Senior Engineering Manager - Traffic

GAI Consultants Inc; Lisle (IL); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

GAI Consultants Inc. seeks a Senior Engineering Manager with 15+ years of leadership experience to oversee traffic and engineering projects. This role involves managing multidisciplinary teams, coordinating with state agencies, and delivering complex design solutions on-site or in a hybrid setup at Midwest offices.

A Professional Engineer license is required, with reciprocity to additional states. The position emphasizes leadership, budgeting, client liaison, and staff development to support

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in engineering project management.
• Experience with state agencies and design-build is preferred.
• PE Registration is required with reciprocity in multiple states.

Responsibilities

• Oversee engineers in plan development, financial monitoring, and client representation.
• Lead projects with complex features and integrate sustainability and risk analysis.
• Manage project objectives, budgets, and team performance across practice areas.

Skills

Leadership

Project oversight

Communication

Negotiation

Financial acumen

Education

B.S. or M.S. Engineering

Tools

Professional Engineer (P.E.)

Job description

GAI Consultants is seeking a Senior Engineering Manager with 15+ years of experience in managing traffic and engineering projects. Join GAI and make your mark among a team of engineering, planning, and environmental consultants who provide innovative solutions to energy, transportation, development, government, and industrial clients worldwide. GAI is the right place for talented and motivated individuals who seek to distinguish themselves in a company poised for unlimited growth. This position will be on-site or hybrid at any of our Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, or West Virginia Offices and will be eligible for a sign-on bonus.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience working with State Agencies is required; additional state and local government experience, as well as Design-Build expertise, is preferred.
• The successful candidate will be responsible for the oversight of engineers in the development of plans, financial monitoring, and acting as GAI’s client representative.
• PE Registration is required with ability to attain PE in additional surrounding states.

General Characteristics

• Uses creativity, foresight, and mature judgment to anticipate and solve new problems.
• Practice activities and culture.
• Sets priorities and reconciles directions from competing interests.
• Leads projects with complex features with work performed directly, or by others.
• Integrates engineering economics and risk analysis into the solutions of complex engineering problems.
• Integrates solutions to complex problems across specialty areas.
• Demonstrates leadership.

Minimum Years of Experience

• 15+ Years

Education

• B.S. or M.S. Engineering, Master's Degree or Equivalent Experience Preferred

Certification/Licensure

• Professional Engineer (P.E.) License, reciprocity in multiple states.

Technical Responsibilities

• Frequently develops standards and guidelines.
• Leads a project in the practice in their area of specialization.
• Frequently develops appropriate design alternatives for complex engineering projects that consider realistic requirements, constraints, community input, permitting, and other regulatory constraints.
• Integrates advanced concepts, including sustainability, to solve complex problems.

Project and Task Management

• Frequently oversees technical, legal, and financial issues of an entire project.
• Recommends facilities, personnel, and funds required to carry out projects.
• Integrates these components into a complete project management plan for a complex engineering project.
• Implements effective teamwork and leadership principles into solutions for engineering problems.
• Determines project objectives and requirements.
• May serve as the Project Manager for certain projects with prior approval from GAI's President up to $150,000 per year.

Management Responsibility

• Supervises a major practice segment or several teams.
• Receives administrative supervision with assignments given in terms of broad general objectives and limits.
• Implements staff development plans within their practice segment, including technical, management, and leadership skills.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of leaders and teams.

Communication Skills

• Possesses exceptional oral and written communication skills, including negotiation of critical issues.
• Integrates different forms of effective and persuasive communication to technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Demonstrates financial acumen and familiarity with legal issues related to engineering practice.
• Initiates and maintains extensive contacts with key engineers and officials.

Why GAI?

GAI offers an exceptional place to do meaningful work, grow your career, and make a real impact in communities nationwide. You’ll join a collaborative, multidisciplinary firm bringing together engineering, planning, and environmental expertise to deliver projects across transportation, infrastructure, power, and energy markets. Working alongside accomplished colleagues, you’ll help move projects from vision through construction, creating solutions that keep people moving, power essential systems, and support responsible development.

At GAI, you’ll work in a team-driven environment grounded in integrity, respect, and shared success, with the flexibility, resources, and career support that reflect a real and lasting commitment to our people. That commitment includes comprehensive benefits, wellness programs, and employee discounts. With opportunities across the U.S., GAI offers the collaboration and client focus of regional teams, supported by the stability, resources, and career-development opportunities of an established and growing firm.

Benefits To Working at GAI Include:

Competitive Pay & Recognition

• Performancedriven recognition and development bonuses
• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability
• Company-paid life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program and wellness resources
• Generous paid time off + 7 paid holidays
• Anadditionalfloating holiday—use it for what matters to you
• Paid maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• 401(k) with company match
• Support and rewards for professional development and certifications

#GAI

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Engineering or related field.

Experience

Required

15 years:

15 years: Related Experience

Licenses & Certifications

Required

Driver's License

Professional Engineer

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.