Director of Engineering - Bridge

GAI Consultants Inc; Cincinnati (OH); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Relocation assistance

Tuition reimbursement

Licensing and certification support

401(k) with company match

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Job summary

GAI Consultants Inc. is seeking an Engineering Director - Practice Lead for the Ohio Bridge Group. This remote or hybrid role leads and grows the bridge engineering practice within the Ohio Transportation Business Unit, guiding highway bridge design, analysis, load rating, and related structures while shaping client strategy.

The ideal candidate is a licensed P.E. with 14+ years in bridge and transportation projects, strong leadership and communication, and willingness to travel regionally for

Qualifications

• Licensed Professional Engineer with 14+ years of bridge design, analysis, and load rating experience.
• B.S. or M.S. in Engineering.
• Professional Engineer license with reciprocity in multiple states.
• Strong leadership and client interaction skills.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to Ohio bridge projects and the Bridge Engineering Group.
• Lead design and preparation of plans, calculations, and specifications for transportation structures per AASHTO/ODOT.
• Lead analysis and load rating of existing structures and recommend improvements.
• Drive client interaction and business development with ODOT, OTIC, and local governments.
• Mentor engineers and coordinate project tasks within budget and schedule.
• Prepare cost estimates, scope documents, and proposals; assist other managers.
• Assign tasks and coordinate engineering work with staff.
• Monitor quality control and compliance with client requirements.
• Lead project meetings and represent the organization on engineering assignments.
• Participate in site visits and occasional travel.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication skills

Mentoring

Analytical thinking

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Engineering

Professional Engineer (P.E.) license

Job description

Engineering Director - Practice Lead, P.E. Bridge Group / OH

Bridge Engineering / Transportation Structures | Ohio | Remote or Hybrid

Lead and grow GAI Consultants’ Bridge Engineering Group within our Ohio Transportation Business Unit. In this practice leadership role, you will provide management and technical leadership on highway bridges, retaining walls, box culverts, and other transportation structures designed to AASHTO and ODOT requirements, while driving client interaction and business development strategy for specific project opportunities.

We are seeking a licensed Professional Engineer with 14+ years of bridge design, analysis, and load rating experience to serve as technical lead for a growing contract backlog with ODOT, OTIC, and local governments, with additional involvement in regional projects across Indiana, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

At GAI you get direct access to leadership, a defined development program, and the stability of a firm that has been solving infrastructure challenges since 1958, with an expanding Ohio presence and the chance to build a practice faster than you might at a larger national firm.

ODOT & OTIC BACKLOG

PRACTICE LEADERSHIP

SIGN-ON BONUS

What You Will Do

• Provide management and technical leadership to GAI’s Ohio bridge projects and the growing Bridge Engineering Group.
• Lead the design and preparation of plans, calculations, and specifications for transportation structures, including highway bridges, retaining walls, box culverts, and other miscellaneous structures per AASHTO and ODOT requirements.
• Lead the analysis and load rating for existing structures and recommend improvement and strengthening strategies through knowledge and application of appropriate specifications, standards, and design criteria.
• Lead client interaction and business development strategy for specific project opportunities with ODOT, OTIC, and local governments.
• Collaborate with professionals from various departments and disciplines and discuss requirements with clients to execute projects.
• Perform work as part of a team or as a task/project manager, in accordance with project budget and schedule limitations under moderate supervision.
• Prepare engineering cost estimates, scope of work documents, and proposals, and assist other Project/Task Managers with similar duties.
• Assign tasks to technical and non-technical staff and coordinate detailed aspects of engineering work.
• Monitor and enforce compliance with quality control standards and client requirements.
• Mentor direct reports and other engineers and lead project meetings representing the organization on broad aspects of engineering assignments.
• Participate in occasional site visits at construction sites and remote outdoor work environments, with occasional travel to client meetings and possible overnight stays.

Required Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Engineering.
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license, with reciprocity in multiple states.
• 20+ years of bridge and transportation structures experience.
• Broad knowledge of principles and practices in bridge engineering, with the ability to independently evaluate, select, and adapt standard techniques, procedures, and criteria.
• Experience leading tasks and projects of moderately complex scope and developing plans, specifications, and other project documents.
• Ability to apply engineering economics, probability, and statistics to analyze risk in complex engineering problems.
• Advanced oral and written communication skills, including interpretation of complex technical and contractual language.
• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Experience

• Demonstrated ODOT project delivery, including OTIC and local government bridge programs.
• Regional project experience in Indiana, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
• Business development and client management within the Ohio Transportation Market.

Why This Role Stands Out

• A growing backlog. Expanding contract work with ODOT, OTIC, and local governments as GAI grows its Ohio presence.
• Real technical authority. You set the technical direction for bridge design, analysis, and load rating across the practice.
• A team to build. Mentor engineers and shape the growth of GAI’s Ohio Bridge Engineering Group.
• Multi-state reach. Involvement with regional projects in Indiana, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

Location, Travel, and Relocation

Remote and/or hybrid (home or office) schedules are viable options. Office location: State of Ohio. Occasional travel to client meetings and site visits, with possible overnight stays and occasional work in construction and remote outdoor environments.Must be authorized to work in the United States, without sponsorship.

Compensation

Salary range: $180,000 to $210,000 per year, plus a sign-on bonus. This range is a good faith estimate at the time of posting. Actual compensation will depend on factors such as education, licensure, qualifications, relevant experience, and current skills.

Health and Wellness

Medical, dental, and vision coverage; company-paid life insurance; short- and long-term disability; Employee Assistance Program

Time and Flexibility

Remote and/or hybrid schedule options; generous paid time off; seven paid holidays plus one floating holiday; paid parental and adoption leave

Financial and Growth

401(k) with company match; sign-on bonus; performance and development bonuses; relocation assistance; tuition reimbursement; licensing and certification support

Ready to Lead Ohio’s Bridge Practice?

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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