Freight Operations & AV Systems Engineer

State of North Carolina; Wake Forest (NC); On-site; USD 82,000 - 159,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of North Carolina’s Department of Transportation seeks a senior Engineering Supervisor III (NS) to lead statewide programs, including freight operations, automated vehicle readiness, ATMS compliance, AI applications, and geospatial systems. This role provides high‑level engineering oversight and aligns strategies with federal transportation expectations.

The position requires supervising staff, establishing standards, and coordinating with internal units and external partners to expand

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an applicable field of engineering from an appropriately accredited institution and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience including three (3) years of supervisory experience.
• May require registration as a professional engineer by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors.
• Experience with autonomous vehicle systems, deployment requirements, and connected‑vehicle technologies.
• Experience in program development and management, policy design, and grant development.

Responsibilities

• Provide high‑level engineering oversight for statewide programs.
• Develop statewide technical strategies and ensure alignment with departmental goals and federal expectations.
• Supervise engineering staff and coordinate with internal units and external partners.
• Establish engineering standards and oversee complex systems engineering processes.
• Support expansion of the Division’s operational capacity.

Skills

Traffic engineering principles

Systems engineering

Traffic operations

Commercial vehicle operations

Autonomous vehicle systems

Connected-vehicle technologies

Program development and management

Policy design

Grant development

Supervisory leadership

Effective communication

Stakeholder coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering field

Job description

Agency

Dept of Transportation

Division

State Hwy Administrator - Div of Hwys

Job Classification Title

Engineering Supervisor III (NS)

Position Number

60029103

Grade

NC23

About Us

It’s the mission of the NC Department of Transportation to connect people, products and places safely and efficiently with customer focus, accountability, and environmental sensitivity to enhance the economy and vitality of North Carolina. We encourage you to consider joining NCDOT where our work not only serves the citizens of North Carolina but has an impact on our world through all modes of transportation.

Description of Work

This position serves as the Division’s senior engineering supervisor responsible for leading statewide programs in freight operations, connected and automated vehicle readiness, ATMS compliance, artificial intelligence applications, and geospatial systems. The role provides high‑level engineering oversight, develops statewide technical strategies, and ensures alignment with departmental strategic goals and federal transportation expectations.

The position also establishes engineering standards, supervises complex systems engineering processes, and coordinates extensively with internal units and external partners to maintain safe and efficient statewide operations. As program demands grow, this role will supervise engineering staff to support these functions and expand the Division’s operational capacity.

The chosen candidate must be able to legally operate a motor vehicle.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade and Salary Range: NC23 $81,620.00-$159,158.00

Management prefers applicants with the following:

• Experience in traffic engineering principles and practices including systems engineering, traffic operations, and commercial vehicle operations.
• Experience with autonomous vehicle systems, deployment requirements, and connected‑vehicle technologies.
• Experience with program development and management, policy design, and grant development.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise engineering work, lead technical programs, and coordinate across multiple units and agencies.
• Skill in communicating engineering topics verbally and in writing
• Skill in consensus‑building, and stakeholder coordination

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Bachelor’s degree in an applicable field of engineering from an appropriately accredited institution and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience including three (3) years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Special Requirements

May require registration as a professional engineer by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors.

In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second‑chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice‑involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

It is important that your application includes all your relevant education and work experience and that you answer all questions associated with the application.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.