Engineer I - III (Structural Engineer)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Paid leave and holidays

Job summary

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) seeks a Structural Engineer to design, review, and prepare plans for highway structures and bridges. You will perform design calculations, coordinate site investigations, and ensure plans meet safety and project requirements.

The role involves office work with some travel for inspections, meetings, and training. Applicants should hold a BS in Civil/Structural Engineering, with FE/PE eligibility or licensure preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Civil or Structural Engineering is required.
• Professional registration (FE/PE) or eligibility preferred.
• Experience with highway structure design and plan preparation is desired.

Responsibilities

• Develop and review highway structure layouts and plans.
• Perform design checks, load rating calculations, and quantity estimates.
• Review construction plans and provide feedback to designers.

Skills

OpenBridge Modeler

CAD software

Microsoft Office

Engineering communication

Load calculations

Education

BS in Civil/Structural Engineering

Tools

AASHTOWARE BrD

Mathcad Prime

Eriksson Culvert

STAAD Pro Connect

Job description

32.85 - 45.45 US per hour

Description

Job ID: 38140
Agency: Department of Transportation / Division of Planning & Engineering / Bridge Design
Location: Pierre or Sioux Falls
Salary: $32.85 - $45.45 per hour, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: E1 - E3
Closing Date: 10/30/2026

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

Introduction:
Ready for a rewarding career that provides exciting and meaningful work? Looking for a place that values innovation and teamwork? In need of schedules and benefits that make it possible to both support and enjoy your family?

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) has a perfect opportunity for you as a Structural Engineer!

Join a team dedicated to providing better lives through better transportation. As a Structural Engineer with the South Dakota Department of Transportation Office of Bridge Design, you will work with highway structures, ensuring safe and efficient structures are available to the traveling public now and into the future. This position designs and prepares plans for highway structure projects.

This position is primarily located in an office environment with a flexible work schedule available. Some in-state travel is required for site inspections, structure construction inspections, public meetings, etc. with occasional overnight stays as necessary for long distance and/or multi-day work trips. Must be able to physically traverse natural and constructed terrain in the field around structure sites to perform inspections.

What You Bring to the SDDOT:

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

What the SDDOT Offers:

• Health insurance (zero-cost premium plan, low and high deductible plans, and single and family plans
• Employee assistance program
• Dental, Vision and 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

Duties and Responsibilities:
This position assists in plan preparation for highway structure projects. The duties of a Structural Engineer include, but are not limited to, developing and reviewing structure layouts; participating in site investigations; performing structural design, design check, quantity, and load rating calculations; reviewing plans for highway and structure construction; providing review comments to designers and plans preparers; and ensuring that review comments are incorporated into construction plans.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• civil andstructural engineering principles, practices and theories;
• familiarity with structural engineering design software;
• basic principles and terminology of computer operation.

Skill to:

• effectively utilize Bentley Open Bridge Modeler or similar computer aided drafting (CAD) software, Microsoft Office products, AASHTOWARE Bridge Design and Rating (BrDR), Mathcad Prime, Eriksson Culvert, STAAD Pro Connect, mathematically calculate structure material quantities;
• communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

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.

Position Requirements:
Only applicants with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering or Structural Engineering will be considered.

Qualifications of a successful applicant will determine the engineering classification level assigned. Salary and position location will be set depending on qualifications and experience. There will be a period of training in Pierre prior to any opportunity to relocate to Sioux Falls. Also, a candidate with significant experience and 6 months in this position may be allowed to work remotely at a 4:1 ratio working in the office.

Applicants should possess or be eligible to obtain an Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) or Professional Engineer (PE) license.

Position location is negotiable and has the option to be remote.

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

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.