SENIOR TRAFFIC DESIGN TRANSPORTATION ENGINEER - 10062026-81388

Tennessee Department of Transportation; Jackson (TN); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 118,000; Full time

Job summary

Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) in Jackson, TN seeks a Senior Traffic Design Engineer to lead TDOT's traffic design program and support PDN project delivery across all phases. This role collaborates with multiple TDOT divisions, consultants, and contractors to enhance safety, performance, and sustainability of the state's transportation system.

The incumbent will manage software/tools used in traffic design, implement QA processes, and mentor TDOT staff and external engineers.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in engineering, active status with the State of Tennessee as a professional engineer, and 6 years of demonstrated competency in developing and/or constructing transportation projects

Responsibilities

• Coordinate resources and assist Project Managers as the traffic design Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the management of external partners together with the Professional Services Division, including the negotiation of contracts, review of consultant invoicing, development of scopes, management of contract tasks, compliance monitoring, and completion of consultant grading.
• Integrate Quality Management into all traffic design products, systems, and deliverables.
• Assist in the development and delivery of traffic design training and mentoring of TDOT and external engineering staff. Assist in the development of training and technical guidance that addresses acquired knowledge, risk management, technical design elements, and emerging technologies related to transportation for the purpose of improving team performance, creating a stronger understanding of the transportation industry, inspiring new ideas, and developing skills. Administer and manage TDOT's traffic design program and software.
• Manage and take ownership of change, clarify your vision of TDOT's traffic design efforts, communicate effectively, remain transparent, and hold yourself accountable to develop, maintain, and grow TDOT's traffic design capabilities, data, software, and systems.
• Serve on Project Teams as part of a matrix organization by providing traffic design expertise and reviews, assisting in developing proposal contract documents for project lettings, and contributing to bid reviews and bid analysis for alternative delivery projects.
• Provide exceptional customer service to both internal and external customers, exercising effective listening skills, providing prompt responses, maintaining complete and accurate documentation, and communicating effectively.
• Remain current on traffic design related industry trends and national best practices by participating in AASHTO, industry associations, and other appropriate committees.
• Routinely identify, document, and effectively collaborate with appropriate TDOT and external stakeholders on acquired knowledge that includes maximizing project successes, acknowledging national best practices, and avoiding past errors. Assist with modifications to all applicable policies, procedures, design standards, specifications, and special provisions. Develop and implement a tracking mechanism that ensures the traffic design program, software, and systems are evolving and meet all TDOT needs.
• Assist in ensuring traffic design deliverables are consistent, predictable, and repeatable to provide consistently high levels of achievement, mitigation of risk, and an established track record of success.

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) in Tennessee

Job description

Job Details

Opening Date/Time 10/06/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Closing Date/Time 10/19/2026 11:59PM Central Time

Salary (Monthly) $7,533.00 - $9,794.00

Salary (Annually) $90,396.00 - $117,528.00

Job Type Full-Time

City, State Location Jackson, TN Department Transportation

Location

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, MADISON COUNTY

This position is in the Region 4 - Preconstruction - Traffic Design Section.

More Information

https://www.tdot.tn.gov/PublicDocuments/hr/RegionalPresonstruction-TrafficDesignSection-SeniorTransportationEngineer.pdf

This position has a starting salary of $8,949 monthly / $107,388 annually.

This position may be eligible to work from home two (2) days a week and must report to the office three (3) days, after an initial training period.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS (Education must be from an accredited institution.)

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in engineering, active status with the State of Tennessee as a professional engineer, and 6 years of demonstrated competency in developing and/or constructing transportation projects

Overview

The Senior Traffic Design Engineer will manage TDOT's traffic design program and provide support to Project Teams directly responsible for delivering projects for all phases of the Project Delivery Network (PDN) in accordance with the projects scope, budget, and risk. These projects will range in complexity and risk from simple to highly complex. The senior transportation engineer traffic design role requires collaboration with multiple TDOT divisions, project team members, consultants, contractors, and other external stakeholders. It requires critical thinking and engineering judgment to problem solve and make well-informed decisions that increase the safety, performance, sustainability, and efficient delivery of TDOT's transportation system.

The Senior Traffic Design Engineer ensures compliance with Department policies, technical guidance, and procedures related to TDOT's traffic design program, administers, and manages software and websites to ensure they are current and accurate for incorporation into the project delivery process. This position assists in implementing the Quality Assurance Program as part of the traffic design divisions activities. This position helps support the Region with core traffic services such as traffic signals, signs, traffic markings, roadway lighting, along with other areas such as advanced transportation technologies, traffic modeling, traffic-related safety projects, and work zones.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate resources and assist Project Managers as the traffic design Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the management of external partners together with the Professional Services Division, including the negotiation of contracts, review of consultant invoicing, development of scopes, management of contract tasks, compliance monitoring, and completion of consultant grading.
• Integrate Quality Management into all traffic design products, systems, and deliverables.
• Assist in the development and delivery of traffic design training and mentoring of TDOT and external engineering staff. Assist in the development of training and technical guidance that addresses acquired knowledge, risk management, technical design elements, and emerging technologies related to transportation for the purpose of improving team performance, creating a stronger understanding of the transportation industry, inspiring new ideas, and developing skills. Administer and manage TDOT's traffic design program and software.
• Manage and take ownership of change, clarify your vision of TDOT's traffic design efforts, communicate effectively, remain transparent, and hold yourself accountable to develop, maintain, and grow TDOT's traffic design capabilities, data, software, and systems.
• Serve on Project Teams as part of a matrix organization by providing traffic design expertise and reviews, assisting in developing proposal contract documents for project lettings, and contributing to bid reviews and bid analysis for alternative delivery projects.
• Provide exceptional customer service to both internal and external customers, exercising effective listening skills, providing prompt responses, maintaining complete and accurate documentation, and communicating effectively.
• Remain current on traffic design related industry trends and national best practices by participating in AASHTO, industry associations, and other appropriate committees.
• Routinely identify, document, and effectively collaborate with appropriate TDOT and external stakeholders on acquired knowledge that includes maximizing project successes, acknowledging national best practices, and avoiding past errors. Assist with modifications to all applicable policies, procedures, design standards, specifications, and special provisions. Develop and implement a tracking mechanism that ensures the traffic design program, software, and systems are evolving and meet all TDOT needs.
• Assist in ensuring traffic design deliverables are consistent, predictable, and repeatable to provide consistently high levels of achievement, mitigation of risk, and an established track record of success.

Competencies (KSA's)

• Knowledge of state and federal regulations/requirements for development and construction of transportation projects
• Ability to identify and mitigate risk associated with transportation projects
• Skilled in using critical thinking to problem solve and make informed decisions independently
• Ability to research and explore innovative technical concepts and develop uses for how to apply those concepts to transportation projects
• Ability to communicate effectively, with excellent verbal/written and public speaking skills, and to interact with others in a professional and courteous manner, including internal/external stakeholders, consultants, landowners, and governmental agencies
• Ability to resolve conflicts, coach and motivate others, build high-performing teams, and create a culture of accountability, collaboration, and accomplishment
• Skilled in advanced technical writing