E34: Geotechnical Project Expert Sebastian Lobo-Guerrero Reveals Local Conditions Are Key

When Michael T. spoke with Dr. Sebastian Lobo-Guerrero on The Ground Investigation Podcast, he didn’t expect such a powerful combination of humility, wisdom and raw passion for geotechnical engineering. Over the course of his career, he’s helped shape the future of deep foundations, earth retention, and landslide stabilisation, but also played a quiet, consistent role in shaping the next generation of engineers.

Here’s a breakdown of our conversation and the key takeaways from this episode:

1. Foundations Laid in Childhood

Sebastian grew up surrounded by civil engineers. His father and grandfather were both in the field, and from a young age, he found himself onsite, absorbing the atmosphere of construction. But like many, he didn’t yet understand the specialism of geotechnical engineering.

In fact, he only discovered geotech through a university soil mechanics course, a moment that quite literally changed the direction of his life. Consolidation theory in particular grabbed his attention. That spark of fascination quickly grew into something more: a career built on curiosity, experimentation, and total commitment to learning.

What struck me was his clarity. From the moment he discovered geotech, he never looked back. He threw himself into academia and hands-on experience. He ran the soils lab during his graduate studies, completed a PhD, and has since become a respected voice in both the consulting and academic sides of the profession.

2. Three Projects, Three Lessons

When I asked Sebastian to share some standout projects, he didn’t just offer success stories. He walked me through three different experiences, each offering their own type of value.

The first was a bridge project over the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. This wasn’t just a typical job, it was a defining one. Long before construction began, Sebastian was involved in the investigation, preliminary design, and shaft optimisation. New guidelines from FHWA allowed the team to rethink their approach to shaft design, combining side friction and end bearing. The result? A design that dramatically reduced shaft length while maintaining performance. They proved it with testing, and in doing so, influenced a shift in practice across the state.

The second story was more intellectual: co-authoring the Delaware LRFD Bridge Design Manual. As someone who’d long admired design codes and technical manuals, this was a dream come true. Not only did he help write it, he trained engineers and consultants across Delaware on how to use it. It was personal. It was technical. And it was a genuine moment of professional fulfilment.

But it was the third story that stayed with me most. In 2018, a bridge collapsed during construction in Colombia, killing ten people. Sebastian wasn’t involved in the design, but he was called in to join the forensic investigation. It reconnected him to his home country in a meaningful way, professionally, emotionally, and ethically. He worked alongside Colombia’s top transportation officials, contributed to the inquiry, and forged relationships with universities and engineers across the continent. But it came at a cost. As he put it, the most meaningful moment of his career was also the lowest moment for ten families. It’s a story of tragedy, learning, and the weight of responsibility that comes with this profession.

3. Awards, Recognition, and the Reality Behind Them

When someone receives a Lifetime Achievement Award in their forties, you expect them to slow down. Not Sebastian. He joked that he’s probably the first recipient who isn’t even close to retiring. In fact, he plans to earn a second one.

But for all the accolades- ASCE Fellow, Geo-Institute leadership roles, DFI recognition, what matters most to him is that these honours validate the years of unseen work. He’s never chased recognition. His passion for foundations, landslides, and mentoring young engineers has been consistent since day one. The awards are a bonus. The real reward is the work itself.

He also spoke about his love for the Deep Foundations Institute. For him, DFI represents something bigger than technical leadership, it’s about connecting designers, contractors, academics and suppliers. The whole industry under one roof. And he doesn’t just talk about integration – he’s helping make it happen, chairing national conferences, supporting student chapters, and contributing wherever he can.

4. Teaching, Travelling and Balancing Three Careers

Sebastian doesn’t have a job. He has three. By day, he’s a senior geotechnical project manager at AGES, Inc. He’s also an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh. And he somehow finds time to travel the world, speak at conferences, write papers, contribute to design manuals, and support the next generation of engineers.

It’s not just impressive. It’s intentional.

He told me that teaching brings him joy, because the classroom is still the purest space for learning. There are no clients, no budgets, no deadlines – just students who want to understand how the ground behaves and how we interact with it.

He’s not paid much for it. He doesn’t care. For Sebastian, being in a room full of future engineers is one of the most rewarding parts of his life. And it also gives him an edge. He stays connected to what’s changing, not just in the ground, but in the minds of those entering the industry.

He doesn’t see his roles as competing with one another. They’re interconnected. And the balance is possible only because he loves what he does. That’s the common thread running through it all.

5. The Human Side of Geotechnical Engineering

This was a conversation filled with technical insights, but the emotion behind them was what really stood out.

Sebastian isn’t just here to build infrastructure. He’s here to build connections. Across borders. Across disciplines. Across generations.

Whether it’s encouraging engineers to join professional societies, championing sustainability, or mentoring students from the US to South America, he sees the long game. He believes the biggest threat to the industry isn’t technology or climate, it’s the shortage of passionate people entering the profession.

He’s already doing something about it. Recruiting students directly from his own classes. Giving free lectures around the world. Sharing his work online and encouraging others to do the same.

And when he says he’s just a fan of geotechnical engineering, not a celebrity within it, you realise that’s probably why he’s such an effective ambassador for the field.

Don’t miss Episode 34 of The Ground Investigation Podcast with Dr. Sebastian Lobo-Guerrero. We explore deep foundations, landslide stabilisation, mentoring future engineers, and why passion and hard work still matter in today’s geotechnical world.

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Final thoughts

For Sebastian, the journey has never been about chasing titles or status. It’s about impact. He’s building a life around something he genuinely loves. And in doing so, he’s inspiring the next generation to do the same.

As he told me, “If you find your passion in life, throw everything you have into it.” He certainly has.

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