Geological Engineers
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Job description
These individuals conduct geological and geotechnical studies to evaluate the location of civil engineering, mining, and oil and gas projects. They plan, design, test, and supervise geological data collection and analysis programs. They also prepare geological engineering reports and recommendations. They are employed by:
- Consulting engineering firms
- Electric utilities
- Mining and oil companies
- The public service
- Research institutes
- Educational institutions
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
- Climatic conditions
Main tasks
- Make various recommendations (building settlement, slope stability, landslide effects, etc.).
- Study groundwater flow and contamination.
- Develop criteria for site selection, treatment, and construction.
- Conduct studies for the mining industry (exploration, evaluation, feasibility).
- Analyze ore deposits and reserves and mine design.
- Design, develop, and test computer applications for various fields (Geophysics, Geochemistry, Geology, etc.).
- Supervise technologists, technicians, and other Engineers and Scientists.
- Analyze and write lithodemic and lithostratigraphic data.
- Promote the mineral potential for certain substances or regions to the industry and the scientific community concerned.
- Carry out geological surveys in the field by traversing the territory according to pre-established routes.
Advancement and mobility
- There is significant mobility between engineering specializations and lower positions.
- Experience leads to senior or supervisory positions.
- Some mobility exists between these specializations and other Engineers and Scientists (e.g. Geologists).
- These individuals may work in related fields (Science, Engineering, Sales, Marketing, Management, etc.).
Hourly wage
Not available.Job prospects for 2024-2028
Job prospects for 2024-2028
Job prospects
All of Québec
All of Québec
Total jobs for 2023
All of Québec
All of Québec
Gender distribution
All of Québec
- 24.6% Female
- 75.4% Male
- 24.6% Female
- 75.4% Male
Job types
All of Québec
- Full time
- Part time
- Full time
- Part time
Yearly wage on 2020
All of Québec
All of Québec
Other characteristics
All of Québec
- Non traditional for women
- None
All of Québec
- Non traditional for women
- None
Sectors of activity
All of Québec
-
NAICS 5413, 541460% of jobs
-
NAICS 2115% of jobs
-
NAICS 9110% of jobs
-
NAICS 5416, 54174% of jobs
-
NAICS 224% of jobs
-
Others7% of jobs
All of Québec
-
NAICS 5413, 541460% of jobs
-
NAICS 2115% of jobs
-
NAICS 9110% of jobs
-
NAICS 5416, 54174% of jobs
-
NAICS 224% of jobs
-
Others7% of jobs
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
University
Earth science
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 58.3%
41.7% of graduates pursue further studies
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 100%
Geological engineering
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 58.1%
41.9% of graduates pursue further studies
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 60%
30% of graduates pursue further studies
Geology or mineralogy
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 53.3%
46.7% of graduates pursue further studies
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 100%
Also required
- Membership in the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ [Quebec Order of Engineers]) to work as an Engineer and carry out reserved activities.
Sometimes required
- A Master’s or Doctoral degree in a related engineering discipline may be required.
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Data collection
- Information processing
- Solving complex problems
- Reading comprehension
- Critical thought
- Written expression
- Oral expression
- Judgment and decision-making
- Active listening
- System analysis
- Result evaluation
- Systems evaluation
- Mathematics
- Active learning
- Coordination
- Science
- Time management
- Operation analysis
- Teaching
- Learning strategies
- Human resource management
- Material resource management
- Monitoring operations
Abilities
- Awareness of issues
- Classification
- Written comprehension
- Oral comprehension
- Deductive reasoning
- Written expression
- Verbal skills
- Inductive reasoning
- Information organization
- Speech clarity
- Mathematical reasoning
- Speech recognition
- Idea generation
- Near vision
- Processing flexibility
- Originality
- Selective attention
- Basic numeracy
- Visualization
- Distance vision
- Perception speed
- Information processing speed
Knowledge and attributes
- Critical thinking
- Focussed on results
- Sense of responsibility
- Capacity to influence and mobilize
- Capacity to work in a team
- Respect standards and regulations
- Creativity
- Capacity for synthesis
- Knowledge of engineering and technology
- Knowledge of design
Interests
- Direct, organize, and manage
- Draft, communicate, and inform
- Work with numbers
- Create, design
- Carry out research
- Develop and exploit natural resources
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Investigative
- People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Enterprising
- People with this profile prefer having responsibilities, influencing others and responding to challenges.
Official name of the NOC 21331
Geological engineers
Job titles
- Geological engineer
- Geophysical engineer
- Geotechnical engineer
- Supervising engineer - petrography
- Hydrogeological engineer
Skill type
Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
Last update: January 29, 2026