Trainee-Graduate Engineer

State of Minnesota; BLOOMINGTON (MN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Minnesota's Transportation Department is seeking Trainee-Graduate Engineers for a 2-year rotation program across Minnesota locations, including Baxter, Duluth, Mankato, Rochester, St. Cloud, St. Paul and Metro Area sites.

Trainees gain hands-on engineering experience through rotating assignments in Construction, Design, Materials, and more. Successful candidates pursue FE/PE certification, complete required rotations, and are supported by mentorship and a broad professional network.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geo-engineering, or Structural Engineering from an ABET-accredited college/university.
• GPA higher than 2.5
• A valid class D driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the Minnesota DOT Graduate Engineer Training Program consisting of 2-year rotations.
• Rotations through Construction, Design, Materials, Project Management, Traffic, or Water Resources.
• Bridge office tracks through Bridge Design/Construction/Foundations/Pre-Design/Scoping/Fracture Critical Inspections/Hydraulics.

Education

ABET-accredited Civil Engineering degree

Job description

Working Title: Trainee-Graduate Engineer

Job Class: Trainee-Graduate Engineer

Agency: Transportation Dept

• Job ID : 96190
• Location : Various
• Telework Eligible : No
• Full/Part Time : Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary : Trainee
• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted : 09/03/2026
• Closing Date : 11/18/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Transportation Dept / DOT-Metro-Central Off-MGEC
• Division/Unit : Workforce and Agency Services/Human Resources/Career Pathways Programs
• Work Shift/Work Hours : Flexible
• Days of Work : Monday - Friday
• Travel Required : Occasional
• Salary Range: $28.59- $42.16 / hourly; $59,696 - $88,030 / annually
• Classified Status : Non-Status
• Bargaining Unit/Union : 212 - MN Govt Engineers Council/Engineers
• Last Incumbent : Multiple
• Supervisor Name : Desiree Doud
• FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : No

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

** The Minnesota Department of Transportation does not sponsor applicants for work visas or Optional Practical Training Extensions for STEM Students. Individuals must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. at the start of employment.

This vacancy will be used to fill multiple Trainee-Graduate Engineer positions. Trainee positions may include the following locations throughout the state of Minnesota:

• Baxter
• Duluth
• Mankato
• Rochester
• St. Cloud
• St. Paul
• The 5-county Metro Area - Maplewood (Materials and Road Research), Oakdale (Bridge), Roseville (CAV-X, Design, Traffic, Project Management), Golden Valley (Construction), etc.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation's Graduate Engineer Training Program is a 2-year rotation program. Trainees participate in the program for up to 2 years, gaining professional engineering experience by completing a series of 3 to 6-month-long rotations. Trainees rotate through functional areas such as Construction (6 months is required and you will work overtime during this rotation), Design (6 months is required), Materials, Project Management, Traffic, or Water Resources. Trainees hired to work in the Bridge office will rotate through functional areas such as Bridge Design, Construction, Foundations, Pre-Design, Scoping, Fracture Critical Inspections, or Hydraulics. All Trainees are supported with structured mentorship, training opportunities, and a large support network of professional engineers engaged in the Trainee’s growth and development as an engineer.

The selected Trainee(s) will begin employment after all educational requirements have been met. Typical cohort start dates are January and May of each year.

To complete the program, a Trainee must:

• Complete 2 years of professional engineering experience
• Achieve a passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
• Complete and demonstrate satisfactory performance in all rotations
• Complete all required rotations – Design, Construction and an outstate rotation
• Complete 20 hours of recruitment outreach and/or public engagement service

After all criteria are met, the Trainee will be non-competitively converted to a permanent, probationary Engineer 2 Graduate position in the trainee’s permanent (home base) office. All Trainees must become a registered Professional Engineer within 6 years of being appointed as a Trainee. To receive credit for your education and experience, your resume must clearly describe your experience in the areas listed and indicate the beginning and ending months and years for each job held.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geo-engineering, or Structural Engineering from an ABET-accredited college/university or equivalent as rated by EAC/NCEES by the date of hire, or a closely related engineering degree with much of the class time devoted to civil engineering coursework. If the selected candidate does not currently possess a bachelor’s degree, all offers of employment will be contingent upon successful completion of this requirement. Candidates may apply to the Program during their junior year of a 4-year degree, or any time after.
• GPA higher than 2.5
• A valid class D driver's license.

Applicants will be evaluated for an interview based on the following: (1) applicant’s GPA; (2) an advanced degree in civil engineering or a closely related field; (3) possession of the Fundamentals of Engineering certification or a Professional Engineers license; (4) related engineering work experience; and (5) previous MnDOT/city/county experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3.0 GPA or higher
• A passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam or Professional Engineer (PE) exam
• MnDOT experience or city/county experience
• Road construction or road design experience
• Project management experience

Additional Requirements

Successful candidates must pass past-employer reference checks and criminal history checks

It is our policy that all candidates submit to a background investigation prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components: SEMA4 Records Check, Criminal History Check, Employment Reference Check, Driver’s License Check, Education/License Verification and Pre-Employment Physical.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.