Structural Bridge Inspection Team Leader

Hardesty & Hanover; Hoboken (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits package

401(k)

Job summary

Hardesty & Hanover seeks a Structural Bridge Inspection Team Leader to manage NBIS-compliant inspections across New Jersey, leading field teams and coordinating with agencies such as NJDOT and Port Authority. The role emphasizes safety, accuracy, and regulatory compliance while overseeing documentation and reporting.

The candidate will supervise field teams, ensure adherence to FHWA NBIS standards, and contribute to proposals and client presentations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or Structural Engineering.
• Active Professional Engineer license in New York or New Jersey.
• Minimum of three years of bridge inspection experience meeting FHWA NBIS Team Leader qualification requirements.
• Recent experience with NJDOT, NJTA, Port Authority of NY & NJ or similar agencies (preferred).
• FHWA or NHI-approved comprehensive bridge inspection training and required refresher or NSTM courses.
• Demonstrated experience leading NBIS-compliant inspections for public agency clients.
• Strong knowledge of NBIS regulations, AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation, SNBI element ratings, condition assessment, and flagging procedures.
• Physical capability to perform demanding field work, including working at heights, in confined spaces, around traffic, and in varying weather conditions.
• Experience with rope access, climbing inspection methods, or underwater inspection is a plus.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to lead field teams effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead NBIS-compliant routine, in-depth, special, emergency, fracture-critical, and underwater inspections as applicable.
• Coordinate field inspection teams and oversight in accordance with FHWA NBIS and agency requirements.
• Conduct detailed field inspections of bridges, culverts, retaining walls, and related structures using appropriate access equipment.
• Prepare and review inspection documentation, including field notes, sketches, and photographs.
• Oversee submission of inspection reports, NBI/SNBI data, and repair recommendations.
• Coordinate inspection logistics with team leads, inspectors, vendors, and subcontractors.
• Communicate findings and project status with clients and agency representatives.

Skills

Team Leadership

NBIS Inspection

Field Inspections

Safety Compliance

Technical Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering

Tools

Access Equipment

Job description

H&H is seeking a Structural Bridge Inspection Team Leader to join the firm’s New Jersey Asset Management team in multiple NJ office locations. H&H is expanding its bridge inspection and structural evaluation services to address growing client demands in the Structural and Transportation sectors across New Jersey, including NJDOT, NJ Turnpike Authority (NJTA), NJ Transit (NJT), Port Authority of NY&NJ, and other regional agencies. The Team Leader is responsible for leading NBIS-compliant inspections of complex bridges and structures while ensuring safety, accuracy, and full compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.

This role serves as the qualified inspection Team Leader for routine, in-depth, special, and emergency inspections and provides technical oversight for field teams performing inspections for major agencies, including NYSDOT, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, TBTA, NYCDOT, and other regional clients. We are

H&H is a nationally recognized, full-service infrastructure engineering firm delivering innovative solutions that move communities forward. With more than 139 years of experience and over 600 professionals across 32 offices nationwide, we combine deep technical expertise with the agility of a privately owned firm. From planning and design through construction, we manage the full project life cycle while continually advancing our capabilities, strengthening our national presence, and investing in the people who power our growth. At H&H, you’ll join a firm that is building on its legacy by aligning expertise, expanding opportunity, and positioning itself for long-term, sustainable growth.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the qualified Team Leader for NBIS-compliant routine, in-depth, special, emergency, fracture-critical, and underwater inspections as applicable
• Lead and supervise field inspection teams in accordance with FHWA National Bridge Inspection Standards, AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation, NJDOT Bridge Inspection Manual, and agency-specific requirements
• Conduct detailed field inspections of bridges, culverts, overhead signs, retaining walls, and other structures using appropriate access equipment in varying weather, traffic, and field conditions
• Evaluate and document bridge conditions including element-level ratings, critical findings, fatigue-prone details, scour conditions, nonredundant steel tension members, and structural deficiencies
• Prepare and review inspection documentation including field notes, sketches, photographs, and electronic data entries
• Oversee preparation and submission of inspection reports, NBI and SNBI data, flagging documentation, and repair or rehabilitation recommendations
• Coordinate inspection logistics with Assistant Team Leaders, inspectors, access equipment vendors, traffic control personnel, and subcontractors
• Communicate inspection findings and project status with clients and agency representatives
• Ensure inspection deliverables are accurate, complete, properly signed and sealed, and submitted in accordance with regulatory deadlines
• Maintain current knowledge of evolving NBIS requirements, FHWA guidance, AASHTO interims, and state-specific inspection policies
• Support use of emerging inspection technologies including UAV operations and digital modeling where applicable
• Contribute technical input to proposals and client presentations related to bridge inspection services

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or Structural Engineering
• Active Professional Engineer license in New York or New Jersey
• Minimum of three years of bridge inspection experience meeting FHWA NBIS Team Leader qualification requirements
• Recent experience with NJDOT, NJTA, Port Authority of NY & NJ or similar agencies (preferred)
• FHWA or NHI-approved comprehensive bridge inspection training and required refresher or NSTM courses
• Demonstrated experience leading NBIS-compliant inspections for public agency clients
• Strong knowledge of NBIS regulations, AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation, SNBI element ratings, condition assessment, and flagging procedures
• Physical capability to perform demanding field work, including working at heights, in confined spaces, around traffic, and in varying weather conditions
• Experience with rope access, climbing inspection methods, or underwater inspection is a plus
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to lead field teams effectively

We offer a professional work environment, a competitive salary, a benefits package, and 401(k)