Lead Mechanical Movable Bridge Engineer

WSP USA; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP USA is seeking a senior Lead Mechanical Movable Bridge Engineer to drive design, rehabilitation, and asset-management initiatives for movable bridges across North America. You will lead multidisciplinary teams and deliver complex infrastructure projects with a focus on bascule, swing, and vertical-lift systems.

The role requires a Mechanical Engineering degree, a PE license, 10+ years of relevant experience, and a proven track record in engineering analysis, reports, and construction

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering is required.
• PE license is required.
• 10+ years of bridge mechanical experience in movable systems or heavy civil infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of hydraulics, power transmission, rotating equipment, bearings and electromechanical controls.
• Experience inspecting, evaluating, and rehabilitating bridge machinery systems.
• Proficient with engineering analysis software and design tools.
• Experience preparing technical reports, specs, and construction docs.
• Strong communication, coordination and client-management skills.
• Willingness to travel for meetings, inspections and field assignments.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design and rehabilitation projects for movable bridges (bascule, swing, vertical lift).
• Perform and oversee evaluations of bridge machinery, drives, hydraulics, gearboxes, motors, brakes and controls.
• Provide technical leadership for inspections, condition assessments and lifecycle evaluations.
• Develop calculations, sizing analyses, load studies, and design documentation.
• Prepare and review plans, specs, reports and construction documents.
• Serve as Engineer of Record for bridge mechanical projects where appropriate.
• Coordinate with structural, electrical, civil, and construction teams.
• Support construction administration, including shop drawings, field inspections, commissioning and testing.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers and staff.
• Support business development, client relations and project pursuits.
• Assist agencies with asset management and maintenance strategies.

Skills

Bridge mechanics

Movable bridge design

Hydraulic systems

Electrical-mechanical interfaces

Asset management

Project leadership

Mentoring engineers

Client relationship management

Engineering calculations

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Engineering analysis software

Job description

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for an experienced Lead Mechanical Movable Bridge Engineer to join our nationally recognized Transportation & Infrastructure practice in any of the following locations: Tampa-FL, Lawrenceville-NJ, Chicago-IL, New York-NY . This position is ideal for a senior engineer with extensive experience in the design, inspection, evaluation, rehabilitation, and construction support of bridge mechanical systems, with a focus on movable bridges and complex transportation infrastructure. The role draws upon the responsibilities outlined in WSP's existing bridge mechanical engineering practice and bridge infrastructure portfolio.

The selected candidate will lead and support projects involving movable bridges, bridge operating machinery, hydraulic systems, electrical-mechanical equipment interfaces, machinery rehabilitation, asset management, and transportation infrastructure modernization efforts. This individual will collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams, clients, and contractors to deliver innovative and sustainable infrastructure solutions throughout North America.

Your Impact

• Lead mechanical engineering design and rehabilitation projects for movable bridges, including bascule, swing, and vertical lift structures.

• Perform and oversee engineering evaluations of bridge machinery systems, drive mechanisms, hydraulic systems, gearboxes, bearings, motors, brakes, control equipment, and related mechanical components.

• Provide technical leadership for bridge inspections, condition assessments, failure investigations, and lifecycle evaluations.

• Develop engineering calculations, equipment sizing analyses, load studies, and mechanical design documentation.

• Prepare and review plans, specifications, technical reports, cost estimates, and construction documents.

• Serve as Engineer of Record for bridge mechanical system projects where appropriate.

• Lead multidisciplinary coordination with structural, electrical, civil, and construction engineering teams.

• Support construction administration activities, including shop drawing reviews, field inspections, contractor coordination, commissioning, and equipment testing.

• Mentor and develop junior engineers and engineering staff.

• Support business development efforts, client relationship management, proposals, and project pursuits.

• Assist transportation agencies and infrastructure owners in developing asset management and maintenance strategies for critical bridge assets.

• Maintain knowledge of industry standards, emerging technologies, and best practices related to bridge machinery and movable bridge infrastructure.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited institution.

• Professional Engineer (PE) license.

• 10+ years of relevant experience in bridge mechanical engineering, movable bridge systems, transportation infrastructure, or related heavy civil infrastructure.

• Strong knowledge of mechanical systems including hydraulics, power transmission systems, rotating equipment, bearings, structural machinery, and electromechanical controls.

• Experience performing inspections, evaluations, and rehabilitation design for bridge machinery systems.

• Proficiency with engineering analysis software and industry-standard design tools.

• Experience preparing technical reports, specifications, and construction documentation.

• Strong communication, project coordination, and client management skills.

• Ability to travel for project meetings, inspections, and field assignments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.

• Multiple Professional Engineering (PE) licenses in various states.

• Experience serving public-sector transportation clients including DOTs, transit agencies, municipalities, and port authorities.

• Experience with movable bridge design standards, rehabilitation programs, and asset management initiatives.

• Demonstrated project management experience leading multidisciplinary infrastructure projects.

• Familiarity with AASHTO, AREMA, OSHA, ASME, hydraulic design standards, and bridge inspection requirements.

• Experience managing engineering staff and mentoring developing professionals.

Preferred Technical Experience

Candidates should possess experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Bascule, swing, and vertical lift bridge systems

• Hydraulic power units and hydraulic controls

• Gear drives, motor drives, and machinery rehabilitation

• Bridge operating and control systems

• Machinery house design and equipment replacement

• Structural machinery inspections and condition assessments

• Bridge bearing systems and movable span mechanisms

• Construction engineering and commissioning support

• Asset management and lifecycle planning for transportation infrastructure

• Rehabilitation and modernization of aging infrastructure assets

WSP Benefits:

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Compensation:

Expected Salary (all locations): $ 109,500 - $ 240,000

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and may offer additional benefits and compensation, depending on circumstances and the type of work being performed not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

About WSP

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.

www.wsp.com

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.