Engineering Program Manager

Austin Community College; Mechanicsville (VA); On-site; USD 111,775 - 181,635; Full time

Job summary

A regional educational organization in Virginia seeks a Planning Section Leader to oversee transportation studies and projects ensuring compliance with standards and best practices. This role requires a degree in Civil Engineering, proven leadership, and experience in traffic analysis. You will lead planning studies and coordinate with VDOT and other stakeholders. The position offers a salary ranging from $111,775 to $181,635 with competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• Experience in planning and traffic analysis.
• Knowledge of civil engineering principles including roadway design.
• Ability to manage multiple complex statewide programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of planning studies and transportation models.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to provide effective engineering solutions.
• Conduct planning studies and evaluate program performances.

Skills

Leadership

Technical problem resolution

Project management

Communication

Networking

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering or related field

Valid Professional Engineer's license

Tools

Engineering software

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Details

Job Category: Architecture and Engineering Services

Apply Before: 12/19/2025, 11:59 PM

Job Schedule: Full time

Minimum Salary: $111,775.00

Maximum Salary: $181,635.00

Contact Name: Audrey Phillips

Contact Email: [e-mail]

Job Description

Lead a Planning section or sections. Lead development of planning studies, decisions, transportation models, planning tools and data sets that lead to investment decisions. Ensure that traffic VDOT standards, policies and best practices are applied consistently. Ensure that traffic forecasts and data sets that support project development and planning efforts are developed and gathered based on established methods. Oversight of planning study elements on projects (including high-profile projects) done both in-house and with consultants. Work will support SMART SCALE, other funding programs, VTRANS, and projects on the National Highway System. Will have oversight of planning programs, on-calls, interact with management, and advocate recommended solutions and strategies to VDOT, regional and locality staff. Review and document consultant activities, progress and related billings as needed. Provider leadership, direction, and technical engineering guidance to related program areas.

How you will contribute

• Compliance: Provide oversight of the program area within the Division and Districts to ensure compliance with VDOT, state, and federal policies, practices, guidelines and specifications. Review central office and district plans for compliance with established practices and procedures. Provide review and make recommendations on new and innovative procedures, specifications and products. Provide a written summary of findings and recommendations for division management.
• Division Liaison: Coordinate and advocate effective engineering solutions with other stakeholders in VDOT Districts, Location and Design, Traffic Engineering, Environmental, Bridge, and Operations. Develop planning level cost estimates. Help advance projects to funding.
• Establish Priorities: Establish objectives and priorities for the team in support of overall goals, communicate objectives and priorities to employees, and update objectives as needs change. Establish priorities for the program's objectives to enhance achievement of division and VDOT goals. Modify objectives to reflect changes.
• Manage Technical Problem Resolution: Apply sound engineering practices and methods to satisfy customers, reduce complaints and resolve concerns. Provide leadership in technical areas of engineering. Proactively address issues that are identified within program area and raise appropriate issues to Division Management ensuring compliance with VDOT policies and procedures.
• Management Oversight: Supervise staff as well as consultant contracts to complete work.
• Planning Studies: Conduct, manage and participate in planning studies including corridor studies, access management studies, crossover studies, interchange studies, area studies, etc. Collect and analyze data to provide recommendations for transportation deficiencies. Analyze using appropriate software tools to develop recommendations and provide solutions. Ensure that concepts are consistent with VDOT policies, standards, and best practices.
• Program Evaluation: Evaluate program and institute changes and procedures as required. Provide technical guidance to field offices and monitor adherence to approve standards and practices through field coordination, visitation and consultation. Ensure quality control reviews are completed and recommendations for program performance and improvement are implemented.
• Staffing and Management: Proactively manage human and fiscal resources by recognizing future needs and taking appropriate actions to address those needs. Organize program area's assignments to best utilize available resources. Ensure production schedules and budgets continuously reflect current information.
• Statewide Program Oversight: Serves as responsible charge engineer for designated program area. Develop and update policies, procedures and guidelines for statewide implementation and administration. Communicate changes in policies and procedures to staff and ensure consistent application statewide.
• Strategic Planning: Develop short and long-range statewide strategic plans to ensure VDOT programs align with VDOT's vision, mission and goals.
• Teamwork: Coordinate the flow of information both orally and in writing to and from others that contributes to project development. Organize and prioritize work effectively, keep multiple projects on schedule within section. Meet expectations and requirements of internal and external customers. Establish and maintain effective relationships with customers.
• Technical Support: Serve as a technical expert in providing assistance in assigned areas of transportation engineering. Provide research to solve problems and questions. Provide instruction and guidance with policies and procedures. Prepare new VDOT guidelines or memos to address changes or modifications.
• Traffic Forecasting and Analysis: Prepare project level traffic forecasts, using available data, reports and models. Provide traffic forecasts, roundabout analysis and recommendations for scoping meetings, roadway design and environmental studies.

What will make you successful

• Ability to build networks and relationships with employees from other divisions, field personnel, contractors, manufacturers and FHWA representatives.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse audiences and to make presentations and prepare reports.
• Ability to conduct the administrative and technical operations of the assigned engineering program area.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships at all organizational levels with internal and external customers.
• Ability to interpret, apply, and provide guidance on policy and procedures related to program areas.
• Ability to manage an engineering program, manage multiple work teams of professional engineering and technical staff, and oversee complex engineering projects.
• Ability to manage multiple and complex statewide programs and projects.
• Ability to plan and schedule work effectively.
• Ability to supervise, coach, train and develop staff.
• Demonstrated leadership and consultation skills working with all levels of management, stakeholders, and contractors.
• Experience in planning and traffic analysis.
• Knowledge of civil engineering principles to include roadway design, traffic analysis, roadway safety and construction methods and materials, ensuring compliance.
• Knowledge of principles of roadway safety.
• Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices to include hiring, discipline, performance management, and employee development.
• Skill in analyzing and prioritizing tasks and assignments to appropriately manage resources and responsibilities.
• Skill in the use of computers and software applications including engineering software and Microsoft Office Suite.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to evaluate, develop and maintain innovative solutions for transportation planning and mobility initiatives.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, coordinate and complete multiple assignments within scheduled timeframes.
• Degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Valid Professional Engineer's license.

Additional Considerations

• Certified Planner with American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
• Experience as liaison with diverse groups, e.g. government officials, special interest groups, citizens, etc.
• Experience in long-range and short-range transportation planning to include forecasting, transportation studies and traffic analyses.
• Experience using planning and traffic engineering software.