Engineer I - III (Road Design Engineer)

South Dakota State Government; Pierre (SD); Remote; USD 45,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Well-being program

Employee assistance program

Dental and Vision

Health savings account

Life insurance

Job summary

The South Dakota Department of Transportation seeks a Road Design Engineer to design and assemble plans for cost-effective highway projects using CAD and civil design software. Based in Pierre or Sioux Falls, the role offers a flexible schedule with remote option, generous benefits, and opportunities for advancement; salary ranges from $32.85 to $45.45 hourly depending on qualifications.

Responsibilities include scoping projects, public meetings, design inspections, and directing CAD

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field required.
• Knowledge of civil engineering principles, CAD and design software.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and assemble plans for cost-effective, constructible highway projects using CAD and design software.
• Contribute to scoping of projects and attend public meetings.
• Conduct or assist with design inspections and meetings with landowners.
• Provide day-to-day guidance to CAD Technicians assigned to projects.
• Ensure designs comply with federal, state, and department policies and guidelines.

Skills

Growth mindset

Vision and creativity

Team-oriented attitude

Confident, action-oriented personality

Attention to detail

High ethical standards

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field

Tools

CAD

Civil design software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job ID: 37922

Agency: Department of Transportation / Division of Planning & Engineering / Office of Road Design

Location: Pierre or Sioux Falls

Salary: $32.85-$45.45 Hourly, depending on qualifications

Pay Grade: E1 - E3

Closing Date: 10/26/2026

This is a full-time position with the Department of Transportation. For more information on the Department of Transportation, please visit http://dot.sd.gov .

This position with the SDDOT provides a rewarding career with opportunities for advancement, a flexible work schedule and great benefits. This position allows you to use analytical skills to solve problems while designing safe and effective highway systems. The successful applicant will be an integral member of the Office of Road Design and will be responsible for the design and assembling of plans for cost-effective, constructible highway projects. This includes utilizing CAD and design software to establish horizontal and vertical alignments, cross section templates, modeling the roadway and drainage elements to meet many needs while following Federal, State and Department policies and guidelines. Duties include the diversity of participating in scoping of projects, attending public meetings, conducting or assisting as necessary with design inspections and meetings with landowners; as well as providing day-to-day work direction to CAD Technicians assigned to the project.

This position has the option to be remote.

What You Bring to the SDDOT:

• Growth mindset
• Vision and creativity
• Team-oriented attitude
• Confident, action-oriented personality
• Attention to detail and passion for organization
• Commitment to fostering high ethical standards

What the SDDOT Offers:

• Health insurance (low and high deductible plans which include a $0 premium employee-only coverage plan)
• Well-being program
• Employee assistance program
• Dental and Vision
• Health savings account
• Free basic life insurance policy
• Membership in the South Dakota Retirement System with partial state match
• Paid leave (15 vacation days per year)
• Sick leave (14 days per year)
• Paid family leave (12 weeks for birth and adoption of child, equivalent to 40 hours per week)
• Military leave (15 days per year)
• 11 paid holidays
• Longevity pay
• Semimonthly pay periods
• Eligibility for meal per diems

The total compensation of Hourly Wage + State/Federal Benefits for a typical year for an entry level Road Design Engineer is approximately $91,332.00 annually.

Licenses and Certifications:

Depending on experience level, applicants should possess or obtain Engineer-in-Training status or Professional Engineer license.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

Only applicants with a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field will be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• civil, environmental, and structural engineering principles, practices and theories;
• technical phases of civil engineering such as surveying, hydraulics, materials and design;
• mathematics, physics and chemistry.

Skills to:

• provide excellent communication, customer service and organization;
• use Microsoft Office products, CAD and civil design software.

Ability to:

• read, interpret and evaluate engineering plans and specifications for acceptable engineering practices;
• organize, analyze, calculate, and evaluate available information and draw reasonable conclusions;
• communicate information clearly and concisely;
• effectively plan, organize, and prioritize work activities to meet schedules and deadlines;
• work in a team environment;
• develop positive working relationships.

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

'An Equal Opportunity Employer'