Major Crossings Design- Build Principal

Jacobs; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision

401(k) plan

Company stock purchase

Unlimited PPTO

Paid holidays

Job summary

Jacobs in the United States is seeking a Major Crossings Design-Build Principal to lead pursuit, planning, and execution of large bridge and transportation projects.

You will provide strategic leadership across multi-office teams, mentoring Design Managers, guiding ATC development, and fostering client relationships.

This role demands senior design leadership, strong cost control, and collaboration with agencies, contractors, and owners—hybrid with national travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Civil Engineering.
• P.E. licensure required.
• 15+ years in complex highway/bridge projects.
• Design-Build or alternative delivery experience with >$500M.
• QA/QC program experience.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management.
• Willingness to travel or co-locate with project teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead Design Manager for large Design-Build projects.
• Guide pursuit, proposal development, and ATC initiatives.
• Mentor Bridge and Highway Design Managers.
• Coordinate with project controls, scheduling, and construction.
• Ensure budget, schedule, and scope adherence.
• Oversee contracting and financial performance.

Skills

Design-Build leadership

Bridge design management

Client relationship management

Team leadership

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Master's degree in Engineering (preferred)

Professional Engineer (P.E.) registration

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

At Jacobs, we're transforming transportation infrastructure through innovative alternative delivery solutions. We're seeking an experienced Major Crossings Design-Build Principal to lead the pursuit, planning, and execution of some of the industry's most complex bridge and transportation infrastructure projects.

If you are a proven Design-Build leader who thrives on solving technical challenges, leading high-performing teams, and delivering landmark transportation projects, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact.

In this role, you will provide strategic leadership across large-scale Design-Build and alternative delivery projects, with a particular focus on major bridge crossings. From pursuit and proposal development through final delivery, you will guide multidisciplinary teams, foster strong client relationships, and ensure seamless integration between design and construction. You will also play a key role in expanding Jacobs' Design-Build presence and reinforcing our reputation as a trusted partner for transportation agencies, contractors, and infrastructure owners.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the Design Manager responsible for the successful coordination and delivery of design services on large, complex Design-Build and alternative delivery projects.
• Champion Jacobs' Design-Build and alternative delivery capabilities across assigned geographies and markets while representing the company at client meetings and industry events.
• Mentor and support bridge and highway Design Managers, promoting best practices and continuous improvement across the organization.
• Lead and oversee pursuit-phase activities, including proposal development, technical leadership, and Alternative Technical Concept (ATC) development.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with contractors, transportation agencies, owner representatives, and key project stakeholders.
• Direct multidisciplinary teams across multiple offices and project locations in fast-paced, high-performance environments.
• Collaborate closely with project controls, scheduling, and construction teams to monitor project performance, manage risks, and achieve scope, schedule, and budget objectives.
• Ensure excellence in project delivery through rigorous quality management, effective client engagement, and efficient resource utilization.
• Oversee contract administration, project financial performance, invoicing, and profitability.
• Develop project execution plans, staffing strategies, and resource requirements for each phase of project delivery.
• Lead and coordinate Project Engineers, Engineers, and Technical Specialists to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and successfully.
• Monitor and validate design and construction schedules, budgets, forecasts, and project metrics across all disciplines.
• Ensure compliance with contractual requirements while exercising strong cost management and budget control practices.
• Lead large, complex project assignments requiring strategic thinking, technical expertise, and executive-level stakeholder management.
• Collaborate with clients, contractors, regulatory agencies, joint venture partners, and industry organizations to drive successful project outcomes.

The final candidate could be located near any Jacobs' office across the US including but not limited to New York, New York, Morristown, NJ, Philadelphia PA, Washington DC, Baltimore, MD, Reston or Richmond, VA, Atlanta, GA, Nashville, TN, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Miami or Orlando, FL, Dallas or Austin, TX, Tempe, AZ, Bellevue, WA, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, CA, Milwaukee, WI, Chicago, IL, Columbus, OH, Denver, CO, Tulsa, OK, Fargo, ND and Albuquerque, NM.

Here’s what you’ll need

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) registration.
• 15+ years of experience managing complex, multidisciplinary highway and bridge infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a Design Manager, Project Manager, or senior design leader on major transportation infrastructure projects involving bridges.
• Proven Design-Build or alternative delivery experience on transportation projects with construction values exceeding $500 million.
• Experience developing, implementing, and managing Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) programs.
• Strong leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and team development skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel or co-locate with project teams based on client and project requirements.

Ideally you’ll also have

• Master's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
• Professional Engineer licensure in multiple states.
• Experience delivering transportation projects with construction values exceeding $1 billion.
• Experience leading complex bridge projects involving long-span structures, major river crossings, in-water foundations, or innovative construction techniques.
• Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) certification.
• Established relationships within transportation agencies, owners, and contractor organizations involved in major infrastructure delivery.

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $175,000.00 to $300,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on August 18, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.