Highway Engineering Manager

Outagamie County; Appleton (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Outagamie County is seeking an Engineering Manager to lead the Highway Department’s engineering functions, including planning, design, construction support, traffic engineering, permitting, and right‑of‑way coordination.

The role reports to the Highway Commissioner, supervises engineers and staff, and works with WisDOT, municipalities, consultants, and contractors on grants and capital projects. The position emphasizes leadership and regulatory compliance across multiple projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering required.
• Wisconsin Professional Engineer licensure or ability to obtain within policy timeframe.
• 5–7 years of progressively responsible highway engineering experience.
• At least 2 years of supervisory or management experience preferred.
• Experience with WisDOT standards, procedures, and funding programs preferred.

Responsibilities

• Directs, supervises, and reviews the work of the engineering division and staff.
• Plans workloads, schedules, and technical studies; coordinates with WisDOT, municipalities, consultants, and contractors.
• Ensures compliance with county policies, safety standards, and state/federal requirements.
• Oversees highway and bridge planning, design criteria, and project priorities; supports capital planning and grant activities.
• Acts as Highway Commissioner designee during absences and communicates with leadership and external stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Supervisory experience

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) in Wisconsin

Tools

GIS mapping

Engineering databases

Job description

The Highway Engineering Manager is responsible for planning, directing, and supervising the engineering functions of the County Highway Department. This position provides leadership for highway and bridge planning, design, construction support, traffic engineering, permitting, right-of-way coordination, and related engineering services. The position supervises engineering staff, coordinates with WisDOT, municipalities, consultants, and contractors, prepares and supports state and federal grant applications, and serves as a member of the Department leadership team.

This position reports directly to the Highway Commissioner and may serve as the Commissioner’s designee during absences, as assigned.

Hours:

Mon-Fri 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, flexibility and night meetings required.

Outagamie County Offers a Comprehensive Benefits Package:

1. Health, Dental, Vision options with an Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account.
2. Life Insurance
3. Short term and Long term Disability
4. Vacation, Comp Time, Sick Leave, Paid Holidays
5. Continuing Education
6. Retirement Options:

• Deferred Comp (Public Sector Retirement Savings Plan)
• Wisconsin Retirement System (retirement plan which the county pays a portion and employee pays a portion) 8th Largest Pension Fund in the U.S./25th Largest Public or Private Pension in the world!

Learn more today by visiting: https://www.outagamie.gov/Our-County/Human-Resources/Employee-Benefits-Information

Engineering Leadership and Supervision

• Directs, supervises, assigns and reviews the work of the engineering division, including engineers, engineering technicians, seasonal staff, and engineering interns.
• Plans and prioritizes engineering workloads, schedules, project assignments, field reviews, inspections, and technical studies.
• Provides coaching, mentoring, technical direction, and performance feedback to engineering staff.
• Recommends hiring, discipline, advancement, and other personnel actions for assigned staff.
• Develops and maintains cross-training and continuity within engineering operations.
• Ensures staff compliance with County policies, department procedures, safety standards, and applicable State and Federal requirements.

Highway and Bridge Planning

• Assists the Highway Commissioner with short- and long-range planning for County highways, bridges, culverts, drainage facilities, traffic systems, and related transportation assets.
• Supports development of annual work plans, capital improvement planning, budget recommendations, and project priorities.
• Evaluates roadway, bridge, safety, capacity, and operational needs and develops recommendations for improvements.
• Assists with departmental policies, procedures, standards, and engineering best practices.
• Supports project programming, reimbursement documentation, and grant compliance activities.
• Oversees or assists with right-of-way research, coordination, and acquisition activities related to highway projects.

Construction, Asset Management, and Technical Oversight

• Provides engineering oversight for construction, maintenance, bridge, culvert, traffic signal, and related transportation infrastructure projects.
• Supports bridge program administration, inspections, and recordkeeping.
• Oversees engineering databases, transportation inventory systems, GIS mapping, digital records, and project documentation.
• Promotes process improvement, standardization, and effective use of engineering technology.

Leadership Team and Acting Authority

• Participates as a member of the Department leadership team in operational planning, strategic initiatives, capital planning, policy discussions, and coordination across divisions.
• Advises the Highway Commissioner on engineering, capital, safety, and regulatory issues.
• Serves as acting designee for the Highway Commissioner during absences, as assigned, including representing the department in meetings and responding to operational and project issues within delegated authority.
• Maintains effective communication with department leadership, elected officials, outside agencies, and the public.

• Bachelor’sdegreeinCivilEngineering field required.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer inWisconsin required, or ability to obtain within a timeframe established by the County if allowed by HR policy.
• Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in highway engineering, transportation project development, public works engineering, or related work.
• At least two years of supervisory or engineering management experience preferred.
• Experience with highway design, construction, maintenance, traffic engineering, permitting, consultant coordination, and public sector project delivery strongly preferred.
• Experience working with WisDOT standards, procedures, and funding programs strongly preferred.