Bridge Engineer

HDR; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 86,000 - 147,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid time away

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in San Diego seeks a Bridge Engineer to create innovative designs and solutions for various infrastructure projects. The role requires a bachelor's degree, relevant engineering experience, and a professional engineering license. You will mentor junior staff, prepare bridge designs under Caltrans guidelines, and work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams. A comprehensive benefits package includes health insurance, retirement plans, and performance bonuses. Expected compensation is between $86,000 and $147,000 based on experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering field.
• Minimum 3 years experience in bridge design.
• Professional engineering license required.
• Strong knowledge of structural analysis programs.

Responsibilities

• Prepare bridge designs following Caltrans PS&E process.
• Develop structural details using specialized design software.
• Oversight and mentoring of junior engineers.
• Conduct design calculations and specifications reviews.

Skills

Bridge design experience

Team collaboration

Excellent communication skills

Familiarity with engineering software

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree in Structural Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Bluebeam Revu

LEAP Bridge Enterprise

CSiBridge

Job description

HDR employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected. The culture fosters inclusion and empowers everyone to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. HDR believes transportation is foundational to connected, thriving communities and works to shape systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. This isn’t just a job; it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. HDR is employee-owned, which underpins our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.

Overview

As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods. From designing highways and bridges to advancing transit, rail, aviation, ports and marine infrastructure, your work supports economic vitality, public safety, sustainability and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental scientists, economists, management consultants and specialists to solve mobility challenges with innovation and technical excellence.

Responsibilities

• Prepare Bridge designs following Caltrans PS&E process.
• Work on projects that typically include bridge (steel plate girder, prestress concrete, segmental and cable) box culvert, and interchange design for highway and railway projects.
• Select standard bridge engineering/design procedures, develop structural details using specialized design and analysis software, perform structural load calculations, and assist with geometric layout and quantity development.
• Review, assign work and/or check design calculations, estimates, and specifications produced by junior engineers and EITs.
• Mentor junior staff.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Structural Engineering.
• A minimum of 3 years' experience in bridge design.
• Experience working with Caltrans District 7, 8, 11, or 12.
• MS in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• Experience with Caltrans Bridge Design Manuals and Seismic Design Criteria (SDC).

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Previous experience in bridge design.
• Professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered (e.g., PE or P.Eng).
• Familiarity with Bluebeam Revu and engineering software packages such as LEAP Bridge Enterprise, FB-MultiPier, LPile, AASHTOWare BrR, midas Civil, MDX, SAP2000, CSiBridge, RM Bridge, spColumn, STLBridgeLRFD, or STLBridge.
• Knowledge of ADINA, LUSAS, Bentley OpenBridge Designer/OpenBridge Modeler and/or Autodesk Infraworks/Civil3D.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, MicroStation, AutoCAD, MathCAD, LARSA, Prestress Concrete Design.
• Experience using structural analysis programs and bridge design software.
• Experience managing junior staff.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a team environment.
• Active participation in our employee-owned culture.

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other’s life experiences to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, builds organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day. Our eight Employee Network Groups help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, including medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position is $86,000 - $147,000 and depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles may be eligible for limited benefits.)

Note: This job posting is for United States locations. Primary location: San Diego, CA; other locations: Irvine, Los Angeles, Long Beach. Industry: Bridges. Schedule: Full-time. Employee Status: Regular. Business Class: Bridges and Structures.

Job Posting: Jan 29, 2026. HDR is committed to the principles of employment equity and is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories.