Engineer I - III (Road Design Engineer)

Sdsoybean; Sioux Falls (SD); Remote; USD 45,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental and Vision

Retirement benefits

Paid leave

Holidays

Job summary

South Dakota Department of Transportation is seeking a Road Design Engineer to design and assemble highway plans using CAD and design software. The role involves public meetings, project scoping, and coordination with CAD Technicians and landowners to deliver cost-effective, constructible designs.

The ideal candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, with EIT/PE status desirable, and strong communication and teamwork skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field required.
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred or obtainable.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities essential.

Responsibilities

• Design and assemble plans for highway projects using CAD and design software.
• Attend public meetings and assist with project scoping.
• Coordinate with CAD Technicians and landowners to ensure constructible designs.

Skills

Communication

Customer service

Organization

Teamwork

Planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

CAD

Civil design software

Job description

32.85 - 45.45 US per hour

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)
• 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.