Senior Highway Design Engineer

GFT; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Wellness programs, parental leave, pet

insurance

401(k)

PTO accrual

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development

Incentive compensation

Job summary

GFT seeks a Senior Highway Design Engineer for its Transportation Team in Downtown Chicago or Schaumburg, IL. This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at our Chicago or Schaumburg offices.

The person will lead plan preparation, geometric design, drainage design, traffic studies and related tasks, collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams using OpenRoads Designer, MicroStation and Geopak.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from ABET-accredited school.
• 3–6 years of professional experience in design or plan production related to transportation engineering.
• Experience with OpenRoads Designer, MicroStation and Geopak.
• EIT certification or licensure within six months.
• Collaborative problem-solving and strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in plan preparation, quantity calculations, geometric design, drainage design, MOT, specifications, and cost estimates.
• Use OpenRoads Designer, MicroStation, and MS Office in collaboration with engineers, technicians, planners, and surveyors.
• Develop detailed plans and specifications; learn quickly and work in a multidisciplinary team.
• May participate in non-design activities such as field data collection.
• Receive instructions from Project Manager or Senior Project Engineers and report workload changes.
• Research design options and report findings to Senior Project Engineer.

Skills

OpenRoads Designer

MicroStation

Geopak

Communication

Education

ABET-accredited Civil Engineering degree

EIT / licensure soon

Tools

OpenRoads Designer

MicroStation

Geopak

Job description

What You Will Do

GFT is seeking a Senior Highway Design Engineer to join our Transportation Team in Downtown Chicago or Schaumburg, IL. This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at our Chicago or Schaumburg offices.

GFT’s Transportation team offers the opportunity to engage in transformative projects that enhance transportation infrastructure and improve community connectivity. Whether working on highways, bridges or traffic engineering, our team excels in resilient, sustainable design and construction, delivering innovative solutions that address the complexities of modern multimodal roadway systems and ensure safe, efficient, and reliable travel for all.

What You’ll Be Challenged To Do

The ideal candidate will be creative and possess the ability to independently solve engineering design issues and take ownership of their work. The ideal candidate will also have strong listening and communication skills and be able to interact with clients and the design team throughout the project lifecycle. This engineer should also have solid writing skills and enjoy being part of a dynamic, growing team of creative professionals.

The person will be a member of our roadway group and will assist in various tasks including plan preparation, quantity calculations, geometric design, pavement marking/signing, drainage design, traffic studies, traffic signal design, public involvement, report writing, specifications, cost estimates and other related tasks. The individual may also be called on to work closely with other teams on multi‑disciplinary projects. The engineer will have the opportunity to work on challenging projects in a unique and dynamic work environment.

In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Assist in various tasks including plan preparation, quantity calculation, geometric design, drainage design, MOT, specifications, cost estimates and other related tasks.
• OpenRoads Designer, Microstation, MS Office and other design software will be used. All work will be in collaboration with other engineers, technicians, planners, and surveyors.
• Candidate with some background in preliminary engineering or development of detailed plans and specifications are preferred; and must possess strong technical skills, be able to learn and adapt quickly, have excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to work well in a team environment on multi‑disciplinary projects.
• May be asked to participate in non‑design engineering activities such as occasional field data collection.
• Receives instructions from Project Manager or Senior Project Engineers as to the general results expected.
• Research design options and document findings for Senior Project Engineer. Keeps Senior Project Manager informed of workload and any changes in project schedule or scope or additional services.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering (or equivalent) from an ABET accredited school.
• 3 - 6 years' professional experience in design or plan production related to transportation engineering.
• Demonstrated professional experience and fundamental skills with OpenRoads Designer, MicroStation and Geopak.
• Certified E.I.T. or able to obtain licensure in the next six months.
• Actively engages multiple perspectives when solving problems, seeks to learn from peers, and encourages reciprocal learning among team members.

What We Prefer You Bring

• Roadway or Transportation related design and plan production experience within the state of Illinois.
• Basic 3D modeling skills and familiarity using OpenRoads Designer.
• Experience with Bluebeam Revu.
• PE preferred.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $80,000-$100,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

Featured Benefits

• Hybrid (in‑person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax‑deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid‑time‑off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations.
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

Company Overview

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.

Equal Opportunity Employer

GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.

Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property of GFT.

Location & Contact

Location: Chicago or Schaumburg, IL

Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Employment Status: Full‑Time

GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.