Lead Geotechnical Transportation Engineer III, IV or V – Bridge Division

TxDOT’s Bridge Division is looking to hire a Geotechnical Engineer Design Group Lead based in Austin, TX. The Geotechnical Branch in Bridge Division develops geotechnical design policy, scour evaluation policy, develops retaining wall and bridge foundation standards, implements research, supports construction, performs geotechnical analyses and designs, and develops details for designs performed in-house, and scour remediations/countermeasures for projects statewide. This individual will lead a group of engineers and engineering assistants in performing analysis, design, and development of detailed plans for geotechnical related structures and designs for projects statewide.

Texas’ inventory of over 57,000 bridges is 28,000 more than any other state, and more than the combined inventories of 17 states. For more information on the Texas Bridge Program, go to https://www.txdot.gov/government/reports/texas-bridges.html.If you are looking for a career as part of a diverse workforce of over 13,000 employees statewide and you have the technical and leadership skills to help lead the largest bridge program in the country, let’s talk!

The work location is 6230 E Stassney Lane, Austin, TX 78744

• Transportation Engineer III: B26: $76,530 – $113,300 yearly
• Transportation Engineer IV: B27: $84,182 - $124,600 yearly
• Transportation Engineer V: B28: $92,600 - $137,000 yearly

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 III, IV, or V:

Performs highly advanced and complex transportation engineering work, in one or more functional areas such as planning, project development and design, geotechnical analysis and design, construction, maintenance and/or research. Ensures compliance with applicable federal and state laws, policies, procedures, standards and guidelines. Work requires contact with governmental officials, private entities and contractors. Employees at this level are virtually self-supervising and assume direct accountability for the work product.

Essential Duties:

Transportation Engineer Iii:

• Designs, sketches and recommends bridge, retaining wall, and slope repair procedures.
• Performs highly complex geotechnical designs and performs specialized design.
• Develops specifications for special geotechnical design details and projects.

• Leads/Trains Professional Staff.

• Chairs or serves as a member of a contract selection team.
• Develops and oversees geotechnical consultant contracts.
• Negotiates fees and budgets, develops and negotiates scopes of work, negotiates. contract work schedules, and negotiates other contract agreements.
• Coordinate with District and Area offices on design, plan preparation, construction, and maintenance matters.
• Reviews designs and detailed drawings of bridges and related structures prepared by other engineers and technicians.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Transportation Engineer IV - Performs all of the above duties plus:

• Investigates materials failures or fabrication problems; reviews test data and assists in determining cause of failing materials.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Transportation Engineer V - Performs all of the above duties plus:

• Reviews and checks special designs and solutions for unique geo-structural problems.
• Reviews and provides guidance on research project reports and other deliverables.
• 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.

Experience:

Transportation Engineer III: 6 YEARS engineering, transportation engineering, or related engineering experience (Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated parttime equivalent) (Related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis)

Transportation Engineer IV: 7 YEARS engineering, transportation engineering, or related engineering experience (Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated parttime equivalent) (Related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis)

Transportation Engineer V: 8 YEARS engineering, transportation engineering, or related engineering experience (Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated parttime equivalent) (Related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis)

Licenses And Certifications:

• Mandatory: TX Licensed Professional Engineer
• Mandatory: Safety Impact Certificate
• Safety Impact certification is not required at the time of application.  The Safety Impact certification will be issued by TxDOT at the time of            hire.
• 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.
• Mandatory: TX Licensed Professional Engineer
• Mandatory: Safety Impact Certificate
• *Safety Impact certification is not required at the time of application.  The Safety Impact certification will be issued by TxDOT at the time of            hire.
• 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.
• *Safety Impact certification is not required at the time of application.  The Safety Impact certification will be issued by TxDOT at the time of            hire.
• 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 Iii:

Extensive Knowledge Of:

• Geotechnical design engineering principles, practices and methods and the application of engineering theory.
• Standards and specifications for bridges and other transportation structures. 
• Bridge and retaining wall construction and evaluation methods, procedures and regulations.
• Applicable industry safety standards, guidelines, and specification codes.
• Geotechnical and foundation analysis programs.

Expert Skill In:

• Applying engineering principles, practices, and methods in job responsibilities.
• Establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support overall business strategy/results, anticipating and adjusting for problems/roadblocks.

Proficient Skill In:

• Exercising logic and reasoning to define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; makes decisions that support business objectives and goals.
• Planning, coordinating and handling multiple projects within area of responsibility to meet short and long-term deadlines.
• Leading, assigning, reviewing, and monitoring the work of others.
• Monitoring the status and progress of projects.

Transportation Engineer Iv:

Extensive Knowledge Of:

• Geotechnical design engineering principles, practices and methods and the application of engineering theory.
• Standards and specifications for bridges and other transportation structures.
• Bridge and retaining wall construction and evaluation methods, procedures and regulations.
• Applicable industry safety standards, guidelines, and specification codes
• Geotechnical and foundation analysis programs.

Expert Skill In:

• Applying engineering principles, practices, and methods in job responsibilities.
• Establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support overall business strategy/results, anticipating and adjusting for problems/roadblocks.
• Exercising logic and reasoning to define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; makes decisions that support business objectives and goals.
• Coordinating and directing multiple projects.

Proficient Skill In:

• Leading, assigning, reviewing, and monitoring the work of others.
• Planning, coordinating and handling multiple projects within area of responsibility to meet short and long-term deadlines

Transportation Engineer V:

Extensive Knowledge Of:

• Geotechnical design engineering principles, practices and methods and the application of engineering theory.
• Standards and specifications for bridges and other transportation structures.
• Bridge and retaining wall construction and evaluation methods, procedures and regulations.
• Applicable industry safety standards, guidelines, and specification codes
• Geotechnical and foundation analysis programs.
• Planning, coordinating and handling multiple projects within area of responsibility to meet short and long-term deadlines.

Expert Skill In:

• Applying engineering principles, practices, and methods in job responsibilities.
• Negotiating settlement of differences without damaging relationships; applying effective questioning and listening techniques to determine other parties' positions in a direct and diplomatic manner.
• Exercising logic and reasoning to define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; makes decisions that support business objectives and goals.

Proficient Skill In:

• Speaking to present images and ideas in a clear, concise, organized, and interesting manner to optimize audience understanding and keep group focused.
• 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.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions:

• Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions.
• Light work: Lift up to 20 lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs.
• Stooping-bending body downward and forward by bending spine at waist.
• Crouching-bending body downward and forward by bending leg(s) and spine.
• Repetitive Motion-substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• 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)
• 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.
• 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