Design-Inspection Engineer II, III, or IV

Dallas District’s Bridge Section has a unique opportunity for a Design–Inspection Engineer based in our headquarters in Mesquite, TX. This engineer will perform field work as part of the bridge inspection team while also contributing to design work for a variety of construction and maintenance projects. Dallas District oversees the maintenance, inspection, and monitoring of more than 7,000 bridges—more structures than most states. Responsibilities for this position will include routine inspections, special inspections, condition surveys, QC of inspections, and preparation and review of scour documentation. 

This position will focus on either bridge design or geotechnical design. Regardless of primary focus, all engineers in this role will participate in inspection activities and scour documentation. For those focused on geotechnical design, responsibilities may include retaining wall design and geotechnical analysis. For those focused on bridge design, responsibilities may include the design of concrete and steel bridges and miscellaneous structures. The Dallas District is one of the fastest-growing areas in Texas. Our Bridge Section is involved in all aspects of design, construction, and maintenance for our expanding bridge and roadway system. 

Additional responsibilities could include plan review, development of bridge maintenance projects, shop plan review, responding to contractor questions, and resolving construction issues. The ideal candidate has knowledge of Bentley’s OpenBridge Designer software or geotechnical design and analysis software, can self-manage small projects, and contribute effectively to larger ones. If you are looking for a career as part of a diverse workforce and have the technical skills to help advance our program, let’s talk!

Position Title

Salary Grade/Range

This position is for a Transportation Engineer II, III or IV. 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 II, III, IV: Performs highly 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 are virtually self-supervising and assume direct accountability for the work product.

Essential Duties:

Transportation Engineer II:

• Performs complex engineering design work such as development of layouts, sketches, plans, specifications, estimates and contracts.
• Assists with design, computer operations and plan preparation
• Reviews and checks special designs and solutions for unique structural problems
• Reviews designs and detailed drawings of bridges, retaining walls and related structures prepared by other engineers and technicians.
• Drives/travels to project/work locations to make on-site engineering reviews, analyses, tests and to provide technical support.
• Assists districts with bridge inspection-related matters.
• Rates and monitors load carrying capacities of bridges
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Transportation Engineer III - Performs all the above plus:

• Performs highly complex structural analysis of bridge designs.
• Reviews shop drawings prepared by fabricators for bridges and related structures

Transportation Engineer IV - Performs all the above plus:

• Inspects structures for impact damage and construction problems and may prepare emergency repair plan. 
• Performs inspections, structural evaluations and analyses of bridges and related structures that have appraisal and condition ratings or are recommended for closure.
• Assign material testing and review results for compliance with specifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Education - Transportation Engineer II, III, IV: Bachelor's Degree in engineering or related science bachelor's or higher degree accepted by TX PELS.

Experience:

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

Transportation Engineer IV

7 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:

• Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
• Licensed Prof Engineer*
• If performing underwater bridge inspections: Must have Open Water Diver certification.
• For Bridge Inspection: Must have completed a comprehensive training course based on the Bridge Inspector's Training Manual or NICET Level III or IV certification in Bridge Safety Inspection within (1) year of date 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

Transportation Engineer IV
Must have at least one year of active participation in bridge inspection activities in accordance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS), and/or one year of experience in bridge design or transportation geotechnical design.
    
Competencies:

Transportation Engineer II
Extensive knowledge of:

• Design and plan preparation methods and requirements.
• Bridge inspection and appraisal methods and procedures. 
• Performing basic design and drafting.
• Foundation analysis programs
• Hydrologic, hydraulic and geotechnical design activities and principles
• Maintaining a safe and effective working relationship with others

• Using computers and applicable programs, applications, and systems.
   

  Transportation Engineer III  - all the above plus:
   

• Structural engineering terminology, principles, practices and methods and the application of engineering theory.
• Computerized structural analysis techniques.

• Performing calculations to include material and labor estimates, expenses, technical survey data and engineering calculations
   

  Transportation Engineer IV- all the above plus: 
   

• Standards and specifications for bridges and other transportation structures 
• Fatigue and fracture mechanics 
• Bridge construction and evaluation methods, procedures and regulations.
• Reviews and checks special designs and solutions for unique structural or geotechnical problems

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Subject to outside environmental conditions; no effective weather protection
• Subject to extreme cold and heat; below 32 and/or above 100 degrees for more than one hour
• Subject to noise
• Subject to vibration
• Subject to hazards-moving vehicles/mechanical parts, high places/heat, or chemicals
• 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
• 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
• Reaching-extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction
• Walking - moving on foot to accomplish tasks: long distance/from one work site to another
• 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-operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment
   

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