Engineering Assistant I; Pharr District (Various Sections)

About the role

Performs engineering work involving job rotation, training, and continuing education in design, construction, construction inspection, maintenance, surveying, environmental, and/or transportation operations-related activities with the intent to actively pursue engineering licensing/registration through appropriate training and exams. Design activity is supervised by a licensed professional engineer who has authority for final approval of all projects. Work requires contact with local governmental representatives, engineering contractors, and private entities. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor. All employees classified as Engineering Assistants are required to participate in the Engineering Assistant Career Development Program (EACDP), which requires signing a Program Agreement outlining employee responsibilities and service time commitment.

Essential Duties

• Actively prepares for professional engineering licensing/registration through appropriate training and exams and completion/maintenance of required documentation.
• Participates in Career Development for the Engineering Assistants program which includes job rotation, training, and continuing education.
• Performs construction inspection and material sampling/testing.
• Performs design computations and plan preparations to include preparing plan sheets for construction projects.
• Performs engineering calculations for plan quantities as part of PS&E preparation activities.
• Performs engineering-related calculations and drafting/design work.
• Performs engineering-related planning, design, data collection, evaluation, and analysis activities.
• Prepares and checks plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) and designs.
• Uses automated roadway/structural/hydraulic design programs and computer-assisted design/engineering systems.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's Degree in engineering or related science bachelor's or higher degree accepted by TX PELS.

Note: If you graduate in December 2026 with a Bachelor's Degree in accordance with the requirements above, you can apply for this position. However, if offered the job, you must provide proof of your degree no later than your start date.

Acceptable Substitutions

• Master's degree in engineering or a Master of engineering degree from an institution that offers a bachelor of science degree in the same discipline, accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET), may substitute for a Bachelor's degree.
• Doctoral degree in engineering or a doctor of engineering degree from an institution that offers a bachelor of science degree in the same discipline, accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET), may substitute for a Bachelor's degree.

Experience

Engineering Assistant I: No work experience is required. No supervisory experience required.

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid US driver's license (position requires driving a state vehicle).

Competencies

• Transportation engineering terminology and fundamentals
• Transportation design engineering principles, practices, and methods and the application of engineering theory
• Applicable plans, specifications, and estimates preparation, review, processing, and compliance requirements
• Computer-aided drafting and design systems
• Applicable inspection methods, procedures, and techniques
• Materials used in highway/bridge construction and maintenance
• The Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
• Applying engineering principles, practices, and methods in job responsibilities
• Performing calculations to include material and labor estimates, expenses, technical survey data, and engineering calculations
• Maintaining a safe and effective working relationship with others
• Exercises logic and reasoning to define problems, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; makes decisions that support business objectives and goals

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions.

• Sedentary work: Lift up to 10 lbs at a time and occasionally carry files/small tools.
• Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words.
• Close Visual Acuity: work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading.

Conditions of Employment

• This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical.
• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions.
• This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
• Per the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) – medical marijuana under state law is not a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.
• All employees classified as Engineering Assistants are required to participate in the EA program. Participation in the Engineering Assistant Career Development Program (EACDP) requires that employees sign a Program Agreement, which outlines employee responsibilities and service time commitment. Failure to comply with all terms of the Program Agreement will result in reclassification.

Position Information

TxDOT's Pharr District is looking for an Engineering Assistant I to work in one of our locations in Pharr, TX, San Benito, TX, or Roma, TX. TxDOT provides exceptional training and comprehensive hands-on experience to recent graduates, with a workforce of over 13,000 employees statewide.

Work Locations

• Central Design (Pharr, TX)
• Design Support (Pharr, TX)
• District Lab (Pharr, TX)
• District Traffic Operations (Pharr, TX)
• District Maintenance (Pharr, TX)
• Pharr Area Office (Pharr, TX)
• San Benito Area Office (San Benito, TX)
• Roma Area Office (Roma, TX)

Salary Range

Engineering Assistant I (B20): $66,000 – $81,351 annually ($5,500 – $6,779.25 monthly).

Benefits

• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many offices statewide are designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. For a complete list of the total compensation package, visit the Total Compensation Package page. For benefits available to all State of Texas employees, visit Benefits at a Glance | ERS.

Job Schedule: Full-time | Employee Status: Regular | Job Level: Non-Management | Posted: Oct 23, 2026 | State Job Title: Engineering Specialist III