Bridge Geotechnical Engineer I, II, III, or IV - Bridge Division

TxDOT's Bridge Division is looking to hire a Bridge Geotechnical Engineer I, II, III, or IV 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 in-house geotechnical analyses and designs, develops details and specifications, including for scour remediations/countermeasures for projects across the State of Texas. The ideal candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate with a team of Geotechnical Engineers on projects serving 25 Districts and the State of Texas, applying current industry and TxDOT specifications while advancing design and construction practices through new innovations and technology.

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!

This position is for one Transportation Engineer I, II, III or IV depending on business need and the applicant’s qualifications.

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

•    Transportation Engineer I    : B24 $65,104.00 - $96,000.00 yearly
•    Transportation Engineer II   : B25 $69,572.00 - $ 102,000.00 yearly
•    Transportation Engineer III  : B26 $76,530.00 - $ 113,300.00 yearly
•    Transportation Engineer IV   : B27 $84,182.00 - $124,600.00 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 I:
Performs geotechnical engineering in the functional areas of design, construction, 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 geotechnical engineering in the functional areas of design, construction, 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 geotechnical engineering in the functional areas of design, construction, 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.

Transportation Engineer IV:
Performs highly advanced and complex geotechnical engineering in the functional areas of design, construction, 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 are virtually self-supervising and assume direct accountability for the work product.
 

Essential Duties:

Transportation Engineer I:

• Designs moderately complex bridge foundation and retaining wall projects and performs specialized design.
• Develops and/or reviews engineering related documents, correspondence, reports and remediation plans.
• Assists in reviewing shop drawings prepared by fabricators for retaining walls and related structures.
• Assists in the development of specifications for special geotechnical design details and projects.
• Makes presentations and represents TxDOT.
• Monitors consultants' progress and work quality; checks invoices and associated documents; prepares supplemental agreements.
• Represents the division at various meetings.
• Reviews designs and detailed drawings of bridge foundations and retaining structures prepared by other engineers and technicians.
• Reviews shop drawings, plans, specifications, estimates, supplemental agreements and change order requests.
• Drives to project/work locations to make on-site engineering reviews, analyses, tests and to provide technical support.

Transportation Engineer II – Performs all of the above duties plus:

• Designs complex bridge foundation and retaining wall projects and performs specialized design.
• Serves as a primary help desk resource for routine technical and policy issues.
• Updates, reviews, monitors, and/or reviews requests for changes to plans, manuals and/or standard sheets.
• Develops training courses and/or materials.
• Represents the district/division at technical meetings and public hearings at local, state, federal and/or international levels.
• Acts in an advisory capacity on administrative, technical, regulatory and engineering aspects of transportation.

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

• Designs highly complex bridge foundation and retaining wall projects and performs specialized design.
• Performs advanced and complex engineering design work such as development of layouts, sketches, plans, specifications, estimates and contracts.

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

• Chairs or serves as a member of a contract selection team.
• Coordinates and/or monitors consultant contracts related projects.
• Develops short-term and long-term goals and coordinates planning activities and resources required to meet goals.
• Monitors contract performance, evaluates contract deliverables, reviews billing documentation, monitors the consultant's compliance with the terms of the contract, and/or prepares and delivers a written evaluation of the consultant's performance.
• Serves as a project manager overseeing consultants performing advanced and complex engineering work.
  
   

Minimum Qualifications:

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

Experience: 

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

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

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

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*

   

*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:

• Hydrologic, hydraulic and geotechnical design activities and principles
• Standards and specifications for bridges and other transportation structures
• Bridge construction and evaluation methods, procedures and regulations
• Foundation analysis programs
• Bridge inspection and appraisal methods and procedures
• Researching, analyzing, and interpreting policies and state and federal laws and regulations specific to functional area
• Applying engineering principles, practices, and methods in job responsibilities
• Planning, coordinating and handling multiple projects within area of responsibility to meet short and long-term deadlines
• Developing and giving presentations

Transportation Engineer II and III– Greater skill in all of the above plus:

• Speaking to present images and ideas in a clear, concise, organized, and interesting manner to optimize audience understanding and keep the 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
• Exercises logic and reasoning to define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; makes decisions that support business objectives and goals

Transportation Engineer IV– Greater skill in all of the above plus:

• Establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support overall business strategy/results; anticipating and adjusting for problems/roadblocks
• Coordinating and directing multiple projects
• Geotechnical engineering terminology, principles, practices and methods and the application of engineering theory
   

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
• Stooping-bending body downward and forward by bending spine at waist
• Crouching-bending body downward and forward by bending leg(s) and spine
• Close Visual Acuity-work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading
• Repetitive Motion-substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers
   

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