Transportation Construction Engineering Lead

Ayres Associates Inc.; Burlington (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401K with company match

Paid holidays

Flexible work schedule

Job summary

Ayres Associates Inc. in Burlington, NC, is seeking a Transportation Construction Engineering Lead to oversee construction engineering services. The candidate will take a lead role in project management, client relations, and staff mentoring.

The ideal applicant holds a Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and is a PE in North Carolina, with a minimum of 8 years in relevant fields. Join a company recognized for its people-first culture and grow with us!

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in transportation construction management.
• Proven ability to identify and win projects.
• Willingness to travel and possess a valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Lead in identifying and winning transportation management projects.
• Prepare and negotiate contracts and manage onsite services.
• Mentor staff and develop business plans and budgets.

Skills

Transportation construction management

Business development

Project management

Staff management and mentoring

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering

Registered Professional Engineer (PE)

Job description

Transportation Construction Engineering Lead

Job Category: Transportation

Requisition Number: TRANS001849

Location

1454 Industry Dr
Burlington, NC 27215, USA

Due to exciting growth, our transportation division is seeking a confident and motivated engineer with an entrepreneurial mind‑set to take the lead in offering construction engineering services in North Carolina.

As the construction services lead, you’ll work alongside your colleagues in our Burlington office and coordinate with staff located around the country to strategize, collaborate, and implement action plans promoting overall company growth.

Success will be defined by your ability to develop client relationships; identify, pursue, win and manage transportation related projects; make hiring recommendations as you grow this service‑line; and be instrumental in the career development of your staff.

Join Ayres – a USA TODAY Top Workplace recognized in both 2025 and 2026 – where people‑first leadership, collaboration, and professional growth create an environment where great teams do their best work.

On any given day, you’ll

• Take the lead in successfully identifying, marketing, and winning transportation construction management projects from clients including NCDOT, Counties, municipalities, and private sector clients.
• Prepare and negotiate contract documents.
• Perform onsite construction management services.
• Manage clients.
• Manage projects overseeing the completion of all project work, ensuring that the work is produced on schedule, profitably, and in conformance with the quality standards of Ayres Associates and requirements of the contract.
• Build and maintain respectful working relationships with fellow employee owners and leaders within the company.
• Support and participate in the development and mentorship of staff.
• Assist with the design and plan production of transportation related projects by performing constructability reviews and performing other value‑added tasks.
• Assist with the development of an annual business plan and budget with emphasis on growth, financial planning, capital purchases, marketing, and training initiatives associated with construction engineering.
• Actively engage in local, statewide, and/or national professional organizations.
• Participate in office‑wide, social events.

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with an emphasis in transportation.
• Registered Professional Engineer (PE) in the state of North Carolina (or ability to attain within 3 months).
• A minimum of 8 years of combined experience in the following:
• Sound transportation construction management skills.
• Proven business development expertise focused on identifying, pursuing, and winning projects.
• Managing and mentoring staff.
• Willingness to travel to other company locations on occasion.
• Willingness to travel to project locations outside of the Burlington area when necessary (overnight stays may be required depending on the project location)
• A valid driver’s license with a good driving record.

Desired Skills and Experiences

• A desire to build the Ayres Associates brand at professional meetings/conferences locally, statewide, and potentially nationally.
• Proven success in meeting goals and objectives of annual business plans and budgets, including revenue and profitability, staffing, backlog, billing, accounts receivable, ROI on capital purchases, and image development.
• Ability to think outside the box to generate creative ideas and inspire your team.
• Passion for representing Ayres Associates in a professional manner.
• Eagerness to cultivate a team environment where all staff members feel valued and supported and all ideas flow freely.
• Enthusiastic focus on business development, including client contact, marketing initiatives, and monitoring client and partner satisfaction.

Benefits of being part of the Ayres team

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Short and long‑term disability and life insurance.
• Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) and 401K with company match.
• PTO upon hire, paid holidays including two floating holidays, and a flexible work schedule.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

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.