Senior Highway Design Task Lead

STV Incorporated; Illinois; On-site; USD 147,000 - 168,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Continuing education

Job summary

STV Incorporated in Chicago, IL is seeking a Senior Highway Design Task Lead to own major road projects, guide engineers, and serve as a technical expert. You will drive design quality, mentor junior staff, and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to meet client goals.

The role requires active leadership, strong communication, and deep knowledge of IDOT/Tollway standards. A PE license and senior highway experience are essential for success.

Qualifications

• BS in Civil Engineering and IL PE license required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of complex highway and roadway design projects, ensuring technical excellence and meeting client budgets/schedules.
• Act as a technical authority advising teams on design standards and best practices.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate roadway, structural, drainage and traffic design.
• Oversee execution across multiple projects with accountability and quality control.
• Support PMs with planning, budgeting, client communications and strategy.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers and CAD staff.
• Manage tight deadlines while maintaining quality.
• Stay current with IDOT/Tollway standards and industry advances.

Skills

Highway design leadership

Technical problem solving

Team mentoring

Budget and schedule management

Client communication

Quality control

Deadline management

IDOT/Tollway standards familiarity

Education

BS in Civil Engineering

Illinois PE license

Tools

MicroStation

Geopak

InRoads

OpenRoads Designer

Job description

Senior Highway Design Task Lead — Chicago, IL

Shape the future of transportation with STV. STV’s Chicago Transportation Group is growing, and we’re looking for a Senior Highway Design Task Lead who’s ready to take ownership of major projects, guide talented engineers, and serve as a trusted technical expert. If you thrive in a collaborative environment where your ideas matter and your leadership drives real community impact, this role is for you.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the delivery of complex highway and roadway design projects, ensuring technical excellence while meeting client expectations, budgets, and schedules.
• Act as a key technical authority, advising internal teams on design standards, best practices, and innovative solutions.
• Coordinate seamlessly with multidisciplinary teams to integrate roadway, structural, drainage, and traffic design components.
• Oversee technical execution across multiple concurrent projects, maintaining accountability and quality control.
• Support project managers with planning, budgeting, client communication, and strategic decision‑making.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers and CAD staff, fostering a culture of growth and continuous improvement.
• Manage tight deadlines with confidence, balancing priorities without compromising quality.
• Stay ahead of evolving IDOT/Tollway standards, ensuring designs reflect the latest guidelines and industry advancements.

What We’re Looking For

• BS in Civil Engineering
• Illinois Professional Engineer (PE) license
• 10+ years of highway design experience, including strong familiarity with IDOT/Tollway standards
• Proficiency in MicroStation, Geopak, InRoads, or OpenRoads Designer
• A proactive leader who communicates clearly, solves problems creatively, and elevates the work of those around them

Why Build Your Career at STV?

At STV, you’re not just joining a firm — you’re joining a community of people who care deeply about the work they do and the impact it has.

Career Growth & Flexibility

We don’t believe in rigid ladders. We believe in personalized career paths, mentorship, and opportunities that evolve with your goals. You’ll work on high‑profile, meaningful projects that challenge and inspire you.

Purpose‑Driven Projects

Our work strengthens communities — making transportation systems safer, cleaner, and more resilient. From major infrastructure improvements to transformative mobility initiatives, your designs will have a lasting impact.

Employee‑Centered Benefits

We invest in your success with:

• Full reimbursement for professional licenses (100% after passing)
• Educational assistance for continued learning
• A supportive culture that values balance, well‑being, and long‑term growth

If you want to lead impactful projects, mentor the next generation of engineers, and help shape the future of transportation in Illinois, STV is the place to do it.

Compensation Range: $146,678.11 - $167,632.13

STV offers the following benefits

• Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable)
• Disability insurance
• Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment
• 401(k) Plan
• Retirement Counseling
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Back‑Up Dependent Care
• Parental Leave
• Continuing Education Program
• Professional Licensure and Society Memberships

STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner. The listed pay range is STV’s good‑faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications.

We know great candidates don’t always meet every qualification, and research shows women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they do. At STV, we believe strong talent comes from a wide range of backgrounds, and your skills and experience may align with this or another opportunity as we continue to grow. STV is one of the top infrastructure‑focused professional services firms in North America. Founded in 1912, STV advises, plans, designs, engineers and delivers the infrastructure that powers local economies, including transportation systems, buildings, water and other facilities. Headquartered in New York City, the company has more than 65 offices and 3 400 employees who reimagine the solutions and structures that connect our communities. The firm is ranked 32nd in Engineering News‑Record’s Top 500 Design Firms survey and is 10th in its transportation category. STV is deeply committed to investing in its people and creating a world‑class employee experience. We are passionate about mentoring, coaching and cultivating our talent because we know they are destined to become the next generation of industry leaders. We’re also committed to delivering formative career experiences – and we do that by providing challenging and unique work experiences, by mapping multiple ways to advance (beyond the traditional career ladder!) and by recognizing those who successfully chart new and exciting paths for the firm. We value a wide range of perspectives and experiences, without regard to any factor or characteristic, regardless of whether it is a category protected by federal, state and or local law, making them an integral part of how we work. Our approach ensures that every individual is respected, heard, and given opportunities to contribute meaningfully. We continue to invest in its people and creating a world‑class employee experience. STV provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.