Senior Geotechnical Technologist
Senior field and materials-testing technologist in our Geotechnical practice
LOCATION: Vancouver, Surrey or Kelowna, BC
REPORTS TO: Geotechnical Practice Lead
Full-time · Senior
About the opportunity
PRI is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Technologist to join our Geotechnical practice, the largest and one of the most established practices in the firm. This is a senior, hands-on technical role for an experienced technologist who runs field programs, oversees materials testing, and serves as a go-to technical resource for the geotechnical team. It is a role for someone who works independently, takes ownership of the quality of field and lab data, and helps develop the technologists coming up behind them.
The work spans both the field and the lab. In the field, you will supervise and log drilling and test pitting, carry out sampling and in-situ testing, run site investigations, and perform geotechnical and materials field reviews during construction. In the lab, you will conduct and oversee soil, aggregate, and construction materials testing in support of the firm's projects, drawing on PRI's materials-testing laboratories. Across both, you are responsible for accurate, defensible data that the firm's geotechnical engineers rely on to make sound engineering decisions.
The position reports to the Geotechnical Practice Lead and works closely with geotechnical engineers, other technologists, drillers, and field staff. It involves a mix of field, lab, and office work, with travel to project sites and seasonal field programs across the region.
What you'll do
Field investigation and site work
- Supervise and log drilling, test pitting, and geotechnical field investigations, directing drillers and field crews on site.
- Carry out soil and rock sampling, in-situ testing, and field classification to professional standards.
- Plan and run site investigation programs, coordinating logistics, subcontractors, and access.
- Install and monitor geotechnical instrumentation, such as piezometers, inclinometers, and settlement monitoring.
- Perform geotechnical and materials field reviews during construction, including subgrade, fill placement, and compaction testing.
Materials and laboratory testing
- Conduct and oversee soil, aggregate, and construction materials testing in the lab and in the field.
- Carry out density and compaction testing, gradations, moisture content, Atterberg limits, Proctors, and related geotechnical and materials tests.
- Maintain testing quality and adherence to applicable standards and certification requirements.
- Support the operation and quality of PRI's materials-testing laboratories, including equipment calibration and record keeping.
Data, reporting, and quality
- Produce accurate, complete, and defensible field logs, test records, and data summaries.
- Prepare draft factual reporting, borehole logs, and test result summaries for review by geotechnical engineers.
- Take ownership of data quality, catching and correcting errors before results are relied upon.
- Follow and help maintain the practice's field and lab procedures, standards, and health and safety protocols.
Leadership and coordination
- Mentor and develop junior and intermediate technologists in field and lab work.
- Serve as a senior technical resource the geotechnical team relies on for field and materials expertise.
- Coordinate with geotechnical engineers and project managers on program scope, schedule, and deliverables.
- Help plan and resource field programs across projects and offices.
- Contribute to a strong field-safety culture and lead by example on site.
Who we're looking for
We are looking for a seasoned geotechnical technologist who is genuinely strong in both field and materials work, works independently, and takes real pride in the accuracy of the data they produce. Experience running field programs and mentoring others is what sets a senior technologist apart.
Required
- Diploma in Civil Engineering Technology, Geological Technology, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- Approximately 7 to 12 years of geotechnical and materials-testing experience, including substantial field and laboratory work.
- Deep, hands-on competence in geotechnical field investigation, drilling supervision, logging, sampling, and in-situ testing.
- Strong materials-testing skills across soil, aggregate, and construction materials, and familiarity with the applicable test standards.
- Proven ability to run field programs independently and take ownership of data quality with minimal supervision.
- Strong organization, attention to detail, and record-keeping discipline.
- A strong field-safety attitude, a valid driver's licence, and willingness to travel and work outdoors in variable field conditions.
- Good written and verbal communication skills for clear factual reporting and coordination.
Preferred
- A.Sc.T. or C.Tech. designation (or eligibility) through a provincial technology association such as ASTTBC, ASET, or OACETT.
- Materials-testing certifications relevant to the work (such as CCIL or equivalent).
- Experience mentoring or supervising junior technologists and field crews.
- Experience with geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring.
- Experience across several project types, including infrastructure, transportation, buildings, and resource or energy work.
- Familiarity with digital field data collection and geotechnical logging software.
Why PRI
At PRI, we believe exceptional consulting begins with exceptional people. We invest in our technical staff with meaningful work, strong support, and the tools to do their best.
As a Senior Geotechnical Technologist, you'll find:
- A senior, respected role on the firm's largest practice, backed by in-house materials-testing laboratories.
- Varied field and lab work across project types, clients, and sectors.
- Genuine influence, mentoring the next generation of technologists and shaping how field and lab work is done.
- A collaborative, multidisciplinary environment working alongside geotechnical engineers and other disciplines.
- A firm that is actively investing in modern tools and technology, including digital field data collection and AI-enabled approaches.
- Competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and genuine support for ongoing professional development and technologist designation.
PRI is a multidisciplinary engineering and natural sciences consulting firm with offices across British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. We are an equal-opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, and we particularly encourage applications from Indigenous professionals.
