Principal Traffic Engineer

Mott MacDonald Group; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonuses

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) with company matching

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Job summary

Mott MacDonald is seeking an experienced Traffic Engineering Leader to join our Southern California transportation team, based in the Los Angeles area. You will lead technical reviews, mentor engineers, and collaborate with agencies across highways, rail, and transit to deliver complex projects.

You will oversee worksite traffic control and detour planning, engage with LA Metro and Caltrans, and shape the growth of our traffic engineering practice in Southern California.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline.
• California Traffic Engineer (TE) licence required.
• Typically 10+ years of progressive traffic engineering experience.
• Strong experience in worksite traffic control, temporary traffic management, detour planning, and construction traffic operations.
• Experience reviewing and approving traffic control plans for public agency transportation projects.
• Knowledge of California traffic engineering standards, MUTCD, Caltrans requirements, and local agency review processes.
• Experience working with or supporting agencies such as LA Metro, LADOT, Caltrans, California High-Speed Rail, local municipalities, or comparable transportation organisations.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Civil 3D; experience with Civil 3D design workflows is highly desirable.
• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Previous consulting experience is preferred; public-sector agency experience will also be strongly considered.
• Experience supporting major transportation programs, transit systems, rail infrastructure projects, or large-scale event transportation planning is advantageous.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor staff and contribute to team growth.
• Proven ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across geographically dispersed teams.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead for traffic engineering projects across Southern California.
• Lead the review, development, and approval of worksite traffic control plans, transportation management plans, construction phasing strategies, and detour plans.
• Provide technical oversight for LA Metro traffic-control review assignments supporting active and planned capital projects.
• Support California High-Speed Rail and other transportation agencies with traffic engineering reviews, third-party design oversight, and transportation management activities.
• Lead traffic engineering efforts associated with major regional events, including Olympic Games transportation improvements and mobility planning initiatives.
• Review, sign, and seal engineering documents and traffic control plans as required.
• Coordinate with public agencies including LA Metro, LADOT, Caltrans, local municipalities, and other transportation stakeholders.
• Provide technical guidance on traffic operations, temporary traffic control, work zone safety, construction traffic management, and transportation planning.
• Support the development and delivery of traffic engineering design packages using AutoCAD Civil 3D and related software tools.
• Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, quality, and deliverables for assigned projects.
• Act as a client-facing technical advisor and build strong relationships with agency stakeholders and transportation decision-makers.
• Support business development activities, including proposal preparation, technical approaches, interviews, and client presentations.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers and technical staff.
• Help recruit, build, and grow the Southern California traffic engineering team as workloads expand.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across highways, rail, transit, civil infrastructure, and transportation programs.

Skills

Leadership

Client engagement

Mentoring

Independent work

Public-sector experience

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related

California Traffic Engineer license (TE)

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Job description

At Mott MacDonald, we are driven by purpose and powered by brilliant people. As a trusted engineering, management, and development consultancy, we work with clients to solve complex challenges and deliver sustainable outcomes that make a meaningful difference for the communities we serve.

When you join us as an experienced professional, you will bring your expertise to work that matters while continuing to grow your career. You will collaborate with talented colleagues across disciplines and geographies, contribute your perspective, and help shape better outcomes through technical excellence, innovation, and integrity.

Build on your experience while helping shape what comes next. At Mott MacDonald, you'll work alongside talented people on complex and rewarding projects that make a real difference. We value fresh perspectives, encourage collaboration, and provide opportunities to expand your skills, take on new challenges, and grow your career. Whether you're deepening your technical expertise, broadening your leadership experience, or exploring new opportunities across our business, you'll be supported by a team that is committed to helping you succeed.

Mott MacDonald is seeking an experienced Traffic Engineering Leader to join our growing Southern California transportation team. Based in the Los Angeles area, this role will provide technical leadership across a diverse portfolio of transportation infrastructure projects, including major assignments with LA Metro, California High-Speed Rail, Olympic Games-related programs, and other public-sector transportation initiatives.

This is a leadership opportunity for a California-licensed Traffic Engineer who combines strong technical expertise with client engagement, project delivery, and team development capabilities. You will serve as a trusted advisor to key clients, oversee critical traffic engineering reviews and designs, mentor developing engineers, and help expand our traffic engineering presence across Southern California.

The successful candidate will join a small but growing team and play a key role in shaping its future growth, technical capability, and market presence.

This role offers the opportunity to work on some of the most significant transportation programs in Southern California while helping build and lead a growing traffic engineering practice. You will have immediate project opportunities, direct client exposure, and the chance to shape how transportation infrastructure is delivered across the region. We are looking for a technically respected leader who is passionate about transportation, enjoys solving complex challenges, and is motivated to help grow both people and business.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead for traffic engineering projects across Southern California.
• Lead the review, development, and approval of worksite traffic control plans, transportation management plans, construction phasing strategies, and detour plans.
• Provide technical oversight for LA Metro traffic-control review assignments supporting active and planned capital projects.
• Support California High-Speed Rail and other transportation agencies with traffic engineering reviews, third-party design oversight, and transportation management activities.
• Lead traffic engineering efforts associated with major regional events, including Olympic Games transportation improvements and mobility planning initiatives.
• Review, sign, and seal engineering documents and traffic control plans as required.
• Coordinate with public agencies including LA Metro, LADOT, Caltrans, local municipalities, and other transportation stakeholders.
• Provide technical guidance on traffic operations, temporary traffic control, work zone safety, construction traffic management, and transportation planning.
• Support the development and delivery of traffic engineering design packages using AutoCAD Civil 3D and related software tools.
• Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, quality, and deliverables for assigned projects.
• Act as a client-facing technical advisor and build strong relationships with agency stakeholders and transportation decision-makers.
• Support business development activities, including proposal preparation, technical approaches, interviews, and client presentations.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers and technical staff.
• Help recruit, build, and grow the Southern California traffic engineering team as workloads expand.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across highways, rail, transit, civil infrastructure, and transportation programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
• California Traffic Engineer (TE) licence required.
• Typically 10+ years of progressive traffic engineering experience, with consideration given to both senior and principal-level candidates based on expertise and project background.
• Strong experience in worksite traffic control, temporary traffic management, detour planning, and construction traffic operations.
• Experience reviewing and approving traffic control plans for public agency transportation projects.
• Demonstrated knowledge of California traffic engineering standards, MUTCD, Caltrans requirements, and local agency review processes.
• Experience working with or supporting agencies such as LA Metro, LADOT, Caltrans, California High-Speed Rail, local municipalities, or comparable transportation organisations.
• Strong understanding of transportation infrastructure construction and traffic impacts during construction.
• Experience managing projects and coordinating multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Civil 3D; experience with Civil 3D design workflows is highly desirable.
• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Previous consulting experience is preferred; public-sector agency experience will also be strongly considered.
• Experience supporting major transportation programs, transit systems, rail infrastructure projects, or large-scale event transportation planning is advantageous.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor staff and contribute to team growth.
• Proven ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across geographically dispersed teams.

Bring your expertise, curiosity, and drive to make a difference. If you are ready to join a collaborative consultancy where your perspective is valued, your growth is supported, and you are empowered to lead with integrity, we would love to hear from you.

Benefits & Rewards

The expected salary for this position is $170,000 - $210,000

Individual pay is determined based on several factors such as work location, education, experience, and unique skills.

In addition to base salary, Mott MacDonald offers performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package, giving employees a direct connection to our success.

Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support the health, wellbeing, financial security, and professional growth of our employees. Eligible employees have access to medical, dental, and vision coverage, FSA and HSA accounts, company-paid life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, and a competitive 401(k) plan with company matching. We also provide paid time off, paid holidays, caregiver leave, employee referral bonuses, professional registration and membership reimbursements, and tuition assistance to support continued learning and career development.

Collaboration at Our Core

At Mott MacDonald, we believe great ideas happen when we're together. Our hybrid approach centers on an in-office culture, with most of your time spent collaborating face-to-face and a minimum of three days per week in the office. We balance flexibility with connection, so you and your manager can choose how to meet clients, team, and personal commitments.

Equal opportunity is the law.

We seek to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they have the opportunity to contribute.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, creed, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status or disability status.