Senior Mechanical Engineer

Oregon Department of Transportation; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 91,000 - 141,000; Full time

Job summary

The Oregon Department of Transportation in Salem is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to join the Bridge Preservation Unit as a technical lead in fracture mechanics and fatigue for steel and movable bridges. You will coordinate inspection, materials testing, and non-destructive testing programs while advising on repairs or replacements.

The role emphasizes leadership, collaboration with design engineers and consultants, and developing standards to improve fatigue life and maintenance

Qualifications

• Professional Engineer license in mechanical engineering or ability to obtain in Oregon within six months of hire.
• Three years of licensed experience or equivalent under the industrial exemption.
• If licensed in another state, must obtain a temporary permit to practice within six months from date of hire.

Responsibilities

• Develop and operate a program using fracture mechanics analysis and non-destructive testing to identify fatigue life of steel bridge members.
• Develop and operate a program for thorough inspection and materials testing for fracture critical steel bridge members including setting an appropriate inspection schedule.
• Evaluate, design and provide specialized inspection of movable bridge machinery and mechanical systems.
• Develop scope of work and criteria for selecting consultants for outsourcing projects.
• Investigate new materials for use in structures to increase fatigue life and corrosion resistance to decrease maintenance costs.
• Prepare a needs statement for research projects to identify gaps and potential benefits of new or current materials and design approaches.
• Provide consultation to other design engineers, consultants or resident engineers on fracture mechanics behavior of steel and welded connections, and for developing member repairs or replacement.
• Train other designers and engineers in mechanical engineering and welding design.
• Develop non-destructive testing methods to help refine bridge load rating and assess the condition of bridges more accurately.
• Provide technical input for revising or developing design standards to improve fatigue life of steel bridges.
• Support region staff in project development and scoping.

Skills

Fracture mechanics

Fatigue analysis

Lead engineer

Welding design

Job description

Job Description

Professional Engineer 2 – Senior Mechanical Engineer

Oregon Department of Transportation

Bridge Engineering Section / Bridge Preservation Unit

Salem

The Role

We are recruiting for a senior mechanical engineer to join our team in Salem! In this role, you will be part of our Bridge Preservation Unit as a technical lead in the field of fracture mechanics and fatigue for steel and movable bridges in Oregon. With a fewer number of bridges being replaced, it is vital that we continue to focus on maintaining the current highway system as functional as possible. As bridges in our inventory age, there will be more emergency repair needs. You will play an important role in supporting this work. You will also be responsible for coordinating our effort in developing inspection, materials testing, and non-destructive testing programs for our Bridge Engineering Section. We provide a safe and reliable multimodal transportation system that connects people and helps Oregon's communities and economy thrive. We encourage people from all backgrounds and abilities to apply for our positions.

Job Details

Initial Posting Date: 10/08/2026

Application Deadline: 11/05/2026

Agency: Department of Transportation

Salary Range: $8,159 - $12,658

Position Type: Employee

Position Title: Senior Mechanical Engineer

A Day In The Life

• Develop and operate a program using fracture mechanics analysis and non-destructive testing to identify the fatigue life of steel bridge members.
• Develop and operate a program for thorough inspection and materials testing for fracture critical steel bridge members including setting an appropriate inspection schedule.
• Evaluate, design and provide specialized inspection of movable bridge machinery and mechanical systems.
• Develop scope of work and criteria for selecting consultants for outsourcing projects.
• Investigate new materials for use in structures to increase fatigue life and corrosion resistance to decrease maintenance costs.
• Prepare a needs statement for research projects to identify gaps and to identify potential benefits of new or current materials and design approaches.
• Provide consultation to other design engineers, consultants or resident engineers on fracture mechanics behavior of steel and welded connections, and for developing member repairs or replacement.
• Train other designers and engineers in mechanical engineering and welding design.
• Develop non-destructive testing methods to help refine bridge load rating and assess the condition of bridges more accurately.
• Provide technical input for revising or developing design standards to improve fatigue life of steel bridges.
• Support region staff in project development and scoping.
• Work in an office environment with hybrid options available and occasional overnight travel required – frequency of remote work will be discussed with hiring manager upon hire.
• Field work may require working in all weather conditions and walking next to traffic, stooping, bending or climbing around hazardous locations and working 20 feet or more above ground, traffic, railways or water.
• To request a copy of the position description, which includes all duties and working conditions, please email [e-mail].

What’s In It For You

• Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, flexible work schedules, paid leave and so much more. Learn more about working at the Oregon Department of Transportation and the benefits we offer.
• Comprehensive and equitable base salary offer within the listed range. Through an equal pay assessment, we will determine the salary offer using the information you provide in your submitted application materials. Please ensure your application materials are detailed, accurate and reflect your skills, experience (paid and unpaid) and education as they relate to the position when applying.
• The salary range listed is the non-PERS monthly salary range. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6%.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness opportunity!

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a mechanical engineering (ME) license OR the ability to obtain license in the state of Oregon within six months of hire, AND three years of licensed experience that would provide the required knowledge and skills to perform the responsibilities of the position.

Mechanical engineering experience covered by the industrial exemption may be considered in lieu of the three years of licensed experience.

If registered in another state, successful applicants will be required to obtain a temporary permit to practice engineering, pursuant to ORS 672.109, within six months from date of hire.

Special Qualifications

Driving is an essential function of this position. You must have a valid U.S. driver license and an acceptable driving record. We will conduct pre-employment driving records checks on our final candidate(s). Your license does not have to be issued in Oregon to be considered.

What We’d Like To See

If you have these attributes, let us know in your application materials! It's how we will choose whom to move forward! You do not need to have all these qualities to be eligible for this position. We may also use transferable skills, experience and education to help us decide who will move forward.

• A current, valid professional engineer’s license in mechanical engineering.
• Knowledge of weldment design, metallurgy, fracture mechanics, and fatigue of steel members and structures.
• Experience in analysis, evaluation, and instrumentation that could be used to determine the remaining life of steel bridge members.
• Experience in analysis and design for movable bridge machinery and mechanical systems.
• Experience in planning repair actions or replacement of deteriorated steel components.
• Experience as a lead engineer with responsibility for a project or program.

Need help?

For questions, call 971-273-8687 or email [e-mail].

Additional Information

• We do not offer visa sponsorship. If you are hired, you will be required to fill out the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming you are able to work in the US. We are not an E-Verify participating employer, and we are unable to proceed if E-Verify participation is required [e.g., STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) Extension].
• The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an education institution during the application process.
• We may use this recruitment to fill multiple or future vacancies.
• We will conduct name-based criminal background checks on final candidates, not including current ODOT employees. All applicants may be subject to additional pre-employment check(s) such as driver license, LEDS (Law Enforcement Data System), and/or education verification as required for the position.
• You will be represented by the Association of Engineering Employees of Oregon (AEE).

ODOT is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or any other class protected by state or federal laws in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring, and employment practices. Applicants with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. For questions, concerns, or complaints regarding EEO/AA/ADA, contact 1-877-336-6368 (1-877-EEO-ODOT). This information can be made available in an alternative format by contacting ODOT Recruitment at 503-986-3700. Oregon Relay Service can be reached by calling 7-1-1.

Mechanical Engineering, Government Jobs, Professional Engineer, PE License, Bridge Engineering