Engineering Assistant I, II, or III (Lufkin District)

Launch Your Engineering Career With Txdot – Lufkin District!

Graduating in December 2025 or already hold a degree in engineering or related science? Join our Engineering Assistant Program and gain paid, hands-on experience across five key areas:

• 18 months in Planning and Development 
• 12 months in Construction 
• 6 months in Maintenance Operations 
• 6 months in Traffic Operations 
• 6 months in Lab

With dedicated mentorship and real-world challenges, this program builds confident, well-rounded engineers ready to shape the future of transportation in Texas. Apply now and make your mark!

• Engineer Assistant I - Salary Grade: B20; Salary Range: $51,158 - $81,351 yearly 
• Engineer Assistant II - Salary Grade: B21; Salary Range: $54,278 - $87,046 yearly 
• Engineer Assistant III - Salary Grade: B22; Salary Range: $57,614 - $93,138 yearly

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)
 

Performs engineering work. Work involves 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.

NOTE:  All employees classified as Engineering Assistants are required to participate in the Engineering Assistant Career Development 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.

Essential Duties:

The Essential Duties For The Engineer Assistant I Include:

• Actively prepares for professional engineering licensing/registration through appropriate training and exams and completion/maintenance of required documentation. 
• Applies engineering principles, methods, and techniques to a wide variety of transportation-related activities. 
• Assists during emergencies and inclement weather. 
• Assists in survey activities. 
• Collects engineering data at project sites. 
• Participates in Career Development for the Engineering Assistants program which includes job rotation, training, and continuing education. 
• Performs engineering-related calculations and drafting/design work. 
• Performs engineering-related duties in the field of transportation engineering. 
• Prepares and checks plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) and designs. 
• Prepares drawings and exhibits to support public involvement. 
• Reviews construction plans prepared by consultants. 
• Uses automated roadway/structural/hydraulic design programs and computer-assisted design/engineering systems. 
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Additional Duties For Engineer Assistant Ii Include:

• Performs advanced and specialized engineering design work. 
• Actively prepares for professional engineering licensing/registration through appropriate training and exams and completion/maintenance of required documentation. 
• Assists in survey activities. 
• Assists in training less experienced engineering assistants, specialist and/or technicians. 
• Creates detailed PS&E. 
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Additional Duties For Engineer Assistant Iii Include:

• Trains less experienced engineering assistants, specialists, and technicians. 
• Serves as a lead worker and the related tasks. 
• Performs engineering-related planning, design, data collection, evaluation, and analysis activities. 
• Reviews/designs and details bridge and structural elements. 
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications For All Levels:

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

Acceptable Substitutions For All Levels:

• 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, which has been 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, which has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET) may substitute for a Bachelor's degree.

Additional Acceptable Substitution Engineering Assistant Iii:

Experience:

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

Engineer Assistant II:  1 year of Engineering related experience (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent).  No supervisory experience required.

Engineer Assistant III:  2 years of Engineering related experience (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent).  No supervisory experience required. Passing Professional Engineer (PE) exam prior to obtaining requisite experience for gaining PE licensure may substitute for two (2) years of engineering related work experience. 

Licenses And Certifications:

• Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

Additional Certification Required For Engineer Assistant Ii And Iii:

• Mandatory:  TX Engineer In Training Certificate

Preferred Qualifications:

• Has passed the FE    

Competencies:

The Required Competencies For The Engineer Assistant I Include:

Some Knowledge Of:

• Transportation engineering terminology and fundamentals
• Applicable plans, specifications and estimates preparation, review, processing, and compliance requirements
• Computer-aided drafting and design systems
• Plan review methods, processes, and procedures
• The Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

Proficient Skill In:

• Application of engineering fundamentals
• Using engineering workstations and applications of engineering technology
• Reading and interpreting applicable plans, schematics, blueprints, and maps
• Applying engineering principles, practices, and methods in job responsibilities
• Performing calculations using algebra, trigonometry, and geometry
• Maintaining a safe and effective working relationship with others

Additional Competencies For Engineer Assistant Ii Include:

Considerable Knowledge Of:

• Materials used in highway/bridge construction and maintenance
• Highway construction and maintenance

Proficient Skill In:

• Advanced and specialized design/drafting
• Design review
• Performing calculations to include material and labor estimates, expenses, technical survey data and engineering calculations

Additional Competencies For Engineer Assistant Iii Include:

Considerable Knowledge Of:

• Applicable governmental laws, rules, and regulations specific to area of responsibility for safeguarding information and information technology related systems
• Applicable laws, rules, and regulations
• Transportation design engineering principles, practices and methods and the application of engineering theory
• Engineering designs

Proficient Skill In:

• Leading, assigning, reviewing, and monitoring the work of others

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions:

The Physical Requirements And Working Conditions For The Engineer Assistant I, Ii, And Iii Include:

• Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions.
• Subject to hazards-moving vehicles/mechanical parts, high places/heat, or chemicals.
• Required to wear protective gear-respirator, hard hat, or other device.
• Light work: Life up to 20lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs.
• Balancing- walking, standing, crouching on various surfaces without falling.
• Close Visual Acuity-work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading.

Conditions Of Employment:

Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)

Conditions For An Engineer Assistant:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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