TRAFFIC OPERATIONS ENGINEER

Gfoat; Richardson (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Gfoat seeks a Traffic Operations Engineer to lead the city's Advanced Traffic Management System under the Transportation and Mobility Assistant Director. You will develop, administer, and manage safe, efficient traffic operations for Richardson.

The role supervises staff, reviews design plans, configures and troubleshoots signal devices, and maintains the central management software. This position also handles data studies and grants related to traffic operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
• Texas PE license required or must attain within six months of appointment.
• Professional Traffic Operations Engineer certification preferred.
• Texas Driver's License, Class C, required.

Responsibilities

• Manage engineering support for traffic signal operations, performance monitoring, and system improvements.
• Review, prepare, and evaluate traffic engineering design plans for accuracy and compliance with city standards.
• Provide traffic signal operation and design services, including configuring, programming, and troubleshooting devices.
• Maintain, operate, and optimize the central traffic signal management software and field devices.
• Respond to citizen, vendor, and staff inquiries with timely, professional assistance.
• Conduct traffic data collection, field evaluations, and traffic studies to support decisions and planning.
• Supervise assigned staff with leadership, guidance, and performance oversight.
• Administer projects and grants related to traffic operations and infrastructure improvements.
• Perform related duties and occasional after-hours work as needed.

Skills

Engineering techniques

Synchro

Independent work

Decision making

Oral communication

Written communication

Stakeholder interaction

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering (ABET-accredited)

Texas PE license or within 6 months

Professional Traffic Operations Engineer certification preferred

Texas Driver's License (Class C)

Tools

Synchro

Traffic operation software

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the Transportation and Mobility Assistant Director (Traffic Engineer), the Traffic Operations Engineer develops, administers, and manages the City's Advanced Traffic Management System in accordance with established engineering principles and operational guidelines. The position supervises assigned staff and performs related technical and administrative duties to support safe, efficient, and reliable traffic operations throughout the City.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Manage and provide engineering support for key division functions, including traffic signal system operations, traffic performance monitoring and system improvements, video traffic monitoring, communication systems, and signal timing plans.
• Review, prepare, and evaluate traffic engineering design plans to ensure accuracy, compliance, and alignment with city standards.
• Provide traffic signal operation and signal design services, including configuring, programming, and troubleshooting traffic signal devices and associated hardware.
• Maintain, operate, and optimize the City's central traffic signal management system software, ensuring reliable system performance and communication between field devices.
• Respond to inquiries and service requests from citizens, vendors, and internal staff, providing timely and professional assistance.
• Conduct traffic data collection, field evaluations, and traffic engineering studies to support operational decisions and long-range planning.
• Supervise assigned staff, providing leadership, training, guidance, and performance oversight.
• Administer and manage projects and grants related to traffic operations, signal systems, and related infrastructure improvements.
• Perform additional departmental duties involving transportation engineering, traffic management, and transportation planning as assigned.
• Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of environmental conditions, including extreme heat or cold, temperature fluctuations, heights, and high-noise areas. Safely navigate and work within active traffic and construction zones using appropriate safety precautions.
• Maintain visual and auditory acuity sufficient for safe fieldwork, equipment operation, and traffic observation.
• Communicate courteously and effectively in English, in person, by phone, and in writing with city staff, officials, vendors, and the public.
• Demonstrate a willingness to learn, adaptability, and strong interpersonal skills to support team collaboration and effective public service.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

• Supervise and evaluate subordinate employees when appropriate.
• Responds to emergency situations, traffic incidents, and inclement weather events as needed, providing technical support, field assessments, and operational adjustments to ensure the continued safety and functionality of the City’s transportation network.
• This role may require occasional attendance outside standard business hours due to operational necessity.
• Performs other related work as required.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, DEGREES, CERTIFICATES AND/OR LICENSES

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering is required from a University with an engineering program accredited by the Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology.
• Professional Engineer registration in Texas is required, or must attain registration within six (6) months of appointment.
• Professional Traffic Operations Engineer certification is preferred.
• Texas Driver's License, Class C, required.

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS

• Five years of progressively responsible traffic and transportation engineering experience required, preferably with a municipality, county or state government.
• Must understand and be able to apply engineering techniques for progressive traffic movement using networked computer hardware and software.
• Must be proficient in Synchro and other traffic operation software.
• Must have ability to work effectively independently, with ability to carry on a job from inception to conclusion and produce results within deadlines.
• Must display good decision-making ability.
• Good oral and written communication skills are required.
• Ability to frequently interact with internal staff, contractors, government agencies, and the public effectively.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities related to deadlines, project schedules, and emergency traffic issues.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Primarily works in an office environment with regular fieldwork required.
• Office work involves using computers, engineering software, and communication tools to analyze data, prepare reports, and design traffic solutions.
• Fieldwork may include exposure to outdoor weather conditions, inclement weather, traffic noise, dust, and uneven terrain while observing traffic operations, performing inspections, or collecting data.