Traffic Engineer - Synchro Modeling

Parsons; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 179,000 - 257,000; Full time

Job summary

Parsons Corporation seeks an experienced Traffic Engineer specializing in Synchro and SimTraffic modeling in Riyadh. The role focuses on converting field data, geometry, and timing into dependable models to guide corridor optimization and signal timing improvements across Riyadh.

Ideal candidates have at least 4 years of traffic engineering experience, strong model calibration skills, and familiarity with Saudi or GCC urban networks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Traffic Engineering, or closely related discipline.
• Minimum 4 years of traffic engineering experience with substantial practical use of Synchro and SimTraffic.
• Proven ability to build, calibrate, validate, and apply intersection and corridor models using real traffic data.
• Strong understanding of signalized intersection operations, phasing, coordination, saturation flow, queues, delay, and capacity.
• Experience evaluating both traffic signal and geometric improvement alternatives.
• Working knowledge of Highway Capacity Manual principles and their application within Synchro.
• Ability to interpret controller timing sheets, turning-movement counts, roadway geometry, and field observations.
• Experience diagnosing congestion using both model outputs and real operating conditions.

Responsibilities

• Develop Synchro models for signalized intersections, unsignalized intersections, and coordinated arterial corridors.
• Build models using approved turning-movement counts, roadway geometry, signal timing information, and verified field conditions.
• Code lane configurations, turning movements, storage lengths, grades, heavy vehicle percentages, pedestrian phases, and other required parameters.
• Review saturation flow assumptions and adjust inputs where field conditions justify calibrated values.
• Enter signal phasing, cycle lengths, splits, offsets, clearance intervals, and coordination settings accurately.
• Calibrate model behavior using observed queues, field saturation conditions, travel times, cycle observations, and operational evidence.
• Validate Synchro and SimTraffic outputs against actual traffic conditions before using models for recommendation development.
• Identify bottlenecks, queue spillback, split failures, poor progression, capacity constraints, and inefficient signal operation.
• Use model results to distinguish isolated intersection problems from broader corridor-level interactions.
• Develop and test alternative timing plans, phasing arrangements, cycle lengths, splits, offsets.
• Evaluate lane-use changes, turn restrictions, channelization, minor geometric modifications.
• Optimize coordinated corridor plans to improve progression and reduce unnecessary delay and stopping.
• Assess queue management strategies where downstream congestion or limited storage affects network performance.
• Compare alternatives using delay, level of service, queue length, stops, travel time, volume-to-capacity ratio, throughput, and progression quality.
• Prepare clear before-and-after summaries showing the expected operational effects of proposed changes.
• Produce technical tables, exhibits, timing sheets, graphics, and concise engineering narratives.
• Coordinate with Traffic Signal Operations Engineers to translate approved model results into field-ready controller timing plans.
• Support development of field test strategies for timing changes recommended through Synchro analysis.
• Review field implementation results and compare observed performance against modeled expectations.
• Support quick-win traffic improvement programs by identifying measures that can be implemented with limited physical modification.
• Contribute to longer-term corridor strategies where modeling indicates more substantial design intervention is required.

Skills

Synchro

SimTraffic

Traffic Engineering

Traffic Operations Modeling

Intersection Analysis

Corridor Analysis

Signal Timing Analysis

Signal Phasing

Cycle Length Optimization

Split Optimization

Offset Optimization

Corridor Coordination

Green-Wave Analysis

Saturation Flow Analysis

Queue Analysis

Delay Analysis

Level of Service

Volume-to-Capacity Analysis

Throughput Analysis

Travel Time Analysis

Turning-Movement Counts

Model Calibration

Model Validation

Sensitivity Testing

Microsoft Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Traffic Engineering, or closely related discipline

Tools

Vissim

HCS

SIDRA

ArcGIS

ATSPM

Job description

Traffic Engineer - Synchro Modeling Job Snapshot

Role: Traffic Engineer - Synchro Modeling

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Industry: Civil Engineering

Function: Transportation

Experience: Minimum 4 years of relevant traffic engineering experience

Job Type: Full-time

Position Overview

Traffic Engineer - Synchro Modeling in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is a Civil Engineering opportunity focused on traffic operations modeling, signal optimization, corridor analysis, and intersection performance assessment using Synchro and SimTraffic. Parsons is hiring an experienced traffic engineer to develop, calibrate, validate, and apply operational models that support practical improvements in signal timing, phasing, lane use, geometry, progression, queue management, and corridor efficiency across Riyadh.

Job Details

Country: Saudi Arabia

City: Riyadh

Industry: Civil Engineering

Function: Transportation

Salary: 16000-23000 Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer.

Gender: Any

Candidate Nationality: Any

Job Type: Full-time

Role Context

The Traffic Engineer - Synchro Modeling will convert field traffic data, roadway geometry, existing signal timings, controller information, and observed operating conditions into dependable traffic operations models. Working with traffic engineering, signal operations, corridor assessment, roadway design, and field teams, the role will help identify the causes of congestion and test improvement strategies before they are introduced into live traffic operations. Accurate model calibration and disciplined scenario testing will be essential to ensuring recommendations are operationally realistic and supported by measurable evidence.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop Synchro models for signalized intersections, unsignalized intersections, and coordinated arterial corridors.


• Build models using approved turning-movement counts, roadway geometry, signal timing information, and verified field conditions.


• Code lane configurations, turning movements, storage lengths, grades, heavy vehicle percentages, pedestrian phases, and other required parameters.


• Review saturation flow assumptions and adjust inputs where field conditions justify calibrated values.


• Enter signal phasing, cycle lengths, splits, offsets, clearance intervals, and coordination settings accurately.


• Calibrate model behavior using observed queues, field saturation conditions, travel times, cycle observations, and operational evidence.


• Validate Synchro and SimTraffic outputs against actual traffic conditions before using models for recommendation development.


• Identify bottlenecks, queue spillback, split failures, poor progression, capacity constraints, and inefficient signal operation.


• Use model results to distinguish isolated intersection problems from broader corridor-level interactions.


• Develop and test alternative timing plans, phasing arrangements, cycle lengths, splits, offsets.


• Evaluate lane-use changes, turn restrictions, channelization, minor geometric modifications.


• Optimize coordinated corridor plans to improve progression and reduce unnecessary delay and stopping.


• Assess queue management strategies where downstream congestion or limited storage affects network performance.


• Compare alternatives using delay, level of service, queue length, stops, travel time, volume-to-capacity ratio, throughput, and progression quality.


• Prepare clear before-and-after summaries showing the expected operational effects of proposed changes.


• Produce technical tables, exhibits, timing sheets, graphics, and concise engineering narratives.


• Coordinate with Traffic Signal Operations Engineers to translate approved model results into field-ready controller timing plans.


• Support development of field test strategies for timing changes recommended through Synchro analysis.


• Review field implementation results and compare observed performance against modeled expectations.


• Support quick-win traffic improvement programs by identifying measures that can be implemented with limited physical modification.


• Contribute to longer-term corridor strategies where modeling indicates more substantial design intervention is required.


• Maintain organized model folders, version history, assumptions, input datasets, calibration notes, and quality review records.


• Apply disciplined version control when multiple scenarios, corridors, or timing alternatives are under development.


• Conduct sensitivity testing where traffic demand, detector behavior, signal operation, or field conditions introduce uncertainty.


• Evaluate alternative demand assumptions where peak traffic conditions vary significantly.


• Support traffic impact assessments where Synchro and SimTraffic are appropriate analytical tools.


• Provide modeling support for corridor studies, construction traffic analysis, and special-event planning.


• Participate in technical review sessions with senior traffic engineers.


• Revise models and recommendations in response to quality review comments and field verification.


• Apply HCM principles appropriately within Synchro analysis and document key assumptions.


• Review signal timing sheets, controller phasing, traffic counts, and field observations before finalizing model inputs.


• Support comparison between modeled signal operations and central traffic system information where available.


• Use ATSPM, probe travel-time data, or operational signal data as supplementary validation information where available.


• Coordinate with roadway and intersection design teams where geometric changes require operational assessment.


• Help identify locations where signal optimization alone will not provide adequate operational improvement.


• Develop standardized modeling procedures, templates, checklists, and quality-control practices for repeated project use.


• Maintain consistent documentation standards so model assumptions and recommendations remain transparent and auditable.


• Contribute traffic modeling results to technical reports, presentations, workshops, and corridor performance reviews.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor 's degree in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Traffic Engineering, or a closely related discipline.


• Minimum 4 years of traffic engineering experience with substantial practical use of Synchro and SimTraffic.


• Proven ability to build, calibrate, validate, and apply intersection and corridor models using real traffic data.


• Strong understanding of signalized intersection operations, phasing, coordination, saturation flow, queues, delay, and capacity.


• Practical knowledge of signal timing parameters including cycle lengths, splits, offsets, clearance intervals, and phase sequences.


• Experience evaluating both traffic signal and geometric improvement alternatives.


• Working knowledge of Highway Capacity Manual principles and their application within Synchro.


• Ability to interpret controller timing sheets, turning-movement counts, roadway geometry, and field observations.


• Experience diagnosing congestion using both model outputs and real operating conditions.


• Strong analytical approach to model calibration, assumptions, quality assurance, and sensitivity testing.


• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.


• Good written and verbal English communication skills.


• Experience modeling congested urban arterial corridors in Saudi Arabia, the GCC, or another major metropolitan environment is advantageous.


• Familiarity with Vissim, HCS, SIDRA, ArcGIS, or complementary traffic-analysis tools would add value.


• Experience field-validating timing plans developed through Synchro is highly desirable.


• Knowledge of adaptive signal control, central traffic signal systems, ATSPM, or probe travel-time data is beneficial.


• PTOE, PTP, or equivalent professional certification is an advantage.


• Arabic language skills are desirable but not required.


• Strong ability to coordinate effectively with signal operations, roadway design, field teams, and senior traffic engineers.

Skills Set

• Synchro


• SimTraffic


• Traffic Engineering


• Traffic Operations Modeling


• Intersection Analysis


• Corridor Analysis


• Signalized Intersection Modeling


• Unsignalized Intersection Modeling


• Signal Timing Analysis


• Signal Phasing


• Cycle Length Optimization


• Split Optimization


• Offset Optimization


• Corridor Coordination


• Green-Wave Analysis


• Traffic Progression


• Saturation Flow Analysis


• Queue Analysis


• Delay Analysis


• Level of Service


• Volume-to-Capacity Analysis


• Throughput Analysis


• Travel Time Analysis


• Traffic Count Analysis


• Turning-Movement Counts


• Model Calibration


• Model Validation


• Sensitivity Testing


• Highway Capacity Manual


• HCM


• Signal Timing Sheets


• Controller Phasing


• Lane Configuration Analysis


• Lane-Use Analysis


• Turn Restriction Analysis


• Channelization Analysis


• Geometric Improvement Analysis


• Queue Spillback Analysis


• Traffic Bottleneck Analysis


• Corridor Performance Analysis


• ATSPM Awareness


• High-Resolution Signal Data


• Probe Travel-Time Data


• Adaptive Signal Systems


• Vissim Awareness


• HCS


• SIDRA


• ArcGIS


• Microsoft Excel


• Technical Reporting


• Model Version Control


• Quality Assurance


• Before-and-After Analysis

Why Join Us

This role offers the opportunity to influence real traffic operations across Riyadh by turning field data into practical, testable engineering solutions before changes reach the road network. The position provides valuable exposure to intersection optimization, corridor progression, live signal operations, traffic modeling, and multidisciplinary urban mobility planning. As Riyadh continues investing in intelligent transportation and network performance improvement, strong Synchro and SimTraffic expertise offers a solid pathway toward senior traffic operations, signal optimization, and transportation systems roles.

About the Company

Parsons Corporation delivers engineering, transportation, infrastructure, program management, and technology solutions for major projects worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, Parsons supports urban mobility, transportation, infrastructure, traffic engineering, and intelligent systems programs through multidisciplinary planning, modeling, design, operations, and project delivery expertise.