Design-Build Technical Director - Long Span and Complex Bridges

Jacobs; Fargo (ND); Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and welfare benefits

401(k) plan

Stock purchase program

Unlimited paid time off

7 holidays

Caregiver leave

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a senior bridge engineer to lead long-span and complex bridge projects across the Americas. You will engage clients, perform advanced structural planning and design, guide design teams, and provide construction support to ensure schedule and budget adherence.

The role requires a PE license, 15+ years of experience, and proficiency with major structural software. Hybrid work across U.S. offices is supported, with growth through business development and mentoring.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in structural engineering or a related discipline.
• PE License with ability to obtain license in multiple states, SE License is desirable
• A minimum of fifteen years of demonstrated professional experience including Engineer of Record or Lead Engineer in charge of final design, preparation of construction documents and construction support services.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas of technical specialism: Cable-stayed bridges, Arch bridges, Segmental bridges, In-water foundations, Erection engineering of cable-stayed bridges, Rehabilitation of complex steel bridges, Performance based seismic design of bridges, Proficient with Design-Build and other forms of alternative delivery (e.g. Progressive Design/Build, P3 and CM/GC project delivery).
• Proven background of technical leadership on complex bridges, leading multi-discipline design teams in the development of final plans and specifications for project deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Represent Jacobs’ technical capabilities within your area(s) of technical specialism in assigned locations, markets, and at industry events.
• Serve as a Technical/Task Lead on projects, including for Design-Build projects, and lead staff for engineering analysis, design and development of contract documents of long span and complex bridges. Sign and seal contract documents, as appropriate, ensuring compliance with all applicable codes, standards and regulations.
• Establish work plans and multidisciplinary staffing for bridge projects and assisting on assignment of project personnel. Plan, direct and coordinate staff, often involving multi-office execution.
• Directing and coordinating the activities of Project Engineers, Engineers and Technicians to ensure project progresses on schedule and within prescribed budgets.
• Ensure the overall quality and coordination of the work performed, manage client interfaces as needed, utilize staff efficiently, and uphold the reputation of the team and Jacobs.
• Guide technical best practice and be actively involved with mentoring and upskilling of staff level engineers.
• Serve as a representative of Jacobs at key client or contractor meetings, presentations and public hearings/reviews relative to assigned projects as needed.
• Active involvement with thought leadership including participation on technical committees and submission of papers/presentations to major bridge conferences.
• As a senior technical resource, contribute to business development, client presentations, proposal preparation, estimating project costs, and contract negotiations on major long-span and complex bridge pursuits across the Americas.

Skills

Bridge engineering leadership

Technical leadership

Client engagement

Multi-office coordination

Design-build experience

Education

Master's Degree in structural engineering

PE license (multi-state)

SE license desirable

Tools

Midas

RM Bridge

CSiBridge

LARSA 4D

Sofistik

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

Jacobs is much more than just a traditional engineering company and we’re pushing the limits of what’s possible. We stay ahead to create the new standards our future needs.

Our national bridge team is seeking to expand our long-span and complex bridge practice and to be the engineer of choice for our clients. You will play a key role in positioning our team to win and deliver key long span and complex bridge projects throughout the country and be a vital member of our Transportation market that focuses on both vehicular and rail bridges. When you join us, you’ll serve in a lead technical role on national bridge projects – engaging with our clients, performing complex structural planning, analysis, and design, leading design teams, and providing construction support services on long-span and complex bridge projects across the Americas. You may be required to sign and seal contract documents, as appropriate, ensuring compliance with all applicable codes, standards and regulations. You may also serve as Design Manager on select projects.

We’ll challenge you with growth opportunities, including active engagement with business development, client presentations, proposal preparation, estimating project costs, contract negotiations, and overseeing and ensuring that project quality, schedule, and budget requirements are met – all of which help ensure the successful delivery of the project from beginning to end.

What You’ll Do

• Represent Jacob’s technical capabilities within your area(s) of technical specialism in assigned locations, markets, and at industry events.
• Serve as a Technical/Task Lead on projects, including for Design-Build projects, and lead staff for engineering analysis, design and development of contract documents of long span and complex bridges. Sign and seal contract documents, as appropriate, ensuring compliance with all applicable codes, standards and regulations.
• Establish work plans and multidisciplinary staffing for bridge projects and assisting on assignment of project personnel. Plan, direct and coordinate staff, often involving multi-office execution.
• Directing and coordinating the activities of Project Engineers, Engineers and Technicians to ensure project progresses on schedule and within prescribed budgets.
• Ensure the overall quality and coordination of the work performed, manage client interfaces as needed, utilize staff efficiently, and uphold the reputation of the team and Jacobs.
• Guide technical best practice and be actively involved with mentoring and upskilling of staff level engineers.
• Serve as a representative of Jacobs at key client or contractor meetings, presentations and public hearings/reviews relative to assigned projects as needed.
• Active involvement with thought leadership including participation on technical committees and submission of papers/presentations to major bridge conferences.
• As a senior technical resource, contribute to business development, client presentations, proposal preparation, estimating project costs, and contract negotiations on major long-span and complex bridge pursuits across the Americas.

The final candidate could be located near any Jacobs' office across the US including but not limited to New York, New York, Morristown, NJ, Philadelphia PA, Washington DC, Baltimore, MD, Reston or Richmond, VA, Atlanta, GA, Nashville, TN, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Miami or Orlando, FL, Dallas or Austin, TX, Tempe, AZ, Bellevue, WA, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, CA, Milwaukee, WI, Chicago, IL, Columbus, OH, Denver, CO, Tulsa, OK, Fargo, ND and Albuquerque, NM.

Here’s what you’ll need

• Master’s Degree in structural engineering or a related discipline.
• PE License with ability to obtain license in multiple states, SE License is desirable
• A minimum of fifteen years of demonstrated professional experience including Engineer of Record or Lead Engineer in charge of final design, preparation of construction documents and construction support services.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas of technical specialism
• Cable-stayed bridges
• Arch bridges
• Segmental bridges
• In-water foundations
• Erection engineering of cable-stayed bridges
• Rehabilitation of complex steel bridges
• Performance based seismic design of bridges
• Proficient with Design-Build and other forms of alternative delivery (e.g. Progressive Design/Build, P3 and CM/GC project delivery).
• Proven background of technical leadership on complex bridges, leading multi-discipline design teams in the development of final plans and specifications for project deliverables.
• Project management or design management project delivery experience leading teams through design and construction phases.
• Established professional network with client and contractor community.
• Be a recognized thought leader in the long-span bridge marketplace.
• Solid understanding of and practical experience with a variety of design codes, specifications and procedures for both highway and rail/transit bridge structures.
• Demonstrated proficient knowledge of one or more of the following structural software Midas, RM Bridge, CSiBridge, LARSA 4D, Sofistik.

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $175,000.00 to $300,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Job posted on August 18, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

At Jacobs, we’re partnering across the globe to create the best project outcomes by maximizing the design, digital technology, and support capabilities of our Global Integrated Delivery (GID) teammates. By joining Jacobs, you’ll commit to supporting and engaging with these teams, as we work to build a company like no other.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.