Entry Level Highway Designer - 2027 Graduate

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc.; Wethersfield (CT); On-site; USD 81,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. (VHB) invites motivated graduates to join our Wethersfield, CT office as an Entry-Level Highway Designer.

Work with a multidisciplinary team to develop practical, context-sensitive highway solutions, supporting planning, design, and construction across Connecticut-focused projects. You’ll gain exposure to design software, field conditions, and client coordination while contributing to transportation projects for state, municipal, and private clients.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering completed in 2027.
• 0-1 year of relevant professional transportation engineering experience.
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification, or progress toward certification, preferred.
• Roadway design experience preferred.
• Experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D, Bentley MicroStation, and/or OpenRoads Designer strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of transportation design solutions under the guidance of experienced engineers and designers.
• Assist with roadway, drainage, and utility relocation design, as well as temporary traffic control plans.
• Prepare preliminary and final design plans, contract documents, and technical specifications.
• Assist with construction cost estimates and project schedules.
• Participate in field visits to document existing conditions and support design development.
• Support construction-phase services and coordination with contractors.
• Contribute to projects using traditional and alternative delivery methods, including design-build.
• Collaborate with professionals specializing in bridge design, traffic engineering, environmental services, utilities, and stormwater management.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Detail-oriented

Willingness to learn design software

Critical thinking

Education

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

Engineer-in-Training (EIT) progress toward certification

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Bentley MicroStation

OpenRoads Designer

Job description

Entry Level Highway Designer - 2027 Graduate

Job Locations

US-CT-Wethersfield

Job Details

• ID: 2026-6504
• Category: Engineering
• Type: Regular Full-Time
• Career Stage Type: Entry level
• # of Openings: 1

ABOUT THE POSITION

Launch your transportation engineering career with VHB's Wethersfield, Connecticut office. As an Entry-Level Highway Designer, you'll collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop practical, context-sensitive solutions that improve highway and roadway infrastructure in the communities we serve.

You'll gain hands-on experience across project planning, design, and construction, supporting projects for clients including the Connecticut Department of Transportation's Highway Design Division, local cities and towns, Metro-North, colleges and universities, and private developers.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of transportation design solutions under the guidance of experienced engineers and designers.
• Assist with roadway, drainage, and utility relocation design, as well as temporary traffic control plans.
• Prepare preliminary and final design plans, contract documents, and technical specifications.
• Assist with construction cost estimates and project schedules.
• Participate in field visits to document existing conditions and support design development.
• Support construction-phase services and coordination with contractors.
• Contribute to projects using traditional and alternative delivery methods, including design-build.
• Collaborate with professionals specializing in bridge design, traffic engineering, environmental services, utilities, and stormwater management.

Skills and Attributes

• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and independently on assigned tasks.
• Attention to detail, initiative, and a commitment to high-quality work.
• Strong computer skills and a willingness to learn engineering design software.
• Critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, completed in 2027.
• 0-1 year of relevant professional transportation engineering experience.
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification, or progress toward certification, preferred.
• Roadway design experience preferred.
• Experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D, Bentley MicroStation, and/or OpenRoads Designer strongly preferred.

The full-time annual base salary range for this position, located in Connecticut, is $81,000 to $83,000. The base salary offered will be determined based on job-related factors, including geographic location, internal equity, experience, credentials, skills, education, work schedule, and other factors permitted by law. The posted salary range reflects base pay only. Additional compensation and benefits available to eligible employees are outlined in our Total Rewards Program.

Annual base salary is one component of VHB's Total Rewards package. In addition to base pay, eligible employees may receive annual incentive compensation bonuses, spot bonuses, and merit-based salary increases, providing opportunities to increase earnings beyond base pay. VHB also offers a differentiating work experience, including a comprehensive benefits package that includes eligibility to participate in the VHB 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, wellness programs, tuition reimbursement, and recognition programs.

Details on VHB's benefits package can be found here: Benefits Checklist

Building what's next, together.

Our people make the difference. We foster a technology-empowered, peopledriven, futureready culture where agility, innovation, and collaboration shape how we work every day.

When you join VHB, you'll find:

• Meaningful work on complex projects with real community impact
• A collaborative, inclusive culture that values curiosity and shared success
• Support to grow your skills and lead through change
• Learning and development supported by evolving tools and technologies, including AI
• Best-in-class benefits and a flexible, hybrid work environment

We're growing across the East Coast and are consistently recognized as a great place to work. Ready to shape what's next? Learn more about what sets our employee experience apart and connect with us.

VHB is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of inclusion and belonging, supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.