Highway Designer

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc.; Watertown (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. (VHB) seeks a Highway Designer in Watertown, MA to contribute to complex regional transportation projects, helping design roadways, multimodal facilities, and associated drainage and utilities.

You'll collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, develop 3D roadway alignments, prepare criteria, and review drawings while applying Civil 3D, AutoCAD, InfraWorks or SketchUp skills. A BS in Civil Engineering and 3–5 years of experience are expected; EIT preferred.

Qualifications

• BS in Civil Engineering; MS preferred.
• 3-5 years of transportation engineering experience required.
• EIT preferred.
• Proficient in AutoCAD / Civil 3D; InfraWorks/SketchUp a plus; MassDOT familiarity a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conceptual and final design of roadway, highway, and multi-modal solutions including horizontal/vertical layout, grading, drainage, and utilities.
• Preparation and review of roadway design criteria, calculations, drawings, estimates, and specifications.
• Development of 3D modeling for conceptual roadway alignments.
• Temporary traffic control development.
• Constructability development and review.
• Typical section development and pavement design.
• Preparation of right-of-way and easement plans.

Skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Independent work

Detail oriented

Problem solving

Multitasking

Strong computer skills

Education

BS in Civil Engineering

MS a plus

Tools

AutoCAD

Civil3D

Infraworks

SketchUp

Job description

Highway Designer

Job Locations: US-MA-Watertown

ID: 2026-6396

Category: Engineering

Type: Regular Full-Time

Career Stage Type: Experienced

# of Openings: 1

ABOUT THE POSITION

Help shape the future of transportation across New England! VHB's Watertown, MA office is seeking a Highway Designer to join our award-winning team to contribute to some of New England's most complex and high-profile design-build projects to create safer, more connected communities.

At VHB, we're committed to advancing transportation infrastructure, improving community safety, and building more sustainable places-while creating a collaborative, supportive environment for the people who make that work possible. Our team delivers meaningful development and infrastructure projects throughout the region, combining sustainability, innovation, and real-world impact.

Here, you can build a rewarding career without sacrificing your well-being. Whether you're seeking stronger mentorship, clearer growth opportunities, or the chance to deepen your technical expertise, VHB offers a meaningful next step. You'll take on challenging projects alongside a team that values your perspective, invests in your development, and respects your life outside of work.

Responsibilities

• Conceptual and final design of roadway, highway, and multi-modal engineering solutions for a variety of transportation-related projects including development of geometric horizontal and vertical layout, grading and drainage design, and utilities layout
• Preparation and review of roadway design criteria, calculations, drawings, estimates, and specifications
• Development of 3D modeling for conceptual roadway alignments
• Temporary traffic control development
• Constructability development and review
• Typical section development and pavement design
• Preparation of right-of-way and easement plans

Skills/Abilities

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Comfortable working independently as well as part of a team
• Ability to work effectively in both in-office and virtual environments
• Ability to balance concurrent projects
• Detail oriented, self-motived, and committed
• Strong computer skills
• Critical thinking and problem solving

Qualifications

• BS in Civil Engineering required, MS a plus
• 3-5 years of transportation engineering experience required
• EIT preferred
• Demonstratable AutoCAD / Civil3D experience required
• Infraworks or SketchUp experience a plus
• Familiarity with MassDOT project development a plus

The full-time annual base salary range for this position, located in Watertown, MA, is $90,000 to $115,000. 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.