Civil/Transportation EIT

Otak, Inc.; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 67,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Relocation assistance

Health insurance

401(k) retirement match

Paid time off

Commuter allowance

Job summary

Otak, Inc. is seeking an Engineering Designer to apply civil engineering design skills across diverse projects from our Portland, OR, or Vancouver, WA offices.

You will develop design concepts into construction drawings, plans, and specifications for roadways, trails, bridges, and utilities, collaborating with engineers across disciplines. This entry-level role suits an aspiring civil engineer eager to build technical expertise while contributing to concept-to-construction work, with guidance

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from an accredited program.
• 0–2 years of professional civil design experience preferred, with transportation or land development focus.
• EIT certification or FE exam passed required.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Civil 3D, MicroStation/OpenRoads, or similar design software.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate on transportation, active transportation, and infrastructure design projects.
• Assist Project Engineers in preparing construction plans and specifications for roadways, trails, underpasses, bridges, site/civil projects, and utilities.
• Perform civil design calculations, sketching, and technical evaluations for projects.
• Assist in preparing project cost estimates and technical specifications.
• Provide construction-phase support including RFIs, submittals, and field observations.
• Contribute to project delivery from proposal through design and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Civil design exposure

Education

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

EIT certification

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

MicroStation/OpenRoads

Job description

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Otak is seeking an Engineering Designer to apply their design skills across a wide range of civil engineering projects from our Portland, OR, or Vancouver, WA offices, including municipal roadways, soft- and hard-surface trails, underpasses and bridges, site/civil projects, and utility improvements. You’ll work on multidisciplinary projects, using your technical skills and engineering judgment to develop design concepts into construction drawings, plans, and technical specifications.

This position is ideal for an emerging civil engineering professional looking to build their technical expertise while gaining exposure to projects from concept through construction. You’ll collaborate with engineers and other disciplines, contribute to the development of practical and sustainable design solutions, and learn from experienced professionals while taking on increasing design responsibility.

This position may be located in our Portland, OR or Vancouver, WA office.

How You'll Contribute:

• Collaborate with engineering colleagues on transportation, active transportation, and infrastructure design projects and tasks.
• Assist Project Engineers in preparing construction plans and specifications for roadways, soft- and hard-surface trails, underpasses and bridges, site/civil projects in national parks and on university campuses, and utility improvements using AutoCAD Civil 3D and/or MicroStation/OpenRoads.
• Perform civil design calculations, prepare sketches, and complete technical evaluations for projects.
• Assist in preparing project cost estimates and technical specifications.
• Provide construction-phase support, including responding to contractor RFIs, reviewing submittals and as-built drawings, and conducting field observations.
• Contribute to all aspects of project delivery, including proposal development, project setup, drafting, design, quality control, coordination, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

The Strengths You Bring:

• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering or a similar degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of 0-2 years of professional experience, with an emphasis on civil design for transportation infrastructure, active transportation, or land development.
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification or successfully passed Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination is required.
• Demonstrated proficiency with AutoCAD Civil 3D, MicroStation/OpenRoads, or similar design software.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate experience, qualifications, and work location as well as market and business considerations.

Salary Range: $67,000 - $87,000

At our core, we believe that supporting our communities begins with supporting our employees. No matter what stage you’re at in your career, we have a comprehensive total rewards program to enhance your quality of life, help support your family, and assist you in achieving your personal and professional goals. Otak employees enjoy competitive salaries; discretionary performance bonuses; no-cost medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, HRA/HSA; a 401(k)-retirement match; a hybrid work schedule; Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual based on your industry experience rather than your seniority plus 9 paid holidays per year; a commuter allowance (based on your office location); support for your professional registration and/or certification fees; and much more! If you are out of the area and interested in relocating for this opportunity, relocation assistance may be provided.

Why work at Otak?

We’re not just looking for skills and experience, having shared values is just as important! When you work at Otak, you aren’t just joining a firm — you’re joining a community. We believe our best work happens in a culture of collaboration and inclusion, where the expertise of diverse individuals can thrive in a foundation of teamwork. The work environment we create is built on a simple concept: working on interesting projects with interesting people. However, we don’t just believe in cultivating our own community; we’re also committed to enriching the communities around us with smart, creative solutions. We know our employees make an investment in us, so we’re committed to making an investment in them. Seasoned experts and young professionals work together to encourage personal growth and skill development at all experience levels. Plus, we’re expanding — and we’re dedicated to developing an internal infrastructure with the strength and talent to support that growth.

At Otak, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to cultivating a workplace that is inclusive, equitable, and respectful for all. We believe that diverse perspectives enrich our work environment, fuel innovation, and are essential to our collective success.

We are dedicated to maintaining a workplace that is free from discrimination, harassment, and bias. Every individual at Otak is valued, included, and treated with dignity and respect. We do not tolerate discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

All employment decisions, including those related to recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, and termination are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications. We strive to ensure that our practices uphold fairness and equity at every stage of the employment lifecycle.

Our Vision for an Inclusive Workplace

We are committed to creating an environment where:

• Diverse identities are embraced, and differences are valued as a source of strength.
• Every employee feels safe to be their authentic self and contributes meaningfully.
• Unique perspectives are encouraged, and open dialogue is welcomed to foster innovation.
• Curiosity replaces judgment, and respectful engagement is prioritized in all interactions.
• Relationships are built on mutual trust, dignity, and respect, forming the foundation of our workplace culture.

We provide reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities, including pregnant employees, to ensure an accessible and supportive work environment. If you require assistance or accommodations during the application process or in the workplace, please contact Otak’s People Services Department at [e-mail] .

Join us in shaping a more inclusive future!