Engineering Technician IV – Materials Testing

Houston, Texas | Regular, Full Time

About the Position:

As a Engineering Technician IV, you play a vital role in safeguarding our clients’ most significant investments while collaborating with industry partners to address construction-related challenges. Your responsibilities include conducting essential materials testing, observations, and inspections on projects that shape and enhance our communities. These projects range from industrial projects—such as Oil & Gas, LNG, and pipelines —to transportation infrastructures—such as roadways, bridges, and airports—to large-scale commercial developments, renewable energy projects like wind and solar farms, healthcare facilities, K-12 schools, and universities, and more.

Utilizing CMT Construction Material Testing’s innovative technology, you will deliver high-quality, real-time documentation of results and observations, keeping clients and industry partners informed. This streamlined reporting helps quickly identify and address deviations, ultimately saving time and costs. Your work may involve field and laboratory testing of soils, concrete, and asphalt, as well as field inspections of foundations, reinforcing steel, masonry, and structural steel—ensuring compliance with project specifications while enhancing safety and durability.

General Responsibilities:

Perform field and/or laboratory testing, observation, and inspection of construction materials (e.g. soils, aggregates, concrete, asphalt, and steel). Communicate with project manager, engineering technicians, client representative, contractor’s representative and others as applicable regarding the construction site, project requirements, and testing, observation, and inspection requirements and results. Transport material samples with associated identifying documentation to the laboratory for further testing and analysis. Tabulate, prepare, and submit data and observation in the form of written and digital reports as work is performed for daily transmittal to the CMT Project Manager. Maintain and clean equipment, vehicles and work areas. May assist with scheduling and dispatch of Technicians to project sites. Adhere to strict safety standards.

Essential Roles and Responsibilities:

• Testing & Inspection: Conduct testing, observation, and inspection tasks as assigned, following training and established procedures.
• Documentation & Reporting: Accurately document findings and results in a clear and organized manner.
• Data Verification: Perform basic data analysis to ensure accuracy before communicating and submitting results to the Project Manager.
• Communication & Coordination: Relay relevant information to the Project Manager and other personnel as directed.
• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrate experience and competency in multiple areas of field testing, inspection, and/or laboratory testing.
• Training & Leadership:
  • Assist in training lower-level technicians.
  • Lead the activities of other engineering technicians in the laboratory or on larger field projects as needed.
• Client Interaction & Project Support:
  • Engage with clients and site personnel on behalf of the Project Manager, when directed.
  • Assist in developing scopes for testing and inspection services.
• Equipment Maintenance: Ensure proper maintenance and calibration of assigned equipment.
• Advanced Fieldwork & Project Management Assistance:
  • Performs advanced fieldwork and provide support for project management.
  • Plan, schedule, and dispatch technicians based on skill set, certifications, location, project priority, and client needs.
  • Coordinate pre-dispatch activities with Project, Department, and/or Office Managers.
  • Track project progress, including contractor site data and status, within the company’s Smart Laboratory Unified Management Portal (SLUMP) software
  • Communicate with clients to ensure alignment on project timelines, expectations, and status updates.
• Safety Compliance: Adhere to all safety protocols, perform pre-task planning before work execution, and promptly report any safety concerns to management.
• Quality Assurance: Maintain high-quality standards on all assigned projects.

Requirements:

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience: Minimum 3-5 years of relevant experience or equivalent training and related experience.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, tablets, and laptop computers for data entry and reporting use.
• Certifications:
  • ACI certification in one or more of the following:
  • Concrete Field-Testing Technician Grade I
  • Concrete Strength Testing Technician
  • Radiation safety certification and Nuclear Density Gauge operation certification.
  • American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), or
  • Structural Steel and/or nondestructive testing services: ASNT Level II
  • Relevant certification for the services or project requirements (e.g. Registered Roofing Observer (RRO))
• Safety Training: Successful completion of internal safety certifications.
• Licensing: Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

Preferred Certification:

• NICET Level II Certification in Construction Materials Testing in one or more of the following categories:
  • Asphalt
  • Concrete
  • Soils
• NICET Level II Certification in Geotechnical Engineering in one or more of the following categories:
  • Construction
  • Laboratory
  • Exploration
  • Generalist
• ICC Certification in one or more of the following areas:
  • Reinforced Concrete
  • Spray-Applied Fireproofing
  • Structural Masonry
  • Prestressed/Post-Tensioned Concrete
  • Structural Steel – Bolting
  • Structural Steel – Welding
• American Welding Society (AWS) Certification as a Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI).
• American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) Level II certification in more than one of the following areas:
  • Visual Testing (VT),
  • Magnetic Particle Testing (MT),
  • Dye Penetrant Testing (PT),
  • Radiographic Testing (RT),
  • Ultrasonic Testing (UT).
• Other national, regional, state, and local Materials related certifications requiring experience and written examination will also be considered if deemed appropriate by the Thompson Department Manager.