Pile Driving Analyzer (PDA) Engineer

Universal Engineering Sciences - Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville, FL

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

Universal Engineering Sciences (UES) has an opening in our Deep Foundations department. UES is a nationwide leader in Geotechnical Engineering, Construction Materials Testing and Inspection, Building Code Compliance, Environmental, Occupational Health & Safety, and Building Envelope. The Pile Driving Analyzer (PDA) Engineer will be working on-site with contractors to collect data during the pile driving process as the foundation elements are being constructed on large FDOT bridges. The ideal candidate is a reliable, trustworthy individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment where collaboration and autonomy are valued.

Responsibilities

• Performs or monitors dynamic load tests or PDA (Pile Driving Analyzer) on concrete or steel piles to evaluate the shaft integrity, driving stresses, and hammer energy in the field.
• Strains transducers and accelerometers are connected to the pilings, and a full array of parameters including capacity, stresses, pile integrity, hammer energy, and stroke height are monitored for every blow during installation.
• Utilizes data to perform various forms of analyses to determine specific soil parameters (such as quake and damping values) with signal matching software and wave equation software to model the hammer/soil interface and create driving criteria for remaining production piles.
• Provides lateral earth pressure design parameters to aid the structural engineer in the design of retaining earth structures.
• Ensures that all work is completed in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Attends project meetings with clients to guarantee project specifications are being met.
• Completes daily time and labor reports in accordance with company policy.
• Turns in required paperwork daily.
• Regular attendance is required.
• Must be flexible to changing schedules and hours to support business needs. Overnight and weekend schedules may be necessary to support business needs.
• Follows all company safety procedures and policies.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

• Valid Florida Driver's License with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to pass a background check screening in accordance with Florida's Jessica Lunsford Act (or equivalent state classification).
• Bachelor's degree (B.S.) in civil, geotechnical, mechanical, geology, or similar, from a four-year college or university; one to two years of experience and/or training.
• Proficiency in using programs such as AutoCAD, Slope/W, Seep/W, Allpile WEAP, and Finite Element Method in Geo-Structure.
• Ability to read & write, including interpreting documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Mathematical skills sufficient to add, subtract, multiply, and divide into all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Reasoning ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, and diagram form.

Nice-to-haves

• Engineering Intern (E.I.) certification.
• Master's degree in civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, or similar.
• American Concrete Institute (ACI) certifications.
• FDOT CTQP Certifications.