Transportation Engineer I, II or III - Central Design/Bridge Office

Ready to design the future of Texas transportation? Join the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) - El Paso District as a Transportation Engineer in our Central Design or Bridge Office, where you will play a vital role in shaping safe, efficient, and innovative projects that impact communities across the state. 

Transportation Engineers contribute to planning, design, and project development, working in a collaborative environment with opportunities to travel, engage with local and federal partners, and apply advanced engineering practices to real-world challenges. With responsibilities ranging from developing plans and specifications to recommending improvements and supporting project delivery, this position offers meaningful career growth, professional development, and the chance to shape the state's transportation system.

Salary Range For Each Position:

Transportation Engineer I - B24 - $65,104.00 - $106,634.00

Transportation Engineer II - B25 - $69,572.00 - $114,099.00

Transportation Engineer III - B26 - $76,530.00 - $129,430.00

Important: 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/or 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/or 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/or 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 with design, computer operations and plan preparation.
• Coordinates phases of preliminary design and revisions in PS&E with districts, divisions, Administration, the FHWA, contractors, fabricators, Corps of Engineers and local entities.
• Develops and/or reviews engineering related documents, correspondence, reports and remediation plans.
• Inspects structures for impact damage and/or construction problems and may design emergency shoring to prevent collapse of damaged structures.
• Performs and/or coordinates the review and processing of Plans, Specifications & Estimates (PS&E) submission, special specifications or special provisions.
• Performs data collection, analyses, forecasts and plan development.
• Performs engineering design work such as development of layouts, sketches, plans, specifications, estimates and contracts.
• Provides technical assistance in drainage design, resolution of drainage complaints, hydraulics evaluations and other hydrology matters.
• Recommends bridge replacement, bridge rehabilitation and repair of damaged bridges.
• Reviews, processes and certifies project design plans developed by consulting engineers.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

In addition to the responsibilities above: 

Transportation Engineer Ii

• Assists in developing and/or monitoring budgets.
• Performs complex engineering design work such as development of layouts, sketches, plans, specifications, estimates and contracts.
• Answers technical and policy questions related to bridge inspection and maintains bridge inspection data; analyzes data and provides summaries.
• Coordinates maintenance matters with Area Engineers.
• Coordinates with utility companies, attorneys and governmental representatives to accurately depict the highway project's impact on adjacent properties.
• Monitors consultants' progress and work quality; checks invoices and associated documents; prepares supplemental agreements.
• Reviews and revises schematics, PS&E, project designs, shop drawings and field changes for traffic control devices, signals, signs, markings, detours, traffic control plans, electrical distribution and roadway lighting and traffic management systems.
• Makes presentations and represents TxDOT.
• Reviews designs and detailed drawings of bridges and related structures prepared by other engineers and technicians.
• Uses department's enterprise Critical Path Method (CPM) schedule and resource management tool to accomplish scheduling and resource management of transportation projects.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

In addition to the responsibilities above: 

Transportation Engineer Iii

• Assesses and reports actual project progress versus planned progress to determine trends and variances for complex projects.
• Develops plans for the Project Managers related to resource assignments, schedules, scope, communication, quality, and procurement, while utilizing available resources and maintaining the agency's project objectives.
• Performs advanced and complex engineering design work such as development of layouts, sketches, plans, specifications, estimates and contracts.
• Utilizes project management principles in initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, controlling and closing for complex transportation projects.
• Reviews and checks special designs and solutions for unique structural problems.
• Negotiates fees, explains scope of work and monitors consultant design contracts.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

Transportation Engineer I, II & III

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related science bachelor's or higher degree accepted by TX PELS. Related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis. 

Experience:

Transportation Engineer I

4 years 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 per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Transportation Engineer Ii

5 years 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 per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Transportation Engineer Iii

6 years 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 per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Licenses And Certifications:

Transportation Engineer I, II & III

• Valid driver’s license at the time of application. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
• Important: Licensed Professional 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

Considerable Knowledge Of

1. HyHydrologic and hydraulic engineering principles, practices and methods and the application of engineering theory
2. Hydrologic, hydraulic and geotechnical design activities and principles
3. Highway construction design applications
4. Applicable plans, specifications and estimates preparation, review, processing and compliance requirements
5. Applicable engineering workstations and applications to support efficient planning and design activities
6. Design and plan preparation methods and requirements
7. Cost estimating and cost controls
8. Applicable laws, rules, and regulations 

Proficient Skill In

1. Researching, analyzing, and interpreting policies and state and federal laws and regulations specific to functional area.
2. Public relations for maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external.
3. Applying engineering principles, practices, and methods in job responsibilities.
4. Performing basic design and drafting.
5. Performing calculations to include material and labor estimates, expenses, technical survey data and engineering calculations.
6. Planning, coordinating and handling multiple projects within area of responsibility to meet short and long-term deadlines.
7. Leading, assigning, reviewing, and monitoring the work of others.
8. Developing and giving presentations.
9. Using computers, applicable programs, applications, and systems.
10. Maintaining a safe and effective working relationship with others.

Some Skill In:

1. Exercises logic and reasoning to define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; makes decisions that support business objectives and goals

Transportation Engineer Ii

Considerable Knowledge Of

1. Hydrologic and hydraulic engineering principles, practices and methods and the application of engineering theory
2. Hydrologic, hydraulic and geotechnical design activities and principles
3. Applicable plans, specifications and estimates preparation, review, processing and compliance requirements
4. Geometric design relationships to traffic operations, maintenance and construction
5. Applicable engineering workstations and applications to support efficient planning and design activities
6. Design and plan preparation methods and requirements
7. Cost estimating and cost controls
8. Applicable laws, rules, and regulations

Proficient Skill In

1. Negotiating settlement of differences without damaging relationships; applying effective questioning and listening techniques to determine other parties' positions in a direct and diplomatic manner. 
2. Speaking to present images and ideas in a clear, concise, organized, and interesting manner to optimize audience understanding and keep the group focused.
3. Monitoring the status and progress of projects.

Some Skill In:

1. 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.

Transportation Engineer Iii

Considerable Knowledge Of

1. Critical Path Method for managing projects
2. Applying engineering principles, practices, and methods in job responsibilities

Proficient Skill In

1. 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 plannedaction
2. Planning, assigning, directing, coordinating and reviewing the work of professional, administrative and technicalemployees

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions:

Transportation Engineer I, II & III

• Required to wear protective gear-respirator, hard hat, or other device.
• Sedentary work: Lift up to 10 lbs. at a time and occasionally carry files/small tools.
• Balancing-walking, standing, crouching on various surfaces without falling
• Crouching-bending body downward and forward by bending leg(s) and spine.
• Fingering-picking, pinching, typing; working primarily with fingers rather than whole hand.
• Grasping-applying pressure to an object with fingers and palm.
• Talking expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words.
• Hearing-perceive sound at normal speaking levels; receive information by oral communication
• Repetitive Motion-substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Close Visual Acuity-work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading.
• Close Visual Acuity-work includes visual inspection of small defects/parts

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