Project Leader – Transportation MN Focus – Forest Lake

KL Engineering, Inc.; Forest Lake (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Paid Time Off & Holidays

Flexible & Hybrid Work Options

Comprehensive Insurance

401(k) Retirement & Profit-Sharing Plan

Job summary

KL Engineering, Inc. is seeking a Project Leader focused on transportation in Forest Lake, MN. This role demands technical leadership and client management for diverse transportation projects, ensuring quality, budget adherence, and timely delivery. Candidates should have a civil engineering background with at least 10 years of experience, specifically in transportation engineering.

Join a growing team committed to meaningful work and enjoy a competitive benefits package, including flexible work options, generous paid time off, and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of industry experience in transportation engineering.
• Strong technical foundation in roadway design principles.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical direction and oversight for transportation projects.
• Serve as primary point of contact for clients.
• Develop and manage project scopes, schedules, and budgets.

Skills

Technical leadership

Client relationship management

Project management

Transportation engineering

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related field

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Job description

Project Leader – Transportation MN Focus – Forest Lake

The Project Leader – Transportation provides technical leadership, client relationship management, and overall delivery accountability for a wide range of transportation projects in Minnesota and the surrounding region, including roadway design, traffic engineering, multimodal infrastructure, and corridor improvements. This role leads projects from concept through construction, ensuring technical quality, strong client partnerships, and successful financial performance.

Working with an established multidisciplinary team, the Project Leader sets project direction, aligns internal resources, and serves as the primary point of accountability for scope, schedule, budget, and client satisfaction.

This position requires a minimum of 10 years of industry experience. Prior project management experience is a plus but not required. Experienced transportation or civil engineers with strong technical backgrounds who are ready to step into a project leadership role are encouraged to apply.

What You'll Do:

Technical Leadership

• Direct & Oversee: Provide technical direction and oversight for transportation projects including roadway design, intersection improvements, traffic operations, and multimodal facilities (pedestrian, bicycle, and transit).
• Guide & Integrate: Oversee key project elements including geometric design, traffic control, drainage considerations, utility coordination, and safety enhancements.
• Ensure & Coordinate: Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including MnDOT standards, permitting, and agency coordination.
• Review & Validate: Review plans, specifications, traffic studies, reports, and technical deliverables to ensure quality, accuracy, and constructability.
• Mentor & Support: Serve as a technical resource and mentor to engineers and designers supporting transportation projects.

Client Leadership & Business Development

• Connect & Represent: Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, including municipalities, counties, and Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), while building strong, long-term relationships.
• Lead & Communicate: Lead client meetings and proactively communicate project progress, risks, and solutions.
• Engage & Present: Represent KL Engineering at public meetings, open houses, and stakeholder engagements.
• Develop & Negotiate: Support proposal development, scope definition, and fee negotiations for transportation projects.
• Identify & Grow: Identify opportunities for additional services and contribute to the growth of KL’s transportation practice in Minnesota.

Project Delivery & Financial Accountability

Plan & Manage: Develop and manage project scopes, schedules, and budgets.

Monitor & Deliver: Track project performance to ensure delivery on time and within budget.

Mitigate & Resolve: Manage project risks and proactively resolve issues to protect scope, schedule, quality, and profitability.

Coordinate & Align: Coordinate internal multidisciplinary teams and external sub-consultants.

• Oversee & Support: Oversee construction phase services including site visits, traffic control coordination, and contractor communication to ensure alignment with design intent.

Track & Account: Maintain accountability for overall project financial performance, including labor utilization and billing.

Collaborate & Contribute: Work within and support an established team of engineers, designers, and technicians.

Mentor & Guide: Provide mentorship and guidance to team members at varying levels of experience.

Plan & Coordinate: Support workload planning and resource coordination across transportation projects.

• Foster & Strengthen: Contribute to a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high-quality service delivery.

What We're Looking For:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related field.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required, or ability to obtain licensure within 6 months.
• Minimum of 10 years of industry experience in transportation engineering, including roadway design, traffic engineering, or related infrastructure projects.
• Experience working with Minnesota local agencies and/or MnDOT preferred. Familiarity with WisDOT or other regional DOTs is a plus given the position’s proximity to the Wisconsin border.
• Prior project management experience is a plus but not required.
• Strong technical foundation in transportation engineering and roadway design principles.
• Familiarity with MnDOT design standards, MUTCD, and applicable Minnesota guidelines. Experience with WisDOT standards is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and guide technical teams.
• Effective client communication and relationship-building skills.
• Financial awareness and understanding of project budgets and performance metrics.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• This position may be based out of our Forest Lake, MN or Menomonie, WI office, and may require occasional travel to project sites and client meetings throughout Minnesota and the western Wisconsin border region.
• The Project Leader will work in a professional office environment and may attend public meetings outside of regular business hours.

Why Choose KL Engineering?

KL Engineering is an award-winning infrastructure-focused engineering firm driven by a commitment to service and technical excellence. We support public, private, municipal, and government clients from our Wisconsin office locations in Madison, Green Bay, Menomonie, and Pewaukee and our Minnesota office in Forest Lake.

KL Engineering builds more than infrastructure—we build lasting relationships. We take the time to understand our clients’ goals and challenges. As a collaborative, client-focused firm, we offer a full range of engineering services with the innovation, flexibility, and personal attention that set us apart. Clear communication and a commitment to quality—on schedule and within budget—are hallmarks of our approach.

Why You’ll Love Working with Us…

At KL Engineering, we’re committed to your well-being, growth, and impact—with a benefits package that reflects just that:

• Generous Paid Time Off & Holidays– Recharge and celebrate with ample time away.
• Flexible & Hybrid Work Options– Work from any of our offices or explore hybrid / remote arrangements.
• Impactful Work– Contribute to meaningful projects that shape communities we serve.
• Career Growth & Development– Choose your path—technical expert, project manager, or both—with support for leadership development, tuition reimbursement, and continuous learning.
• Comprehensive Insurance– Stay protected with medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage.
• 401(k) Retirement & Profit-Sharing Plan– Secure your future with robust savings and company contributions.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Section 125 Plans)– Manage healthcare and dependent care expenses with ease.
• Casual Dress Code– Be yourself and stay comfortable every day.

Our Forest Lake office represents KL Engineering’s continued growth in Minnesota and our commitment to expanding our presence in the region. As our newest location, this office offers the opportunity to be part of a growing team and help shape its future.

Conveniently located along I-35 just north of the Twin Cities, the office provides easy access to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro while maintaining a more relaxed, community-oriented setting.

Located steps from the lake, the office has direct access to the beach, park, walking trails, picnic areas, and a boat launch. Staff regularly take advantage of the setting—whether it’s a quick walk through the park or grabbing a bite at nearby restaurants—blending growth opportunity with a strong quality of life.

KL Engineering is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs—without regard to race, color, age, gender, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran or military status, marital status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. We value a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.