Principal Engineer, Transportation

Pape-Dawson; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Pape-Dawson Engineers is seeking a Principal Engineer, Transportation to lead complex transportation projects from concept to final design, ensuring technical excellence and client satisfaction.

The role requires an ABET-accredited civil engineering degree, PE licensure, and at least 8 years of progressive experience, including mentoring and effective communication with clients and agencies. This is a senior, independent position within the firm’s transportation practice.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the state(s) required to support project work.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive engineering experience, including leading complex projects and technical teams.
• Proven ability to mentor staff, influence outcomes, and communicate with clients, agencies, and multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for complex engineering projects from concept development through final design, permitting, construction, or implementation support.
• Establish technical approaches, design criteria, and work plans; evaluate alternatives and recommend solutions balancing quality, risk, constructability, cost, and schedule.
• Review and approve engineering calculations, plans, specifications, reports, estimates, and other deliverables for accuracy and compliance with standards.
• Resolve complex technical issues and guide project teams, clients, agencies, subconsultants, and contractors.
• Mentor and develop engineers, EITs, designers, and other staff; promote sound engineering judgment and quality-focused work practices.
• Coordinate with Project Managers and Senior Project Managers on scope, staffing, schedules, budgets, risk, quality control, and client expectations.
• Support proposals, scopes, fee development, client presentations, interviews, and other business-development activities.
• Contribute to development and improvement of standards, tools, workflows, and QA/QC practices.
• Represent the firm professionally with clients, agencies, and stakeholders.
• Provide technical direction for complex roadway programs, including PS&E and geometric design.

Skills

Technical leadership

Mentoring

Client communication

Project management

Education

ABET-accredited Civil Engineering degree

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Job description

Job Description:

Overview

The Principal Engineer, Transportation is a senior technical leader who provides advanced engineering judgment, technical direction, and project leadership for complex work within our transportation service area. This role translates client and project objectives into effective design solutions, guides project teams through challenging technical issues, and serves as a trusted resource to Project Engineers, Senior Project Engineers, project managers, and technical staff. The Principal Engineer operates with substantial independence and helps strengthen technical quality, client confidence, and the development of the firm’s engineering practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for complex engineering projects from concept development through final design, permitting, construction, or implementation support, as applicable.
• Establish technical approaches, design criteria, and work plans; evaluate alternatives and recommend solutions that balance quality, risk, constructability, cost, and schedule.
• Review and approve engineering calculations, plans, specifications, reports, estimates, and other technical deliverables for accuracy, consistency, and compliance with applicable standards.
• Resolve complex technical issues and provide authoritative guidance to project teams, clients, agencies, subconsultants, and contractors.
• Mentor and develop engineers, EITs, designers, and other technical staff; promote sound engineering judgment, accountability, and quality-focused work practices.
• Coordinate with Project Managers and Senior Project Managers on scope, staffing, schedules, budgets, risk, quality control, and client expectations.
• Support proposals, scopes, fee development, client presentations, interviews, and other business-development activities within the assigned service area.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of design standards, technical tools, workflows, and QA/QC practices.
• Represent the firm professionally with clients, agencies, professional organizations, and community stakeholders.
• Provide technical direction for complex roadway programs, including schematics, PS&E, geometric design, standards, constructability, and delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related field from an ABET-accredited program.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the state(s) required to support project work.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive engineering experience, including substantial experience leading complex projects and technical teams.
• Demonstrated expertise in engineering design, analysis, applicable codes and standards, and project delivery within the assigned service area.
• Proven ability to mentor technical staff, influence project outcomes, and communicate effectively with clients, agencies, and multidisciplinary teams.

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EEO Statement:

All qualified applicants for Pape-Dawson Engineers will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.