Engineer of Structures (Dept of Public Works)

City of Detroit; Michigan; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Detroit, Dept of Public Works, is seeking an Engineer of Structures responsible for oversight of inspection, design and construction of bridges and related assets, including retaining walls, with emphasis on maintaining records in MiBridge.

The role leads a team of engineers and drafting technicians, coordinates staffing, prepares plans and specifications for rehab or replacement, and interfaces with other city departments, utilities, and vendors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil/structural engineering or related field.
• Five years of progressive design/construction experience on bridges/structures; 2+ years supervisory and field inspection.
• MDOT project engineering experience on multiple bridges, retaining walls, and ADA ramp construction.

Responsibilities

• Oversee inspection, design and construction of bridges and structures.
• Supervise engineers and drafting technicians.
• Assign, inspect and monitor work in progress and on completion.
• Ensure procedures for inspection, plans, and specs are followed and maintain records in MiBridge.
• Coordinate staffing with Field Engineer for inspectors, technicians, and surveyors.
• Prepare engineering reports and establish records and control systems.
• Represent the division in meetings with other City departments and utilities.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil/structural engineering

Advanced training in engineering management or public works administration

Job description

Engineer of Structures

Dept of Public Works

Under general supervision, is responsible for oversight of the inspection, design and construction of bridges, and structures, and the maintenance of related records.

• Supervise the activities of a group of subordinate engineers and drafting technicians.
• Assign, inspect, and monitor work in progress and upon completion.
• Ensure that procedures are properly performed in the inspection of bridges and structures, including retaining walls, for all assigned city assets and that proper reporting is maintained in the States MiBridge system.
• Ensure that load ratings are current and complete for all city bridges.
• Ensure that procedures are properly performed in the preparation of plans and specifications for bridge and structure rehabilitation, repair and replacement.
• Ensure that procedures are properly performed related to the construction engineering services associated with in-house managed construction projects on bridges and structures.
• Coordinate with the Field Engineer on appropriate project staffing for inspectors, testing technicians, and surveyors in support of project design and construction for bridges and structures.
• Perform studies of materials, sources of supply, and equipment and methods used for bridges and structures.
• Define problems, provide direction to subordinate staff, review alternate solutions and plans to determine which is the most appropriate, and recommend modifications as required.
• Establish standards and guidelines for design staff, inspectors, and contractors as well as initiate and direct staff training.
• Investigate the cost of various types of safety zones and hauling solid waste.
• Estimate the personnel, materials, time requirements, and cost of proposed work.
• Confer with officials of other City departments, private concerns, and public utilities to secure the necessary cooperation and coordination to complete street and alley enhancements.
• Arrange securing of personnel, material, and supplies required.
• Establish record and control systems and prepare engineering reports.
• Represent the division in discussions or conferences with employee organizations and at conferences on engineering matters.

Qualifications (required):

• Bachelor’s degree with a specialization in civil/structural engineering or a related field of study.
• Five (5) years of progressive experience in the design and construction of bridges and structures, two (2) years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity and include surveying and field inspection work.
• Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Project Engineering experience on multiple projects of varying complexity and disciplines such as bridges, retaining walls and structures, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramp construction.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be substituted to meet the education and experience requirements of this position.

Qualifications (preferred):

Advanced training in engineering management or public works administration.

Evaluation Plan

• Interview:70%
• Evaluation of Training, Experience &Personal Qualifications:30%
• Total of Interview and Evaluation T.E.P:100%

Additional points may be awarded for:

• Veteran Points: 0 – 15 points
• Detroit Residency Credit: 15 point

LRD: 04-14-2026