Bridge Team Leader

Gannett Fleming; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 125,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Wellness programs

Parental leave

Pet insurance

401(k)

PTO

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development

Incentive compensation

Job summary

GFT, a leading structural engineering firm, seeks a Bridge Team Leader to guide the Chicago/Schaumburg bridge design effort. The role blends hands-on design with team leadership in a hybrid office setting, with regular in-person collaboration at Chicago or Schaumburg, IL.

You will direct staffing, budgets, and project delivery for transportation structures, ensuring compliance with AASHTO LRFD and AREMA. The position emphasizes mentoring, client coordination, and business development, with

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited Bachelor's/Master's in Civil/Structural Engineering.
• Minimum 8 years of professional bridge design experience.
• Licensed Professional Engineer in Illinois.
• Knowledge of AASHTO LRFD and AREMA.
• Experience with MDX, OpenBridge, LARSA, MicroStation, and Mathcad.

Responsibilities

• Lead a Bridge Team in the Chicago or Schaumburg Office.
• Staffing, mentoring, and day-to-day team tasks.
• Prepare annual budgets for team and office expenses.
• Participate in recruiting and hiring for staff.
• Review designs for code compliance and client requirements.
• Coordinate with project stakeholders on schedule and scope.
• Develop proposals and support business development.

Skills

Bridge design

Team leadership

Budgeting

Staff mentoring

Travel willingness

Education

ABET-accredited Civil/Structural Engineering degree

Professional Engineer license in Illinois

8+ years bridge design experience

Tools

MDX

OpenBridge

LARSA

MicroStation

Mathcad

Job description

What You Will Do:

GFT is seeking a Bridge Team Leader to join our Transportation Team in the Chicagoland Area! This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at our Chicago or Schaumburg, IL office.

Working on the transportation team at GFT offers the opportunity to engage in transformative projects that enhance transportation infrastructure and improve community connectivity. Whether working on highways and bridges or traffic engineering, our team excels in resilient, sustainable design and construction, delivering innovative solutions that address the complexities of modern, multimodal roadway systems and ensure safe, efficient, and reliable travel for all.

Explore some of our signature transportation projects here.

What you’ll be challenged to do:

The ideal candidate will have experience in bridge design, rehabilitation, and inspections and must have an interest in learning and working on diverse project assignments which may include highway bridges, freight and passenger rail structures, and miscellaneous structural assignments. This person is able and willing to travel to work in other offices is required. Knowledge of bridge engineering requirements (AASHTO LRFD and/or AREMA) is critical. Proven ability to work in a team environment and share experience and expertise with teammates is ideal.

In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Lead a Bridge Team in the Chicago or Schaumburg Office. This would include staffing plans, mentoring staff, and day-to-day tasks to manage the Bridge Team.
• Perform personnel duties for the Bridge Team, such as setting performance evaluation review goals, evaluations, providing feedback, training, recommending promotions, raises, and general supervisor responsibilities.
• Prepare an annual budget for team and office expenses that include personnel utilization, training, licensing, organization memberships, continuing education, inspection equipment, etc.
• Participate in the recruiting and hiring process for adding new staff.
• Prepares and directs structural design and plan preparation of structural drawings.
• Plans and develops engineering projects with unique problems. This involves exploration of subject area, definition of scope and selection of problems for investigation, and development of novel concepts and approaches.
• Organizes and develops a project team to execute specific phases or aspects of a project such as technical studies, project design, preparation of specifications and technical plans, and project inspection. Must be able to delegate.
• Reviews project design for general compliance with engineering principles, company standards, and customer contract requirements, and related specifications.
• Coordinates activities concerned with technical developments, scheduling, and staffing, resolving engineering design problems.
• Evaluates and approves design changes, specifications, and drawing releases.
• Maintains liaison with individuals and units within or outside the organization with responsibility for acting independently on technical matters pertaining to the field.
• Develop and present proposals to clients.
• Manage workloads and any changes in project schedule or scope or additional services.
• Plans and executes project meetings. May negotiate a difficult project issue with the client, such as scope changes or schedule acceleration.
• Assures the project meets quality control and quality assurance guidelines.
• Assist with business development strategies for clients, projects, and organizations.
• Maintain professional, technical, and supervisory skills by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
• Limited national travel.

Education | Experience:

What you will bring to our firm:

• Bachelor's and/or Master's Degree in Civil and/or Structural Engineering with an emphasis in structures from an ABET-accredited university or college.
• A minimum of 8 years' professional bridge design experience.
• Licensed Professional Engineer in Illinois
• Experience in new bridge design, bridge rehabilitation, load ratings and/or inspection of bridges.
• Working knowledge of bridge engineering codes (AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications and AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering)
• Experience with MDX, OpenBridge, LARSA (or other design/modeling software), MicroStation, and Mathcad

What we prefer you will bring:

• A Structural Engineer license in Illinois is preferred.
• A Master's degree in Civil or Structural Engineer is preferred.
• IDOT/Tollway bridge design experience, rail bridge design is preferred.
• Inspection experience and NHI inspection certification is preferred.

Compensation:

The salary range for this role is $125,000 - $200,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

Featured Benefits:

• Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

Company Overview:

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships - that's why we're the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry's brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century's experience, together we're building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.

GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans' status or other characteristics protected by law.

Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.

Location:Chicago or Schaumburg, IL
Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Employment Status: Full-Time

GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.

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