Highway Designer

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 61,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation seeks a Highway Designer to help deliver major highway improvements. You will apply CADD and engineering math to guide projects from planning through final design.

The role focuses on accurate transportation designs, field evaluations, plan preparation, and design reviews, with telework considerations and a standard 7:00 AM–3:00 PM schedule in Allentown, PA. You will contribute to safe, efficient transportation outcomes.

Qualifications

• Minimum Experience: 1 year as Highway Draftsman- Designer or 3 years of highway design with six months CADD, plus an associate's degree in civil engineering, drafting, or related field.
• Alternative: 1 year Highway design with six months CADD and a Bachelor's in civil engineering or related field.
• Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training.

Responsibilities

• Plan preparation: review detailed design plans for reconstruction, realignment, traffic control, erosion and sediment control.
• Technical calculations: compute geometry, grades, drainage needs, earthwork quantities, pipe sizes, hydrologic data.
• Field evaluation: site investigations to assess terrain, drainage and conditions for design accuracy.
• Design review: ensure compliance with standards, specifications and technical requirements.
• Project coordination: attend meetings, resolve design issues, update schedules and documentation.
• CADD utilization: use highway design software to improve workflow, accuracy, and productivity.

Skills

Highway design

CADD operation

Math/calculations

Education

Associate's degree in civil engineering, drafting, or design technology

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or closely related field

Tools

CADD software

Highway design software

Job description

Salary

$60,538.00 - $92,010.00 Annually

Location

Lehigh County, PA

Job Type

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

CSSC-2026-59382-10310

Department

Department of Transportation

Division

TR Dstr Off 500

Opening Date

10/08/2026

Closing Date

10/21/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

10310

Position Number

50566228

Union

AFSCME

Bargaining Unit

B1

Pay Group

ST07

Bureau / Division Code

080500

Bureau / Division

TR District Office 500

Worksite Address

1002 W Hamilton St

City

Allentown, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

18101

Contact Name

Michael McKinnon

Contact Email

[e-mail]

THE POSITION

Step into a role where your work helps millions of people reach their destinations! The Highway Designer position at the Department of Transportation places you at the center of major highway improvements. You will use your CADD and mathematical skills to guide projects from early planning through final design. Apply today and join a team that values innovation and problem solving!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This role focuses on developing accurate transportation designs and applying technical methods that support safe and consistent project outcomes.

As a Highway Designer, you will perform the following duties:

• Plan Preparation: Prepare and review detailed design plans for reconstruction, realignment, traffic control, and erosion and sediment control


• Technical Calculations: Compute geometry, grades, drainage needs, earthwork quantities, pipe sizes, and hydrologic data


• Field Evaluation: Conduct site investigations to assess terrain, drainage, and existing conditions for design accuracy


• Design Review: Review plans and consultant work for compliance with standards, specifications, and technical requirements


• Project Coordination: Attend meetings, resolve design issues, and update project schedules and documentation


• CADD Utilization: Use highway design software and Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) tools to improve workflow, accuracy, and productivity

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• Full-time employment


• Work hours are 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.


• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 50% after a successful probationary period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Allentown. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.


• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $60,538.00 (before taxes).


• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year as a Highway Draftsman- Designer (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or


• Three years of professional experience in highway design work including six months of CADD operation, and an Associate's Degree in civil engineering, drafting, or design technology; or


• One year of professional experience in highway design work including six months involved CADD operation, and a Bachelor's Degree in civil engineering, or a closely related field; or


• Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training.

Other Requirements

• This particular position also requires a valid Class C Driver's License or equivalent.


• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.


• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).


• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.


• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.


• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  
  
  
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  
  
  • you may be disqualified.
  
  
  
  


• You may only apply/test once for this posting.


• Your results will be provided via email.