Bituminous Engineer

State of Iowa; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & dental benefits

IPERS retirement

401A plan

Paid time off (PTO) & holidays

Employee discounts

Job summary

Iowa Department of Transportation seeks a Transportation Engineer Specialist to serve as Bituminous Engineer in Ames. You will lead asphalt materials expertise, support QC/QA, and engage with industry partners to advance pavement performance. A PE license and driver’s license are required, with in-person work in Ames and some travel.

Role emphasizes collaboration with internal teams and external stakeholders to improve safety, durability, and innovation in Iowa’s flexible pavement systems.

Qualifications

• Professional engineer licensure required.
• Two years of full-time transportation/civil engineering experience.
• PE licensure + 1 year exp + master's in related field may apply as alternative.

Responsibilities

• Lead statewide asphalt materials expertise, mix design, and QC/QA.
• Review and interpret DOT specifications to ensure quality pavement.
• Provide field support through inspections and troubleshooting.
• Manage databases and software for mix design review and QC data analysis.
• Collaborate with industry, contractors, suppliers, and DOT teams to address issues and provide training.

Skills

Professional Engineer license

Driver's license

Education

Master's degree in civil/ transportation engineering

Job description

Iowa Department of Transportation’s Mission is Making Lives Better Through Transportation. To accomplish our Mission, the person selected for this position will demonstrate actions and behaviors guided by the Iowa Department of Transportation’s five CORE values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception.

Location: Ames

Shift Requirements: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (flexible schedule option), In-person with option for partial telework schedule. Occasional travel and overnights for project visits or conferences.

The Construction and Materials Bureau is looking for a Transportation Engineer Specialist to serve as our Bituminous Engineer, a key role focused on advancing the quality, performance, and innovation of Iowa’s flexible pavement systems. In this position, you’ll be a trusted technical expert supporting internal teams and industry partners to ensure that asphalt materials, testing processes, and specifications result in safe, durable, and high-performing infrastructure across the state.

As a Bituminous Engineer, your key duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Lead statewide technical expertise in asphalt materials, mix design, performance testing, and QC/QA processes.
• Review, develop, and interpret DOT specifications and IMs to support consistent, high-quality pavement construction across Iowa.
• Provide field-focused technical support through project inspections, troubleshooting material issues, and recommending corrective actions.
• Manage databases and software systems that support mix design review, QC/QA data analysis, and performance monitoring.
• Partner with industry associations, contractors, suppliers, and DOT teams to address technical issues, advance best practices, and deliver training.

Special requirements:

• Possess & maintain a Professional Engineers license in the State of Iowa (new employees must gain reciprocity within six months of hire if registered in other states).
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license

As a State of Iowa employee, you will be eligible for the following benefits:

• Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance
• Insurance benefits start the first month following 30 days of employment and costs can be reviewed here.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Paid time off effective immediately - biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match
• Optional 401A plan with employer contributions.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial).

We encourage you to view more about the State of Iowa Employee benefits and costs at the State of Iowa Employee Benefits Website!

The Iowa Department of Transportation is proud to be a partner with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Through this partnership, DOT engineers are granted membership at a largely discounted price, as well as discounts for conferences and continuing education through the ASCE. We are excited to offer this benefit and to have you join this partnership with us! If you're interested in learning more about this benefit, please visit https://www.asce.org/membership.

The Iowa Department of Transportation is an equal-opportunity employer. If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing any screening, interviewing, pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please direct your request to the Affirmitive Action & Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/EEO) Officer at [e-mail]

Reasonable accommodation such as interpreter, translator, written materials, modified equipment/devices, ADA access, etc. This does not include scheduling needs.

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify

a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees to ensure authorization to work in the United States. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

• 1) All of the following (a and b):
  • a. Licensure as a professional engineer; and
  • b. Two years of full-time professional work experience in transportation engineering or civil engineering.
• 2) All of the following (a, b, and c):
  • a. Licensure as a professional engineer; and
  • b. One year of full-time professional work experience in transportation engineering or civil engineering; and
  • c. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in chemical, civil, construction, environmental, materials, structural, or transportation engineering; engineering management; or a field closely related to transportation engineering.
• 3) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work as a Transportation Engineer.

Prior to appointment, applicants must possess active licensure as a professional engineer by the Iowa Engineering & Land Surveying Examining Board.