Engineering Assistant I/II

Texas Department of Transportation; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 51,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement Plans

Alternative and/or Flexible Work Sched

Paid Leave and Holidays

Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full‑

Job summary

Texas Department of Transportation in Fort Worth, TX seeks an Engineering Assistant I/II to gain hands-on experience in transportation engineering. The program supports FE/PE exams and offers rotation through construction, roadway design, and maintenance with mentoring from licensed engineers.

Participants will engage in real projects serving the traveling public, with opportunities for career development and tuition assistance.

Qualifications

• Engineering Assistants pursue professional engineering licensing through training and exams.
• Work involves rotation, training, and continuing education across design, construction, inspection, maintenance.
• Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent.
• Mandatory Safety Impact Certificate for this role.

Responsibilities

• Actively prepares for professional engineering licensing and maintains required documentation.
• Applies engineering principles to transportation-related activities.
• Collects engineering data at project sites and assists in plan preparation.
• Performs engineering calculations and drafting/design work.
• Participates in career development and training under the EACDP.

Skills

Engineering fundamentals

Transportation design

Data collection

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Safety Impact Certificate

Tools

CAD/ drafting software

Job description

Job Description - Engineering Assistant I/II (2602142)

Job Description

Engineering Assistant I/II - (2602142)

Position Information

The TxDOT Fort Worth District is looking for one (1) motivated individual to join our Engineering Assistant Program and begin building a meaningful career in transportation engineering.

This program is designed to provide hands‑on experience in key areas such as construction, roadway design, and maintenance while helping Engineering Assistants develop the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a Professional Engineer license. Participants will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced engineers, project managers, inspectors, and technical staff on real projects that directly serve the traveling public.

The program also provides training and support for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and Professional Engineering (PE) exams, along with continued opportunities for career development and professional growth. If you are driven, eager to learn, and interested in being part of a strong team that values training, development, and public service, we encourage you to apply and begin your career with the TxDOT Fort Worth District.

NOTE: All employees classified as Engineering Assistants are required to participate in the Engineering Assistant Career Development Program (EACDP).

At TxDOT we value employee work‑life balance. In keeping with our commitment to this value, our employees benefit from a wide array of programs and activities that include flexed and compressed work schedules, wellness leave incentive, in‑house wellness center, career development programs, tuition assistance, and various other benefits.

Work Location: 1710 W. US 380, Decatur, TX 76234

Salary/Grade: Engineering Assistant I: B20, $51,158 - $81,351; Engineering Assistant II: B21, $54,278 - $87,046

Minimum Salary

51,158.00

Maximum Salary

87,046.00

Anticipated Starting Salary

ET I - $4,263.00; ET II - $4,470.00

Pay Basis

Yearly

Work Locations

Ft Worth District Headquarters 2501 SOUTHWEST LOOP 820 Fort Worth 76133

Travel

Yes, 5 % of the Time

Shift

Day; Job Shift Details: 40

Location Flexibility

Onsite

Benefits and Perks

• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package

To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)

Performs engineering work. Work involves job rotation, training and continuing education in design, construction, construction inspection, maintenance, surveying, environmental and/or transportation operations‑related activities with the intent to actively pursue engineering licensing/registration through appropriate training and exams. Design activity is supervised by a licensed professional engineer who has authority for final approval of all projects. Work requires contact with local governmental representatives, engineering contractors and private entities. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

NOTE: All employees classified as Engineering Assistants are required to participate in the Engineering Assistant Career Development program. Participation in the Engineering Assistant Career Development Program (EACDP) requires that employees sign a Program Agreement, which outlines employee responsibilities and service time commitment.

Engineering Assistant I Essential Duties

• Actively prepares for professional engineering licensing/registration through appropriate training and exams and completion/maintenance of required documentation.
• Applies engineering principles, methods, and techniques to a wide variety of transportation‑related activities.
• Collects engineering data at project sites.
• Participates in Career Development for the Engineering Assistants program which includes job rotation, training, and continuing education.
• Performs engineering‑related calculations and drafting/design work.
• Performs engineering calculations for plan quantities as part of PS&E preparation activities.
• Performs research and problem solving of engineering‑related problems.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Engineering Assistant II (including Engineering Assistant I) Essential Duties

• Performs advanced and specialized engineering design work.

Note: If you graduate in December 2026 with a Bachelor’s Degree in accordance with the requirements above, you may apply for this position. However, if offered the job, you must provide proof of your degree no later than your start date.

Acceptable Substitutions for all levels

Master's degree in engineering or a Master of engineering degree from an institution that offers a bachelor of science degree, in the same discipline, which has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET) may substitute for a Bachelor's degree.

Doctoral degree in engineering or a doctor of engineering degree from an institution that offers a bachelor of science degree, in the same discipline, which has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET) may substitute for a Bachelor's degree.

Experience

Engineering Assistant I: No work experience is required.

Engineering Assistant II: 1 year of Engineering related experience (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent). No supervisory experience required.

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
• Mandatory: Safety Impact Certificate

Engineering Assistant I Competencies

• Transportation engineering terminology and fundamentals
• Application of engineering fundamentals
• Using engineering workstations and applications of engineering technology
• Analyzing and organizing business and technical data
• Exercises logic and reasoning to define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; makes decisions that support business objectives and goals

Engineering Assistant II (including Engineering Assistant I) Competencies

• Transportation design engineering principles, practices and methods and the application of engineering theory
• Applicable plans, specifications and estimates preparation, review, processing and compliance requirements
• Computer‑aided drafting and design systems
• Applying engineering principles, practices, and methods in job responsibilities

Performing calculations to include material and labor estimates, expenses, technical survey data and engineering calculations

Engineering Assistant I Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions.
• Required to wear protective gear-respirator, hard hat, or other device
• Talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words
• Hearing - perceive sound at normal speaking levels; receive information by oral communication
• Close Visual Acuity - work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading.

Engineering Assistant II (including Engineering Assistant I) Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Subject to environmental conditions; protection from weather but not temperature changes
• Medium work: Lift up to 50 lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 25 lbs
• Balancing-walking, standing, crouching on various surfaces without falling
• Walking-moving on foot to accomplish tasks: long distance/from one work site to another
• Repetitive Motion-substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers

Required to work hours other than 8 to 5.

Required to work under exposure to inclement weather conditions.

Required to wear personal protective equipment provided by employer and comply with all safety requirements.

This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical.

Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.

Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) – does not authorize medical marijuana under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.

All employees classified as Engineering Assistants are required to participate in the EA program. Participation in the Engineering Assistant Career Development Program (EACDP) requires that employees sign a Program Agreement, which outlines employee responsibilities and service time commitment. Failure to comply with all terms of the Program Agreement will result in reclassification.

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

Job Type

Standard

Job Level

Non-Management

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)

TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category.

Click on the appropriate occupational category to view the MOS codes.

The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990.