Transportation Design Project Manager

Ayres Associates; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Short and long-term disability and life insurance

Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) and 401(k) with company match

PTO and flexible work schedule

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Ayres Associates in Wisconsin is searching for a Transportation Design Project Manager to lead and manage transportation projects, particularly with clients like WisDOT. This role will involve preparing contracts, ensuring project delivery, and mentoring early-career engineers. Candidates should have a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, be a registered PE in Wisconsin, and have at least six years of relevant experience. The position offers benefits like health insurance, PTO, and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of transportation design and project management experience.
• Experience delivering transportation projects for WisDOT or Wisconsin agencies.
• Willingness and ability to travel occasionally.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy and pursue transportation projects with various clients.
• Prepare, review, and negotiate contract documents.
• Manage clients and oversee project execution.

Skills

Business development

Client relationship management

Civil 3D

Transportation design

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with a transportation emphasis

Registered Professional Engineer (PE) in Wisconsin

Tools

Civil 3D

Job description

Finding the Right Fit

Work doesn’t feel like work when you’re doing what you love, and doing it alongside people who support, challenge, and inspire you. At Ayres, that’s our everyday reality, and it could be yours too. We’re looking for a confident, motivated Transportation Design Project Manager to play a key role in the continued growth of our transportation group throughout Wisconsin. In this role, you’ll enjoy meaningful autonomy and access to highly experienced roadway, structural, traffic, and construction engineering professionals who are committed to supporting your success. You’ll also collaborate closely with fellow project managers and leadership who share your passion for high‑quality project delivery and client service. Success in this position means cultivating strong client relationships; identifying, pursuing, and winning transportation projects; helping shape the growth of our regional team; and mentoring early‑career employee‑owners as they develop into the next generation of engineering leaders.

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

• Lead the strategy, pursuit, and winning of transportation projects with clients including WisDOT, area counties, municipalities, and private‑sector partners, including client communications and proposal development.
• Prepare, review, and negotiate contract documents with clients and partners.
• Manage clients and serve as a trusted advisor throughout project delivery.
• Direct and oversee project execution, ensuring work is completed on schedule, profitably, and in alignment with Ayres’ quality standards and contract requirements.
• Build respectful, collaborative working relationships with colleagues, technical staff, and leaders across the company.
• Mentor developing engineers and contribute to a positive, growth‑focused team culture.
• Participate in regular team meetings to align on project pursuits, resource allocation, workload distribution, and team needs.
• Provide input during the annual business planning and budgeting process for the group.
• Engage actively in professional organizations at the local, state, or national level to support visibility, networking, and business development.
• Participate in office‑wide events supporting community, culture, and team connection.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with a transportation emphasis.
• Registered Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Wisconsin.
• Minimum of 6 years of transportation design and project management experience, including delivering transportation projects for WisDOT and/or Wisconsin agencies.
• Willingness and ability to travel occasionally to company offices or client locations.
• Valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.

Desired Skills and Experiences

• Strong interest in business development, including client relationships, pursuit strategy, and partner engagement.
• Enthusiasm for representing Ayres at industry events and supporting our brand through professional visibility.
• A collaborative mindset and passion for contributing to an inclusive, supportive team culture where ideas are welcomed and people feel valued.
• Knowledge of Civil 3D and related engineering software.

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 401(k) with company match.
• PTO, paid holidays including two floating holidays, and a flexible work schedule.
• Professional development opportunities.

Related job titles: Transportation Project Manager, Senior Transportation Project Manager, Design Project Manager, Senior Design Project Manager, Transportation Engineering Project Manager, Transportation Practice Leader / Project Manager, Transportation Engineer, Senior Transportation Engineer, Civil Engineer, Senior Civil Engineer, Roadway Engineer, Senior Roadway Engineer, Highway Engineer, Senior Highway Engineer, Roadway Engineering Project Manager, Highway Engineering Project Manager, Roadway Project Manager, Highway Project Manager.