Senior Roadway Design Engineer – IDOT Projects

CDM Smith; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 96,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

CDM Smith in Chicago seeks a Transportation Engineer to lead hands-on roadway design for IDOT projects, applying standards and using ORD for geometric design and plan production. You will review calculations, coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, and help develop specifications and cost estimates.

The role requires a PE license, a Civil/Transportation/Structural background, and about 7 years of related experience, with travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Transportation, or Structural Engineering or related discipline.
• Professional engineering (PE) license.
• 7 years of related experience.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Perform hands-on roadway design for IDOT transportation projects, including highways, interchanges, and complex urban and rural corridors.
• Apply expert knowledge of IDOT Design Manuals, Standards, Specifications, and Guidelines to develop compliant, constructible design solutions.
• Use OpenRoads Designer (ORD) extensively for geometric design, corridor modeling, plan production, and coordination with drainage, traffic, and structural elements.
• Prepare, check, and review roadway geometry, profiles, cross sections, grading, and drainage designs, ensuring accuracy and adherence to IDOT and FHWA requirements.
• Develop and review design calculations related to alignment, sight distance, superelevation, drainage, and other transportation engineering components.
• Review plan sets and technical deliverables, providing detailed technical comments and quality checks prior to submission.
• Coordinate closely with project managers and multidisciplinary teams to ensure seamless integration of roadway, drainage, traffic, utilities, and structures.
• Will develop IDOT project specifications, special provisions, and cost estimates, ensuring consistency with IDOT standards and project scope.
• Support field investigations and site visits, evaluating existing conditions, constructability constraints, and design impacts.
• Respond to IDOT and agency comments, revising designs and documentation as required through design development and final submittals.
• Contribute technically to proposals and IDOT pursuits by providing approach narratives, scope input, and workload estimates.
• Provide day-to-day technical guidance to junior engineers, reviewing their work and offering hands-on mentoring to support skill development and quality outcomes.

Skills

CAD/3D design

Engineering principles

Microsoft Office

Verbal and written communications

Regulations knowledge

Design standards knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Transportation/Structural Engineering

PE license

7 years of related experience

Tools

OpenRoads Designer

Job description

CDM Smith in Chicago seeks a Transportation Engineer to lead hands-on roadway design for IDOT projects, applying standards and using ORD for geometric design and plan production. You will review calculations, coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, and help develop specifications and cost estimates.

The role requires a PE license, a Civil/Transportation/Structural background, and about 7 years of related experience, with travel as needed.