Civil Transportation Engineering Technical Director

TERRA Engineering, Ltd.; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Compensation package

Healthcare benefits

Retirement plan

Hybrid work

Transit reimbursement

Growth opportunities

Job summary

TERRA Engineering, Ltd. is seeking an experienced Senior Engineer to act as a technical advisor and lead design coordination for diverse projects. The role emphasizes ensuring compliance with codes and standards, leading teams, and contributing to business development and strategic growth.

Ideal candidates will hold a PE, have 15+ years of engineering experience, and demonstrate leadership, advanced communication, and mentoring skills across disciplines.

Qualifications

• B.S. engineering from ABET/EAC-accredited program.
• 15+ years of applicable engineering experience.
• PE required; SE required for structural work.
• Additional credentials such as CFM, CPESC, ENV SP or LEED AP preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead design coordination for multi-disciplinary teams.
• Assist in business development and strategic growth efforts.
• Provide guidance on complex technical solutions.
• Perform design calculations and ensure code compliance.
• Approve and certify deliverables as Engineer of Record.
• Mentor staff and participate in performance reviews.
• Develop project concepts and criteria; manage budgets when needed.

Skills

Project management

Communication skills

Public speaking

Mentoring staff

CAD software

Codes & standards

Leadership

Relationship building

Education

ABET-accredited B.S. in Engineering

15+ years of engineering experience

Professional Engineer (PE)

Structural SE (required)

CFM/CPESC/ENV SP/LEED AP (preferred)

Tools

CAD software

Microsoft Suite

Bluebeam

PowerPoint

Job description

Summary/Objective: Serves as technical advisor to the department and multi-disciplinary project teams. Directs and supports the department’s technical operations using advanced and diversified knowledge of engineering principles and practices. Exercises independent initiative and judgement in setting and implementing engineering standards and supports all aspects of a range of projects varying in size and complexity. Leads and supervises design coordination for the team, department, disciplines, and agencies to meet requirements. Oversees Quality Control/Quality Assurance practices and actively contributes to developing and executing business and operational strategies for the department.

Essential Functions

• Contribute to project proposals, client interview preparation, and stakeholder presentations for large, multi-disciplinary and complex projects; lead presentation of TERRA work at conferences and industry events
• Assist the department director in leading business development and other strategic growth efforts; actively participate in industry, networking, and professional organizations events and activities
• Provide input to establish project team and staffing requirements consistent with contractual obligations
• Provide guidance to staff on unusual or complex technical solutions to deliver the design through documentation and detailing
• Develop design concepts, studies, design options, and establish design criteria
• Perform complex analysis and design calculations, document design procedures, and assure design complies with applicable codes and standards
• Conduct Quality Control/Quality Assurance reviews and enforce guidelines
• Approve and certify deliverables as the Engineer of Record
• Provide engineering leadership on large, multi-disciplinary projects, while also overseeing and providing guidance on multiple medium-scale projects as needed
• Assist in resolving project budget or cost constraints with technical objectives
• Work with project managers to resolve project performance issues
• Provide support in resolving technical construction administration issues
• Author project descriptions and resumes to be incorporated into marketing materials
• Develop and maintain trusted relationships with team members, multidisciplinary team members, vendors, and authorities having jurisdiction
• Actively share knowledge, displaying open and timely exchange of significant ideas and information
• Create and enforce the application of TERRA standards and guidelines
• Mentor staff in technical matters and participate in performance reviews as requested
• Participate in the recruitment, interviewing, and candidate selection process
• Provide input on the technical growth strategy of the department
• Perform other duties as required

Education/Experience

• B.S. engineering or related field (ABET/EAC-accredited program)
• 15+ years of applicable engineering experience
• PE required (SE required for Structural)
• Additional credentials preferred (e.g., CFM, CPESC, ENV SP, LEED AP, etc.)

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Demonstrates ability to successfully engage with professionals in a multi-disciplinary environment and communicates effectively and builds relationships and trust internally and externally
• Exercises advanced engineering judgment
• Advanced ability to convey information through effective and timely verbal and written communication
• Demonstrates expertise with computer-aided design software and other software packages typically associated with engineering required
• Highly proficient in general documentation software such as Microsoft Suite, Bluebeam, PowerPoint, etc.
• Demonstrates effective project management skills, effectively leveraging experience and skills to ensure projects are completed on time and on budget
• Advanced public speaking, presentation, and leadership skills
• Proficient in industry and construction practices, methodologies, and best engineering practices and leverages that understanding to lead engineering efforts through all project stages
• Advanced understanding code implementation, jurisdiction review, construction practices, and methodologies
• Ability to influence decisions and people without direct authority
• Able to conduct site visits as needed, may require a valid driver's license
• Effectively maintains office and field health & safety requirements and protocols
• Maintains a work schedule conducive to team collaboration and project-specific requirements

Physical Requirements

• Involves sitting a considerable amount of the time, but requires the ability to conduct field/site visits to inspect work
• May exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force to move objects
• Occasionally lifts and carries up to 25 pounds
• Considerable time is spent at a work station using a computer and using various forms of communication (telephone, email, messaging, etc.)
• Field work includes exposure to outside weather conditions and various environmental conditions depending on the site
• Physical activities include walking and occasional stooping and crouching

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties and/or responsibilities required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time. Please note that sponsorship is not available now or in the future for this position.

About TERRA Engineering

TERRA Engineering, Ltd. was founded by Karen Steingraber and Jamil Bou-Saab in 1992, beginning their journey building strong relationships with clients. In 2000, Senior Vice President George Ghareeb joined the team and began overseeing operations in a then-newly opened office in Peoria, Illinois. Since then, TERRA has continued expanding our reach to broaden our markets and serve additional communities, adding offices in St. Louis (2011), Milwaukee (2013), and Bolingbrook, Illinois (2025). We are proud of our 115+ employees who contribute their talent and skills to TERRA’s success. As we continue to grow, we maintain a strong focus on the development of our team members through mentorship, collaboration, and the continual refining of our collective body of knowledge. At TERRA Engineering, our mission of enhancing communities starts from within.

TERRA Provides

• Competitive compensation packages including bonus program, paid holidays and paid time off
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits
• Retirement plan options with safe harbor match and profit sharing
• Hybrid/Flexible work arrangements for most positions
• Public transportation reimbursement (Chicago-area employees)
• A warm culture that is conducive to growth and professional development
• And more!

In accordance with local law, the estimated salary range is applicable to the position and location associated with this posting. Compensation will vary based upon experience, education, skill level, geographical location, and other compensable factors.
The employment policy of TERRA Engineering, Ltd. is to provide equal opportunity to all persons. Our company, therefore, has made a commitment to equal employment opportunity through a positive and continuing affirmative action program. No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, military and/or veteran status, or any other Federal or State legally protected classes.
TERRA Engineering, Ltd. will recruit, hire, train and promote qualified individuals in all job titles, and ensure that all other personnel actions are administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, military and/or veteran status, or disability in accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, which require affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. TERRA Engineering, Ltd. does not discriminate on the basis of national origin or citizenship status as provided under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

Notice to Third Party Agencies

TERRA does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to TERRA in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where TERRA has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of TERRA and TERRA will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.