Bridge Planning and Hydraulics Engineer

Minnesota Department of Transportation; Oakdale (MN); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12 paid holidays

29 vacation days

13 sick days

Pension plan

Life insurance

Telework option

Job summary

Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) seeks a senior leader to manage Bridge Program Planning and Preliminary Design, Hydraulics, Bridge Cost Estimating, Design-Build, Scoping, and Consultant Contracting. The role oversees the Bridge Priority Preservation Program and supports TPIC and related programs including APP, ensuring alignment with future needs and multimodal planning.

The position provides managerial authority over human, fiscal, and operational resources, coordinates with

Qualifications

• Registration as a Professional Engineer with MnBoard AND five years post-registration experience.
• Three years at Engineer Principal level (or equivalent).
• Experience leading planning and delivery of engineering programs with large budgets.
• Strong collaboration with internal and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Provide statewide leadership and management for bridge programs and design.
• Coordinate office resources and liaison with Districts and Local Agencies.
• Participate in planning committees (SMTP, MnSHIP, MPLT-P, TAMP) to influence investments.
• Lead program accountability to meet bridge-related performance targets.

Skills

Leadership & Management

Fiscal & HR Management

Technical planning & delivery

Communications & stakeholder relations

Education

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Job description

This position provides statewide leadership and management for Bridge Program Planning and Preliminary Design, Hydraulics, Bridge Cost Estimating, Design-Build, Scoping, and Consultant Contracting. The role also oversees the Bridge Priority Preservation Program and supports management of the Transportation Program and Investment Committee (TPIC) and related programs, including Advanced Preservation Projects (APP). The position ensures transportation planning is integrated into investment and program development, aligning decisions with future needs, system performance, multimodal considerations, and established bridge and planning standards.

The position has managerial authority over human, fiscal, and operational resources to ensure effective delivery of all assigned programs. As part of the Bridge Management Team, this role coordinates office resources and serves as a primary liaison to Districts and Local Agencies, ensuring consistent application of program policies and guidelines.

In addition, the position provides leadership to state and Division/District Program Delivery units through participation in the Pre-Construction Engineers Group and TPIC, supporting efficient completion of project programs. It contributes to investment policy and project development through active participation in planning committees including SMTP, MnSHIP, MPLT-P, and TAMP. The position also leads the development and working with Districts for program accountability to meet bridge related performance targets.

Why MnDOT?

We offer excellent employee benefits, such as low-cost health and dental insurance, and affordable dependent coverage. Other benefits include:

• 12 paid holidays per year
• Earn up to 29 paid vacation days a year
• Earn 13 days paid sick time
• Defined pension plan
• Paid life insurance
• Some teleworking may be available

Minimum Qualifications:

Registration as a Professional Engineer with the Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geosciences, and Interior Design (AELSLAGID) AND five years of post-registration experience with three years at the Engineer Principal level (or equivalent).

If you meet the above requirements, you must provide a cover letter that clearly summarizes your experience in the areas listed below. Attach your cover letter AND resume to your online application. Applications that are missing the required summary will not be considered.

• Leadership and Management: Demonstrated ability to lead and manage the planning and delivery of engineering programs with large dollar volumes that directly affect the public.
• Fiscal and Human Resources Management: Experience managing fiscal and human resources for a multi-disciplined section. This includes experience with large and complex budgets and experience supervising staff including hiring, assigning, and evaluating work, promoting, disciplining, and training staff (provide number of staff and types of positions supervised).
• Technical: Experience in and knowledge of MnDOT's planning and delivery process for project and program delivery, highlighting specific bridge project experience.
• Communications/Human Relations: Demonstrated ability to collaborate with a wide variety of stakeholders; and experience building and maintaining effective relationships with internal and external partners.

11/16/2026

Contact for Additional Information:

Laura Saari, MnDOT Recruitment Specialist

[e-mail]