Senior Project Engineer Transportation

MSA Professional Services, Inc.; Pleasant Valley Township (IA); On-site; USD 89,000 - 142,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP ownership

Flexible work-life integration

Growth opportunities

ENR Top 500 Firm

STIP bonus potential

Job summary

MSA Professional Services, Inc. seeks a Senior Project Engineer – Transportation in Iowa to lead design and delivery of transportation infrastructure projects, focusing on Iowa DOT work.

You will serve as a technical leader, developing safe, constructible designs and mentoring engineers while collaborating with DOT staff, municipalities, contractors, and internal teams. You will guide projects from concept through final design, ensure compliance with DOT standards, manage scope and budgets, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from an ABET-accredited program required.
• 10+ years of progressive roadway design and transportation engineering experience.
• Substantial experience delivering Iowa DOT projects as a consultant required.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in Iowa required.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary design teams through all phases of transportation projects, including concept development, design, and plan preparation.
• Develop and review roadway design plans, drainage designs, utility relocation designs, construction staging plans, and technical reports.
• Ensure project deliverables align with Iowa DOT Bureau of Design and Environment (BDE) requirements, standards, documentation, and workflows.
• Provide advanced technical oversight and QA/QC review of roadway geometrics, storm sewer systems, and related infrastructure components.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Mentoring

Team collaboration

Client liaison

Project management

Education

B.S. Civil Engineering ABET

M.S. Civil Engineering

Tools

MicroStation

OpenRoads Designer

IDOT standards docs

Job description

MSA Professional Services is seeking a Senior Project Engineer – Transportation to lead the design and delivery of transportation infrastructure projects with a focus on Iowa Department of Transportation work.

In this role, you’ll serve as a key technical leader and trusted consultant, developing efficient, safe, and constructible design solutions that meet and exceed DOT standards. You will collaborate closely with agency staff, municipalities, contractors, and internal project teams while mentoring engineers and supporting client relationships.

MSA Professional Services is 100% employee-owned, meaning every employee has a direct stake in the success of the company. This ownership mindset drives our collaborative culture, long‑term thinking, and commitment to delivering high‑quality work for the communities we serve.

Come join the ownership team at MSA!

Employee Testimonial

"As an employee-owned company (100% ESOP), working at MSA is not just a job. We're genuine co‑owners, and this ESOP setup promotes a culture of collaboration and engagement throughout MSA because we all have a direct financial interest as owners."

Responsibilities

Transportation Design Leadership

• Lead multidisciplinary design teams through all phases of transportation projects, including concept development, design, and plan preparation
• Develop and review roadway design plans, drainage designs, utility relocation designs, construction staging plans, and technical reports
• Ensure project deliverables align with Iowa DOT Bureau of Design and Environment (BDE) requirements, standards, documentation, and workflows
• Provide advanced technical oversight and QA/QC review of roadway geometrics, storm sewer systems, and related infrastructure components

Project Management & Delivery

• Manage project scope, schedule, budgets, and resources for transportation design projects
• Anticipate design challenges and implement effective mitigation strategies
• Coordinate multidisciplinary project teams to maintain quality, efficiency, and project momentum
• Support project planning, documentation, and delivery from concept through final design

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Coordinate proactively with Iowa DOT personnel, municipal clients, contractors, and external stakeholders
• Address technical issues, ensure design compliance, and support timely decision-making
• Maintain strong client relationships and serve as a trusted technical partner
• Support business development efforts, including proposals and project pursuits for IDOT and other agency clients

Mentorship & Industry Engagement

• Mentor and coach junior and mid‑level engineers and designers
• Foster skill development, technical excellence, and collaborative project delivery
• Represent MSA at technical conferences and professional events
• Promote MSA’s transportation expertise and commitment to quality design

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from an ABET-accredited program required
• Master’s degree preferred

Experience

• 10+ years of progressive roadway design and transportation engineering experience
• Substantial experience delivering Iowa DOT projects as a consultant required

Licensure

• Professional Engineer (PE) license in Iowa required
• Multi‑state licensure preferred

Skills

• Demonstrated expertise with MicroStation, OpenRoads Designer (ORD), and IDOT-specific standards, documentation, and workflows
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities with proven success managing multidisciplinary design teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience interfacing directly with agency staff, municipal clients, contractors, and external stakeholders
• Solid understanding of project financials, scheduling, and resource management for design projects
• Strong technical judgment and commitment to high‑quality, constructible design solutions

Why MSA

• 100% employee‑owned firm with 100+ years of community impact
• Collaborative culture with in‑house experts for all disciplines across the firm
• Flexible work‑life integration
• Ongoing learning and professional growth opportunities for all positions
• Commitment to fostering a work environment where employees have a strong sense of inclusion and belonging
• Included on the "ENR Top 500 Design Firms" for over 27 straight years

Additional Benefits

Eligible employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Compensation Range: $88,800 –$142,000 a year (commensurate with experience)
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – As a 100% employee-owned company, eligible employees receive company shares at no cost
• Flex Time: Work 42 hours this week? Have 2 hours added to your Flex Time balance to use as time off in the future
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Generous employer match that is immediately 100% vested
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance for employees and eligible dependents
• Paid Time Off – Minimum of 17 days in the first year
• Paid Holidays – 8 holidays annually
• Paid Parental Leave – regardless of birth parent
• Employer-Paid Insurance – Life, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage
• Short-Term Incentive Program (STIP) – Annual performance-based bonus opportunity

Equal Opportunity Employer

MSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

MSA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] so we can assist you.