Transportation Engineer I, II, or III (Field Engineer)

TxDOT is looking for Transportation Engineer I, II, or III, based in Houston's Traffic Systems Construction Office at 6810 Old Katy Rd. We are seeking a highly motivated individual to be part of our project office construction team. As a Transportation Engineer I, II, or III, you will be dealing daily with a wide variety of construction projects related to Computerized Traffic Management System, Signal Interconnect, Highway Safety Lighting, Traffic Signals, School Zones, etc. within the Houston District area. The Transportation Engineer I, II, or III, will be assisting the Area Engineer with contract administration and inspection for construction projects within the Houston District for contractors' compliance with plans and specifications, ensuring barricades are installed and maintained, reviewing payments of installed work items, ensuring that projects are not over budget, and submitted for final project close-out in a timely manner.

The Texas Department of Transportation reserves the sole right in determining the level of position based on the applicant's work experience, education, skill level, and all other appropriate factors, and based on business needs. 

At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including:

• 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 of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

• For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package
• To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)

Transportation Engineer I
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. Employees at this level follow standard practices that do not require frequent supervision of details.

Transportation Engineer II
Performs complex 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. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

Transportation Engineer III
Performs advanced and complex 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. Employees at this level establish their own work plan and priorities to meet set objectives. Issues are rarely referred to the supervisor but are handled at the occurrence.

Essential Duties:

Transportation Engineer I

• Assists in overseeing contracts, issuing work orders and monitoring construction schedules and contractor payments and job progress on construction projects.
• Investigates and responds to public complaints on traffic signals, signs, railroad crossings, pavement markings, traffic management systems or other traffic related items.
• Leads/Trains professional and administrative staff.
• Monitors contractors' compliance with plans and specifications.
• Resolves differences between contractors and inspectors.
• Reviews change orders, supplemental agreements, memorandum agreements, and extra work orders; reviews monthly and final estimates prior to submittal.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.
• Transportation Engineer II
• Includes all essential duties listed for Transportation Engineer I, as well as:
• Oversees contracts, issues work orders, monitors construction schedules, contractor payments, and job progress on construction projects.
• Oversees district laboratory operations and monitors material testing requirements and results for compliance with specifications.
• Coordinates and/or monitors assigned projects/programs/plans.
• Drives/travels to project/work locations to make on-site engineering reviews, analyses, tests, and to provide technical support.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned
• Transportation Engineer III
• Includes all essential duties listed for Transportation Engineer I and II, as well as:
• Assists Area Engineers with construction contract administration matters.
• Oversees construction project traffic control plans; periodically reviews traffic control devices with Area Engineers.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Transportation Engineer I

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

Experience: 4 years of engineering, transportation engineering, or related engineering experience (Experience can be satisfied by full-time or prorated part-time equivalent). Related graduate-level education may be substituted for experience on a year-by-year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Licenses And Certifications:

• Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
• Licensed Prof Engineer**Professional engineers licensed in another state in the United States, but not currently licensed in the State of Texas, must (1) meet the license requirements of the State of Texas Engineering Practices Act, (2) obtain a professional engineering license from the State of Texas within six (6) months of the date of hire, and (3) sign an agreement to that effect as a condition of employment.

Transportation Engineer Ii

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

Experience: 5 years of engineering, transportation engineering, or related engineering experience (Experience can be satisfied by full-time or prorated part-time equivalent). Related graduate-level education may be substituted for experience on a year-by-year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Licenses And Certifications:

• Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
• Licensed Prof Engineer**Professional engineers licensed in another state in the United States, but not currently licensed in the State of Texas, must (1) meet the license requirements of the State of Texas Engineering Practices Act, (2) obtain a professional engineering license from the State of Texas within six (6) months of the date of hire, and (3) sign an agreement to that effect as a condition of employment.

Transportation Engineer Iii

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

Experience: 6 years of engineering, transportation engineering, or related engineering experience (Experience can be satisfied by full-time or prorated part-time equivalent). Related graduate-level education may be substituted for experience on a year-by-year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Licenses And Certifications:

• Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
• Licensed Prof Engineer**Professional engineers licensed in another state in the United States, but not currently licensed in the State of Texas, must (1) meet the license requirements of the State of Texas Engineering Practices Act, (2) obtain a professional engineering license from the State of Texas within six (6) months of the date of hire, and (3) sign an agreement to that effect as a condition of employment.

Competencies:

Transportation Engineer I and II

Considerable Knowledge Of

• Construction engineering policies and procedures
• Construction, operation, and maintenance of traffic control devices
• Traffic management systems operations
• Applicable testing methods, processes, and procedures

Proficient Skill In

• Public relations for maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external
• Planning, coordinating, and handling multiple projects within area of responsibility to meet short and long-term deadlines
• Monitoring the status and progress of projects
• Leading, assigning, reviewing, and monitoring the work of others
• Using computers, applicable programs, applications, and systems

Other Attributes

• Exercises logic and reasoning to define problems, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; makes decisions that support business objectives and goals
• Transportation Engineer III
• Includes all competencies listed for Transportation Engineer I and II, as well as:

Proficient Skill In

• Facilitating groups using effective communications methods; contributing to and guiding groups in defining objectives, staying on task, and reaching consensus; soliciting participation, challenging ideas, and summarizing accomplishments and planned actions
• Negotiating settlement of differences without damaging relationships; applying effective questioning and listening techniques to determine other parties' positions in a direct and diplomatic manner

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions:

Transportation Engineer I, II, and III

• Subject to environmental conditions; protection from weather but not temperature changes
• Required to wear protective gear - respirator, hard hat, or other devices
• Medium work: Lift up to 50 lbs. at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 25 lbs.
• Balancing - walking, standing, crouching on various surfaces without falling
• Kneeling - bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee(s)
• Standing - prolonged periods of time
• Walking - moving on foot to accomplish tasks: long distance/from one work site to another
• Conditions of Employment:
• Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)
• 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.
• Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) – does not authorize “medical marijuana” under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.

TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category. 

To view the MOS codes please click on link below and click on the appropriate occupational category.

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions

The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990.

Please click this link to read the information for applicants: Additional Applicant Information