Project Leader – Transportation WI Focus – Madison

KL Engineering, Inc.; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Paid Time Off

Flexible & Hybrid Work Options

Career Growth & Development

Comprehensive Insurance

401(k) Retirement & Profit-Sharing Plan

Casual Dress Code

Job summary

KL Engineering, Inc. is seeking a Project Leader – Transportation in Madison, Wisconsin. This role focuses on providing technical leadership and managing client relationships while overseeing a range of transportation projects.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 10 years' experience in transportation engineering and a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. A Professional Engineer license is required. The position offers opportunities for career growth and flexible working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of industry experience in transportation engineering.
• Experience with Wisconsin local agencies and/or WisDOT preferred.
• Strong technical foundation in transportation engineering and roadway design principles.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical direction and oversight for projects.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients.
• Develop and manage project scopes, schedules, and budgets.
• Monitor project performance to ensure delivery on time and within budget.

Skills

Technical Leadership

Client Relationship Management

Project Management

Problem-Solving

Decision-Making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Job description

The Project Leader – Transportation provides technical leadership, client relationship management, and overall delivery accountability for a wide range of transportation projects in Wisconsin, 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 WisDOT 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 Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), 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 Wisconsin.

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 Wisconsin local agencies and/or WisDOT preferred.
• Prior project management experience is a plus but not required.
• Strong technical foundation in transportation engineering and roadway design principles.
• Familiarity with WisDOT design standards, MUTCD, and applicable Wisconsin guidelines.
• 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 require occasional travel to project sites and client meetings throughout Wisconsin.
• 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…

• 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.

As KL Engineering’s largest office, our Madison location offers a dynamic, collaborative environment with access to a wide range of expertise across disciplines. Located in a vibrant and growing city, the office is just minutes from downtown Madison, the University of Wisconsin campus, and an abundance of restaurants, parks, and lakes.

Convenient access to the Beltline (US 12/18) makes commuting from across the Madison area simple and efficient.

Madison consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in the Midwest, offering a strong balance of career opportunity and quality of life. Employees in this office benefit from being at the center of firm leadership, major projects, and cross-functional collaboration.

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.