Transportation Engineer I or II (Bridge Design Engineer)

TxDOT's Houston District Bridge Design Section is looking for a Bridge Designer to work within the design team to plan, model, design, and detail new bridges as well as bridge rehabilitation for transportation projects throughout the Houston District's 6-county area.

About the role

Performs transportation engineering work in one or more functional areas such as planning, project development and design, construction, transportation/traffic operations, and maintenance. Ensures compliance with applicable federal and state laws, policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines. Work requires contact with governmental officials and private entities.

Responsibilities

• Assists in reviewing shop drawings prepared by fabricators for bridges and related structures.
• Assists in the development of specifications for special bridge design details and projects.
• Designs moderately complex to complex bridge projects and performs specialized design.
• Develops and/or reviews engineering-related documents, correspondence, reports, and remediation plans.
• Drives/travels to project/work locations to make on-site engineering reviews, analyses, tests, and to provide technical support.
• Makes presentations and represents TxDOT.
• Reviews designs and detailed drawings of bridges and related structures prepared by other engineers and technicians.
• Reviews literature, technical data, material specifications, and procedures.
• Reviews shop drawings, plans, specifications, estimates, supplemental agreements, and change order requests.
• Performs complex structural analysis of bridge designs (Engineer II level).
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related science (bachelor's or higher degree accepted by TX PELS).
• Valid driver’s license; this position requires driving a state vehicle.
• For Bridge Inspection: Must complete a comprehensive training course based on the Bridge Inspector's Training Manual or NICET Level III or IV certification in Bridge Safety Inspection within one year of hire.
• Professional engineers licensed in another state must meet Texas licensing requirements, obtain a Texas professional engineering license within six months of hire, and sign an agreement to that effect.

Qualifications

• Transportation Engineer I: 4 years of engineering, transportation engineering, or related experience. Related graduate-level education may substitute for experience on a year-per-year basis.
• Transportation Engineer II: 5 years of engineering, transportation engineering, or related experience. Related graduate-level education may substitute for experience on a year-per-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous bridge design or other structural design experience.
• Ability to work within a CAD environment and structural analysis software.
• Ability to work well in a team environment and communicate professionally.
• Self-motivated to learn new skills.
• Ability to read and understand plans and construction sequences.

Skills

• Considerable knowledge of standards and specifications for bridges and other transportation structures.
• Knowledge of fatigue and fracture mechanics, bridge construction, evaluation methods, procedures, and regulations.
• Proficiency in computerized structural analysis techniques.
• Skill in researching, analyzing, and interpreting policies and state and federal laws and regulations specific to the functional area.
• Skill in applying engineering principles, practices, and methods in job responsibilities.
• Skill in performing basic design and drafting, calculations (including material and labor estimates, expenses, technical survey data, and engineering calculations), and developing presentations.
• Proficiency in using computers, applicable programs, applications, and systems.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions.
• Required to wear protective gear such as respirator, hard hat, or other devices.
• Light work: Lift up to 20 lbs. at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs.
• Climbing: Ascending/descending ladders, stairs, scaffoldings, ramps, etc.
• Balancing: Walking, standing, crouching on various surfaces without falling.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at waist.
• Crouching: Bending body downward and forward by bending leg(s) and spine.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words.
• Hearing: Perceive sound at normal speaking levels; receive information by oral communication.
• Close Visual Acuity: Work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading.
• Visual Acuity: Determine work quality/make general observations of facilities/structures.

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.

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 TxDOT website. To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees, visit Benefits at a Glance.

Schedule

Full-time