Structural Bridge Engineer

Jacobs; West Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

401(k) plan

Stock purchase plan

Deferred compensation

Job summary

Jacobs in West Des Moines, IA is seeking a Structural Bridge Engineer to design, analyze, and manage transportation bridge projects across Iowa and the Midwest. You will contribute from concept through construction, collaborating with roadways, hydraulics, geotechnical, and construction teams while mentoring junior staff.

The ideal candidate has a Civil Engineering degree with a structural emphasis, 6–10 years of bridge experience, and a PE license in Iowa or the ability to obtain within six

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering with a structural emphasis.
• 6–10 years of bridge engineering experience.
• PE license in Iowa or ability to obtain within six months.
• Experience with AASHTO LRFD and bridge design software.

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze transportation structures including bridges and retaining walls.
• Serve as a key project team member on Iowa/Midwest bridge projects.
• Develop structural calculations, reports, plans, specs, and cost estimates.
• Perform structural analysis using industry-leading software.
• Collaborate with roadway, hydraulic, geotechnical, and construction teams.
• Participate from planning through construction support.

Skills

Bridge design

Structural analysis

AASHTO LRFD

Bridge software

PE lic in IA

Technical reporting

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering

Master's Degree in Civil/Structural Eng

Tools

LEAP Bridge

LEAP Concrete

AASHTOWare BrR

LARSA 4D

MIDAS Civil

MDX

MicroStation

OpenRoads Designer

OpenBridge Modeler

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

At Jacobs, we're not just designing bridges, we're connecting communities, improving mobility, and helping shape the future of infrastructure. As a Structural Bridge Engineer based in West Des Moines, IA you'll have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of exciting transportation projects, from highway interchanges and river crossings to complex bridge rehabilitations and signature structures throughout Iowa and across the country.

This role is ideal for a motivated engineer who is looking to take the next step in their career. You'll work alongside experienced bridge professionals, contribute to impactful projects from concept through construction, and continue building your technical expertise while growing into greater leadership responsibilities.

If you're passionate about bridge design, enjoy solving complex engineering challenges, and want to see your work make a lasting impact on communities, we'd love to have you on our team.

What You’ll Do

• Design and analyze a variety of transportation structures, including highway bridges, river crossings, interchanges, retaining walls, and other transportation infrastructure.
• Serve as a key project team member and technical contributor on bridge projects throughout Iowa and across Jacobs' Midwest transportation portfolio.
• Develop structural calculations, engineering reports, construction plans, specifications, and cost estimates.
• Perform structural analysis and bridge design using industry-leading software and engineering tools.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including roadway, hydraulic, geotechnical, and construction professionals to deliver innovative solutions.
• Participate in projects throughout all phases, from planning and preliminary design to final design and construction support.

Here’s what you’ll need

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering with a structural emphasis
• 6-10 years of bridge engineering experience
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in Iowa or ability to obtain within six months.
• Experience designing transportation structures using AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications.
• Proficiency with bridge analysis and design software such as LEAP Bridge, LEAP Concrete, AASHTOWare BrR, LARSA 4D, MIDAS Civil, MDX, or similar platforms.
• Experience preparing structural calculations, plans, specifications, and technical reports.
• Working knowledge of Bentley MicroStation, OpenRoads Designer, OpenBridge Modeler, or similar design software.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with a passion for engineering excellence.

Ideally, You’ll Also Have

• Master's Degree in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• Experience with both steel and concrete bridge design.
• Experience designing or rehabilitating long-span bridges, river crossings, or complex transportation structures.
• Bridge inspection, maintenance, rehabilitation, or load rating experience.
• Experience working on Iowa DOT projects.
• Experience supporting projects in Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, or other Midwest markets.
• Active involvement in professional organizations such as ASCE, NSBA, IABSE, or ACEC.

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well‑being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full‑time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $95,000.00 to $125,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Job posted on October 01, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.