Geotechnical Specialist

At Arup, our innovative spirit drives us to express our ingenuity in unique ways through engineering, planning, design and consulting on many of the most recognized projects in the built environment. Our mission is to deliver technical excellence, innovation, and value to our clients by bringing together broad-minded individuals from a wide range of disciplines. We invest in research and create better solutions for clients worldwide.

Joining Arup

Arup offers a collaborative environment where professionals contribute to complex and meaningful projects while developing through continuous learning, mentorship, and multidisciplinary teamwork. By joining Arup, you will work with local and international specialists on infrastructure projects that combine technical excellence, sustainable development and digital innovation.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a motivated Geotechnical Specialist to join Arup’s Civil team in Bogotá.

The role will support the assessment, analysis, and coordination of geotechnical aspects of roads, highways, urban infrastructure, and other major civil engineering projects. The successful candidate will work with multidisciplinary teams and contribute to the interpretation of ground conditions, development of geotechnical recommendations, review of technical information and coordination of geotechnical interfaces throughout project development and construction.

The position requires sound technical foundations, analytical capability, clear communication, and an interest in developing practical and sustainable solutions for complex ground and infrastructure challenges.

Responsibilities

• Compile, review and interpret geological, geotechnical, hydrogeological and seismic information for civil and transportation infrastructure projects.
• Support the planning and coordination of geotechnical investigations, including field activities, laboratory testing programmes and review of investigation results.
• Develop ground models and contribute to the assessment of subsurface conditions, geotechnical hazards, and their implications for design and construction.
• Undertake or support geotechnical analyses for slopes, earthworks, foundations, retaining structures, excavations, and ground improvement under the supervision of senior specialists.
• Prepare technical notes, calculation packages, reports, specifications, and other geotechnical documentation in accordance with project requirements and quality procedures.
• Coordinate geotechnical inputs and interfaces with roads, drainage, structures, tunnels, utilities, environmental and construction teams.
• Support the review of geotechnical deliverables, technical queries and construction-stage information, identifying matters that require clarification or escalation.
• Participate in site visits and observe geotechnical investigations and construction activities, documenting relevant conditions and observations.
• Use geotechnical analysis, data management, and digital tools to support efficient and traceable project delivery.
• Contribute to project planning, risk identification, quality management, and the timely completion of assigned activities.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, clients, contractors, and other project stakeholders.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing, technical development and business development activities within the Civil and Geotechnical teams.

Is this role right for you?

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering or a closely related discipline, with academic or professional focus in geotechnical engineering. A relevant postgraduate qualification is desirable.
• Relevant professional experience in geotechnical engineering for roads, highways, urban infrastructure, buildings, or other civil engineering projects.
• Experience interpreting geotechnical investigation of information, soil and rock properties, groundwater conditions and laboratory test results.
• Knowledge of soil mechanics, rock mechanics, slope stability, earthworks, foundations, retaining structures and related geotechnical engineering principles.
• Experience preparing geotechnical calculations, technical reports, drawings, specifications, or design recommendations.
• Familiarity with Colombian geotechnical practice, applicable technical standards and infrastructure project requirements.
• Experience with geotechnical analysis software such as GeoStudio/SLOPE/W, Slide, PLAXIS, MIDAS GTS NX, FLAC or similar tools is desirable.
• Experience with geological modelling, GIS, data management, or digital engineering tools is desirable.
• Experience supporting field investigations or construction-stage geotechnical activities is desirable.
• Strong analytical, planning, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work ef