Bridge Project Manager - Guaranteed Sign-On Bonus

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership from day one (ESOP)

401(k) with company match

Health, dental, and vision coverage

Life insurance and disability coverage

Flexible schedules and paid parental/休

Tuition reimbursement and professional

Job summary

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc is seeking a Bridge Project Manager in Houston to lead bridge projects from planning through construction documents. You will manage scope, schedule, and budget, coordinating with clients and internal teams to deliver high‑quality results.

The role emphasizes technical development in bridge design, load rating, and related disciplines, with opportunities to mentor junior engineers and work on diverse DOT and municipal projects.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited BS in Civil or Structural Engineering with four years of relevant design and analysis experience.
• Licensed Professional Engineer in TN or able to obtain within six months, or ten years of practical experience on similar projects.
• Experience managing multi-discipline transportation projects for DOTs, municipalities, or similar public-sector clients.

Responsibilities

• Lead bridge projects—from planning through final construction documents.
• Confirm scope, budget, and deliverables with clients and internal stakeholders.
• Develop staffing plans and man-hour budgets.
• Plan and facilitate project kickoff and coordination meetings and communicate scope, budget, and schedule clearly.
• Monitor performance against scope, schedule, and budget; address risks to quality and finances.
• Coordinate and update resource planning tools and support revenue forecasting and invoicing.
• Prepare QA/QC plans and ensure project documentation is complete and stored.
• Assist in technical development of bridge design and load rating work.
• Utilize OpenBridge, AASHTOWare, and MathCAD to support design and analysis.
• Maintain timely communication with contractors and clients and document key decisions.
• Invest in growth through internal and external training to strengthen bridge engineering and project management skills.

Skills

Project leadership

Budget management

Client communication

Multi-discipline coordination

Education

ABET-accredited BS Civil/Structural Engineering

Tools

OpenBridge

AASHTOWare

MathCAD

Job description

At SSR, we're more than a leading engineering design, consulting, and planning firm—we're a team of owners committed to solving complex projects and delivering innovative solutions for facility and infrastructure challenges. With locations across the U.S. and expertise spanning diverse markets and services, our collaborative approach empowers us to build lasting partnerships with each other, our clients, and our communities.

We believe high performance and a people-first culture go hand in hand. As an owner from day one, our colleagues thrive in an environment that values accountability, celebrates achievement, and supports personal and professional growth. As owners, we take pride in our work and in each other—driving results while fostering a workplace where everyone feels seen, supported, and inspired.

Want to hear directly from our team? Visit http://www.ssr-inc.com/life-at-ssr and explore our culture on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Location Open To: Nashville, Atlanta, Memphis, Birmingham, Houston, Dallas, and Tampa

Role Summary

The Bridge Project Manager duties include planning and executing a specific project plan, delivering quality products and services to the client in a timely manner, managing project financials, and serving as the primary contact between the SSR project team and the client. This position is ideal for Bridge Engineers who have the desire to lead and broaden their expertise through projects like bridge replacements, bridge repairs, retaining wall designs, and load ratings. It offers the opportunity to elevate impact by serving a diverse range of clients, such as DOTs, municipalities, and private entities.

What You’ll Do

In this role, you will own project delivery from planning through construction documents while guiding teams and clients to successful outcomes.

• Lead bridge projects—from replacements and repairs to retaining wall designs and load ratings—from initial planning through final construction documents.
• Confirm project scope, requirements, and deliverables with clients and internal stakeholders, partnering with the Client Relationship Manager (CRM), Department Head, Operations Director, and Senior Project Manager as needed.
• Develop proposal letters, project staffing plans, and discipline work plans that translate into realistic man-hour budgets and schedules.
• Plan and facilitate project kick‑off and regular coordination meetings, clearly communicating scope, budget, schedule, client standards, and expectations to the design team.
• Monitor project performance against scope, schedule, and budget; proactively identify and address risks to quality, schedule, and financial goals.
• Coordinate and update resource planning tools (e.g., eResource), track profit variance, and support accurate monthly revenue forecasting, invoicing, and accounts receivable follow‑up.
• Prepare and implement proactive project‑specific QA/QC plans and ensure project documentation is complete, accurate, and properly stored.
• Assist in the technical development of bridge design, repair, and retaining wall projects, including design approaches, concepts, and load ratings.
• Utilize industry software such as OpenBridge, AASHTOWare, and MathCAD to support discipline design and analysis.
• Maintain timely, clear communication with contractors and clients, including responding efficiently to requests for information and documenting key decisions and issues.
• Invest in your growth by actively participating in internal and external training to strengthen both technical bridge engineering and project management skills.

Who We’re Looking For:

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering from an ABET accredited college with four years of relevant experience in discipline design and analysis
• Registered Professional Engineer in the state of TN or ability obtain license within six months of hire OR ten years of practical experience on similar projects

Preferred Qualifications:

• Six or more years of progressive bridge engineering experience, including design and analysis for bridge replacements, repairs, and retaining structures.
• Experience managing multi-discipline transportation projects for DOTs, municipalities, or similar public‑sector clients.
• Proficiency with OpenBridge, AASHTOWare, and MathCAD in bridge design and load rating workflows.
• Experience developing and managing project budgets, revenue projections, and fees for additional services.
• Demonstrated ability to lead project teams, delegate effectively, and build strong, trust‑based relationships with clients and partners.
• Strong presentation, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to facilitate meetings and adapt messaging to different audiences.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a deadline‑driven environment.
• Commitment to collaborative learning, constructive feedback, and continuous improvement, including mentoring early‑career engineers.

What We Offer

• 100% Employee‑Owned—Ownership from day one with immediate ESOP vesting.
• Retirement Savings—401(k) with immediate vesting and a generous company match.
• Health & Wellness—Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus company‑funded HSA contributions for HDHP plans.
• Company‑Paid Protection—Life insurance, AD&D, and short and long term disability at no cost to you.
• Work‑Life Balance—Flexible schedules, paid parental leave, generous PTO, and paid company holidays.
• Career Growth—Tuition reimbursement and ongoing professional development support.

SSR is an Equal Opportunity / Affinity Action Employer

EEO Disabled/Veterans

This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.

Recruiters or staffing agencies: SSR is not obligated to compensate any external recruiter or search firm who presents a candidate, their resume, or profile to an SSR employee without 1) a current, fully executed agreement on file and 2) being assigned to the open position via HR

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.