Early Career Geomechanical Engineer

Company Description

RESPEC is seeking a motivated, talented professional for an entry-level geomechanical engineer position in our Geomechanics group located at our Rapid City, South Dakota, office.

Founded in 1969, RESPEC is a global, 100 percent employee-owned consulting and services company dedicated to delivering innovative solutions to complex challenges for private and public clients. Operating in 14 U.S. states and 2 Canadian provinces, with influence extending to 50 countries worldwide, RESPEC is a leader in water, mining, energy, natural resources, and infrastructure services. Our six market sectors—Mining & Energy, Water, Facilities, Transportation, Development Services, and Data & Technology—reflect our expertise and commitment to excellence. At RESPEC, we thrive on collaboration and partnership, applying advanced technology to achieve sustainable solutions and drive our projects forward. We are deeply invested in our employees’ success and well-being, fostering a supportive and innovative work environment where everyone can grow and contribute meaningfully. Our commitment to excellence is evident in our contributions to local communities and strategic alliances worldwide, ensuring that we continue to inspire and innovate in rapidly evolving technical environments.

Job Description

RESPEC is seeking a motivated, talented professional for an entry-level geomechanical engineer position in our Geomechanics group located at our Rapid City, South Dakota, office.

The primary focus of this position will be performing geomechanical evaluations of solution-mined caverns in subsurface salt deposits.  Projects include structural, hydrogeological, and thermal analyses of underground excavations, analysis of lab or field measurement data, ground subsidence analyses, and other conventional geotechnical analyses.

The geomechanical engineer will also produce professional, high-quality, technical documents as deliverable work products to our clients. The breadth and complexity of our projects require using computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools and high-performance computing (HPC) systems for extensive numerical simulations. Successfully completing project work will require strong technical aptitude, well-developed interpersonal communication skills, familiarity with modern engineering software programs, and the willingness to seek guidance when appropriate.

The successful candidate will work under the direct supervision of an experienced geomechanical engineering staff in these areas.

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters.

Qualifications

Candidates must have the following:

• A bachelor of science or master of science degree in mechanical, civil, geological/geotechnical, or mining engineering from an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) institution
• 0-5 years of engineering work experience
• Base-level knowledge in finite element analysis, numerical modeling, and solid mechanics.
• Working knowledge in modern software programs for professional office activities (e.g., Microsoft Office suite and spreadsheet calculations)

Additional preferred qualifications include the following:

• Experience in well log interpretation
• Knowledge of mechanical behavior of geological materials
• Experience in materials testing and constitutive model development
• Experience in computer programming with C/C , FORTRAN, Python, or another language
• Base-level knowledge of CAE software programs for engineering applications
• Numerical modeling with Abaqus, Ansys, or FLAC3D
• Excellent interpersonal skills and technical communication skills (both written and oral) and fluent in English.

Additional Information

Compensation: Salary depends on experience and expertise. Compensation includes a comprehensive fringe-benefits package. RESPEC is a 100% employee-owned company and employees are eligible for participation in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) after a qualifying period.

Featured benefits include:

•           Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans

•           Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave

•           Holidays & Paid Time Off

•           401(k) & ESOP with company match up to 4%

•           Professional Development & Training

•           Tuition Reimbursement

•           Employee Assistance & Wellness Programs

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.