Bituminous Engineer

State-of-Iow; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Flexible spending account

Life insurance

IPERS retirement program

Optional 401A plan

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Iowa Department of Transportation in Ames is seeking a Transportation Engineer Specialist to serve as our Bituminous Engineer, focusing on asphalt materials, mix design, performance testing, and QC/QA practices. You will support internal teams and industry partners to ensure durable, high-performing pavement statewide.

In this role you will review DOT specs, develop interpretations, and provide field inspections and troubleshooting.

Qualifications

• Professional engineer licensure required; reciprocity within six months if Licensed in other states.
• May require master's degree in civil, chemical, materials, environmental, structural, or transportation engineering; related field.
• Valid driver's license required; travel for project visits or conferences may be occasional.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Asphalt materials

Mix design

Performance testing

QC/QA processes

Field inspections

Data analysis

Technical collaboration

Education

Master's degree in civil/chemical/mat'l/transportation eng or related field

Professional Engineer license

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

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.

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 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 Affrimative 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. 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:

• 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.
• 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.
• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work as a Transportation Engineer.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

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