Structural Project Engineer - Transportation (Bridge Inspection)

LJA Engineering, Inc.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO

Health & dental benefits

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Referral bonuses

Volunteer days

Professional development memberships

Internal mobility

Fun culture

Job summary

LJA Engineering, Inc. in Houston, TX, seeks a Project Engineer to lead planning and field inspection of bridges and transportation structures. You will prepare inspection reports and evaluate structures, coach junior staff, and perform load ratings using standard NBIS methods.

Depending on qualifications, you may inspect other structures and contribute to repairs and maintenance plans. You will work with inspectors to ensure adherence to state practices and NBIS requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Texas.
• Qualified Bridge Inspection Team Lead in Texas.
• 7+ years of progressive structural engineering experience.
• 4+ years NBIS bridge inspection experience; Texas experience desired.
• NBIS and SNBI familiarity; NBIS to serve as Team Lead.
• Proficiency with load ratings and load rating software.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical resource for bridge inspections.
• Develop, train, and lead inspection staff.
• Plan, schedule, and perform bridge inspections.
• Prepare or review bridge inspection reports.
• Perform or check load ratings.
• Implement quality-control updates for bridge inspections.
• Inspect other transportation structures as needed.
• Conduct condition assessments of bridges and structures.
• Prepare bridge repair and rehabilitation plans.

Skills

NBIS bridge inspection experience

Load rating software

Mentoring staff

Strong communication

Cross-functional partnership

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Licensed Professional Engineer in Texas

Qualified Bridge Inspection Team Lead in Texas

Tools

Load rating software

NBIS/SNBI protocols

Job description

WHAT MAKES LJA DIFFERENT

At LJA, our employee-owners take pride in their work and their workplace. We’re guided by leaders who foster a culture of respect, collaboration and a shared vision of success. Our difference is evident in the experiences and opportunities we provide:

• Employee-owned. Client-focused
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Top Workplace
• Internal recruitment team, in-house training, and a marketing department specific to our industry
• We celebrate flexibility, allowing every team and office to lead with their proven approach
• Our culture champions continuous learning and personal growth
• We believe success comes through constant evolution and communication
• We are passionate about having fun and making money, all while creating impact

POSITION OVERVIEW:

As a Project Engineer at LJA Transportation, you will be responsible for leading the planning and field inspection of bridges and prepare bridge inspection reports and evaluations of other transportation structures. You will collaborate with a team of inspectors and train junior staff in field inspection activities and state specific practices. Depending on your qualifications, you may perform inspections of other structure types and utilize traditional and advanced NDE methods in support of inspections of bridges and other transportation structures. You will perform load ratings of existing structures. Other activities may include design of repairs and maintenance plans.

A TYPICAL DAY MIGHT INCLUDE:

• Serving as technical resource for bridge inspections
• Developing, training, and leading inspection staff
• Planning, scheduling, and performing bridge inspections
• Preparing or reviewing bridge inspection reports
• Performing or checking load ratings
• Implementing procedural updates for quality control of bridge inspections
• Performing inspections of other transportation structures
• Performing condition assessments of bridges and other transportation structures
• Preparing bridge repair and rehabilitation plans

REQUIRED EDUCATION/LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering
• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Texas
• Qualified Bridge Inspection Team Lead in the State of Texas

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 7+ years of progressive structural engineering experience
• 4+ years of NBIS bridge inspection experience. Experience performing bridge inspections in Texas is desired
• Recent experience with National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) and Specifications for National Bridge Inspection (SNBI)
• Current on NBIS Requirements to Serve as a Qualified Team Lead
• Proficiency with load ratings and load rating software

IDEALLY, YOU SHOULD ALSO HAVE:

• Strong attention to detail, exceptional work ethic, and proven ability to mentor others
• Strong communication and cross‑functional partnership skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

LEVEL UP WITH LJA

At LJA, we’re 100% employee‑owned. This drives results, rewards ambition and supports long‑term success for every team member. With almost 100 locations and 3,000+ employee‑owners (and growing), we’re building something big! We want you to be part of it. Your future grows here.

• Generous Time Off: PTO, paid holidays, and a full office closure between Christmas and New Year’s.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Multiple plan options for health, dental, and pets. Along with mental health support.
• Family Support: Paid maternity and parental leave to help you focus on what matters most.
• Education Support: Tuition reimbursement and in‑house courses provided by our Learning and Development team.
• Referral Bonuses: Know great talent? Get rewarded for helping us grow.
• Community Impact: Company‑sponsored volunteer days and philanthropic initiatives.
• Professional Development: Memberships to industry organizations to keep you connected and growing.
• Career Growth: Great internal mobility opportunities to advance your career.
• Fun Culture: LJA social events, employee sports teams, bring your kid to work day, etc.

To Executive Search Firms & Staffing Agencies: LJA, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes from any agencies that have not signed a service agreement. All unsolicited resumes will be considered LJA's property. This includes resumes submitted directly to hiring managers without contacting LJA's Human Resources Talent Department.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.