Traffic Engineering Lead – Southern California

Mott MacDonald; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonuses

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) with company matching

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Job summary

Mott MacDonald is seeking an experienced Traffic Engineering Leader to join our Southern California transportation team, based in the Los Angeles area. You will lead technical reviews, mentor engineers, and collaborate with agencies across highways, rail, and transit to deliver complex projects.

You will oversee worksite traffic control and detour planning, engage with LA Metro and Caltrans, and shape the growth of our traffic engineering practice in Southern California.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline.
• California Traffic Engineer (TE) licence required.
• Typically 10+ years of progressive traffic engineering experience.
• Strong experience in worksite traffic control, temporary traffic management, detour planning, and construction traffic operations.
• Experience reviewing and approving traffic control plans for public agency transportation projects.
• Knowledge of California traffic engineering standards, MUTCD, Caltrans requirements, and local agency review processes.
• Experience working with or supporting agencies such as LA Metro, LADOT, Caltrans, California High-Speed Rail, local municipalities, or comparable transportation organisations.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Civil 3D; experience with Civil 3D design workflows is highly desirable.
• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Previous consulting experience is preferred; public-sector agency experience will also be strongly considered.
• Experience supporting major transportation programs, transit systems, rail infrastructure projects, or large-scale event transportation planning is advantageous.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor staff and contribute to team growth.
• Proven ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across geographically dispersed teams.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead for traffic engineering projects across Southern California.
• Lead the review, development, and approval of worksite traffic control plans, transportation management plans, construction phasing strategies, and detour plans.
• Provide technical oversight for LA Metro traffic-control review assignments supporting active and planned capital projects.
• Support California High-Speed Rail and other transportation agencies with traffic engineering reviews, third-party design oversight, and transportation management activities.
• Lead traffic engineering efforts associated with major regional events, including Olympic Games transportation improvements and mobility planning initiatives.
• Review, sign, and seal engineering documents and traffic control plans as required.
• Coordinate with public agencies including LA Metro, LADOT, Caltrans, local municipalities, and other transportation stakeholders.
• Provide technical guidance on traffic operations, temporary traffic control, work zone safety, construction traffic management, and transportation planning.
• Support the development and delivery of traffic engineering design packages using AutoCAD Civil 3D and related software tools.
• Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, quality, and deliverables for assigned projects.
• Act as a client-facing technical advisor and build strong relationships with agency stakeholders and transportation decision-makers.
• Support business development activities, including proposal preparation, technical approaches, interviews, and client presentations.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers and technical staff.
• Help recruit, build, and grow the Southern California traffic engineering team as workloads expand.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across highways, rail, transit, civil infrastructure, and transportation programs.

Skills

Leadership

Client engagement

Mentoring

Independent work

Public-sector experience

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related

California Traffic Engineer license (TE)

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Job description

Mott MacDonald is seeking an experienced Traffic Engineering Leader to join our Southern California transportation team, based in the Los Angeles area. You will lead technical reviews, mentor engineers, and collaborate with agencies across highways, rail, and transit to deliver complex projects.

You will oversee worksite traffic control and detour planning, engage with LA Metro and Caltrans, and shape the growth of our traffic engineering practice in Southern California.