Senior Professional Engineer, Transportation - Highway Design (Technical Lead)

TKDA; Duluth (MN); Hybrid; USD 108,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Benefits

Annual Incentive Plan

401(k) Match

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

Paid Time Off

Job summary

TKDA is seeking a Senior Professional Engineer (Technical Design Lead) in Duluth, MN. This role involves leading complex highway design projects, ensuring high-quality infrastructure solutions that enhance community connectivity. The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of experience in transportation engineering, including strong mentoring and technical delivery skills.

Flexible work arrangements are available, with competitive salary ranging from $108,000 to $151,000 based on experience. Comprehensive benefits include health insurance, a 401(k) match, and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

Qualifications

• Registered Professional Engineer (PE) in Minnesota (or ability to obtain).
• Minimum 10+ years of progressive highway design experience.
• Experience mentoring or providing technical oversight to engineering staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical design delivery for complex highway projects.
• Serve as a technical expert and establish design standards.
• Mentor and develop less experienced engineers.

Skills

Geometric design

Corridor modeling

Plan development

Technical leadership

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Teams, Outlook)

MicroStation

OpenRoads Designer

Job description

As a Senior Professional Engineer (Technical Design Lead), you will serve as a key technical leader within our Highway Design Group, guiding the design and delivery of complex, high‑impact highway projects. This role is ideal for an experienced professional who enjoys leading technical excellence, mentoring teams, and shaping high‑quality infrastructure solutions that improve how communities move and connect.

You will play a critical role in advancing roadway design—from concept through construction—while collaborating across disciplines and partnering with clients to deliver innovative, efficient, and sustainable transportation solutions.

Our 100% employee‑owned firm fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and shared success. Join a team where your technical expertise and leadership directly contribute to both project outcomes and the future of the company.

Flexible work arrangement (3 days in office / 2 days WFH)

What You’ll Do

• Lead technical design delivery: Guide geometric design, corridor modeling, and plan development for complex highway and transportation projects from preliminary engineering through final design
• Serve as a technical expert: Establish and uphold design standards, ensuring consistency, quality, and innovation across projects
• Direct and support project teams: Collaborate with project managers and lead engineers to coordinate engineers, designers, and technicians across multi‑disciplined teams
• Produce and review deliverables: Prepare and oversee complex design calculations, plans, specifications, and quality control reviews
• Mentor and develop talent: Provide technical guidance and coaching to less experienced engineers, supporting growth and knowledge sharing across the team
• Collaborate across disciplines: Partner with traffic, structural (bridge), water resources, and municipal teams to develop integrated solutions
• Engage with clients and agencies: Participate in meetings, reviews, and coordination with project stakeholders and governing agencies
• Support business development efforts: Contribute technical expertise to proposals, project pursuits, and client relationship development as part of a Seller‑Doer culture

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (transportation/highway emphasis preferred)
• Registered Professional Engineer (PE) in Minnesota (or ability to obtain)
• Minimum 10+ years of progressive highway design experience, including technical leadership on complex projects
• Strong experience in geometric design, corridor modeling, and plan development
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical delivery and ensure design quality across multiple projects
• Experience mentoring or providing technical oversight to engineering staff
• Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly convey technical concepts to internal and external stakeholders
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Teams, and Outlook)
• Working knowledge of MicroStation and/or OpenRoads Designer
• Valid Driver’s License with a clean driving record

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience collaborating with a multi‑disciplined team of highway design, traffic, bridge (structural), and water resources engineering professionals
• Desire or demonstrated ability to leverage your technical knowledge to coach, mentor, and develop less experienced engineering professionals
• Working knowledge of MNDOT design and plan standards

$113,000 - $159,000 a year

The listed salary range reflects base pay for candidates with 12-20 years of related experience. Compensation may vary based on experience, qualifications, and responsibilities.

In addition to Bloomington, MN you can find the salary ranges for the following offices:

Duluth, MN - $108,000 - $151,000

Comprehensive Benefits

• Health Benefits: Enjoy medical, dental, vision, and life insurance from day one
• Annual Incentive Plan: Eligible for discretionary bonuses
• HSA Contributions: Receive monthly employer contributions if you choose an HSA‑eligible plan
• 401(k) Match: Get employer matching on your 401(k) deferrals
• ESOP: Benefit from our Employee Stock Ownership Plan, funded entirely by company profits
• Paid Time Off: Accrue PTO based on your professional experience and enjoy eight paid holidays per year

Upon receiving a formal offer, you will get a personalized Total Compensation Overview (TCO) to see how everything adds up and what it looks like to be part of our community.