Kiera Hughes, EIT

Geotechnical EIT @ HDR

About

I am currently working for HDR as a Geotechnical EIT, supporting projects within both the Transportation Business Group and the Dams, Levees and Civil Works Business Class. My skills are attributed to design work, as well as field assignment opportunities. I have experience designing deep foundations for bridges, slope stability and settlement modeling, performing in-situ testing and conducting/logging subsurface investigations. Having graduated with a Master of Science in Civil Engineering in 2025, I successfully defended a thesis on Investigating the Influence of Volumetric Water Content in the Upper Layer of Soil on Embankment Factor of Safety. The purpose of this research was to help advance the development of satellite-based monitoring processes that integrates satellite data with other data sources to detect changes in conditions and precursors to geohazard events in the railway ROW. As a former Division I collegiate student-athlete for the Gamecocks Track and Field Team, I have developed critical time management and communication skills that I apply in both academic and professional settings. These skills have been further developed through my current position as the HDR Columbia, SC office Young Professional Employee Network Group Chair, and previous position as office Safety Coordinator. In addition, I hold a board position for the ASCE Midlands Branch, as the Branch President.

Country

United States

City

Columbia

Industry

Civil Engineering

Skill

Microsoft Office, Attention to Detail, Research, Communication, Power Tools, AutoCAD, American Sign Language, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Teamwork

Experience

Geotechnical EIT

HDR

2022-5 - Present · 4 yrs 5 mos

Columbia, South Carolina Metropolitan Area

• Models slope stability and settlement of bridge and roadway embankments using SlopeW and Settle3D software • Conducts foundation analyses using APILE, LPILE, SHAFT and GRLWEAP software • Oversees subsurface field investigations to obtain and log soil and rock samples, as well as conducting packer tests and overseeing grouting programs • Contributes to a variety of bridge and roadway subsurface report deliverables • Holds chair position in the Columbia office's Young Professional Employee Network Group, as well as previously serving as Office Safety Coordinator

Geotechnical Engineering Intern

HDR

2021-11 - 2022-5 · 7 mos

Columbia, South Carolina, United States

Undergraduate Research Assistant

University of South Carolina

2020-10 - 2022-5 · 1 yr 8 mos

Columbia, South Carolina, United States

The team is working to find a nondestructive way to determine the critical rail temperature of rails. • Operated equipment and power tools, such as forklift, cranes and jackhammer, to prepare the laboratory railway track for testing • Utilized LVDT and DIC systems to collect data from the rail during the experiment

Civil Engineering Intern

JPCE Consulting Engineers

2021-5 - 2021-8 · 4 mos

Medford, New York, United States

• Assisted in the writing of technical reports as well as comment responses. • Oversaw pile installations at various site locations across Long Island. • Utilized REVIT to design air duct placement.

Lifeguard

Smith Point

2020-6 - 2021-8 · 1 yr 3 mos

Hampton Bays, New York, United States

• Served as a vigilant and physically capable lifeguard at beaches for Smith Point • Supervised hundreds of swimmers and enforced safety regulations and guidelines • Oversaw 2+ fellow lifeguards in daily duties and workouts as Tower Captain • CPR Certification