligence and either killed or saved a site on the data.
  • You read a geotechnical report well enough to assign design actions and challenge a consultant's recommendations rather than rubber-stamp them.
  • You work shoulder to shoulder with structural, civil, and environmental engineers and translate subsurface conditions into grading, drainage, and foundation decisions without stalling the schedule.
  • Bonus: PE or GE license, or active pursuit. Data center, industrial, or heavy-civil site development. Deep foundation and ground-improvement design. Seismic site response. Multi-state experience.


Compensation: $200,000 - $250,000 per year, depending on experience, skills, qualifications, and location. Offers equity in the form of stock options.

We are committed to pay equity and transparency.

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