Transportation Design Specialist

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Fargo (ND); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Engineering Inc. is seeking a Civil Engineer Intern to support transportation design projects. You will work in the field and office, assisting engineers with preliminary and final design plans for roadways, bridges, and associated improvements.

The role emphasizes learning through hands-on mentorship, with opportunities to develop expertise in MicroStation and OpenRoads Designer while collaborating across offices and disciplines to meet project deadlines.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent required.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible transportation or infrastructure design experience.
• Proficiency with MicroStation and OpenRoads Designer (ORD).
• Experience mentoring, training, or providing technical guidance to colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Prepare preliminary and final design plans for road, highway, and related projects.
• Develop roadway geometry, alignments, profiles, and plan sheets using MicroStation/ORD.
• Apply DOT/agency design standards and electronic delivery procedures.
• Coordinate with engineers and survey staff to produce deliverables.
• Conduct quality control reviews of models, drawings, and plan sets.
• Identify design issues and propose practical solutions to improve workflows.
• Serve as a technical resource for MicroStation and ORD and share best practices.
• Possibility to develop training materials and conduct sessions for staff.

Skills

Mentoring ability

Technical training

Education

Associate degree in Civil Engineering Technology or Drafting/Design

Tools

MicroStation

OpenRoads Designer (ORD)

Job description

At Houston Engineering, we believe in fostering the growth and development of the next generation of engineers through hands‑on mentorship. Our internships provide valuable learning experiences, and many of our internshave continued their careers with us post‑graduation, contributing to meaningful local projects.

A Civil Engineer Intern with Houston Engineering Inc. (HEI) will spend time in the field working on outdoor construction phase activities as well as a variety of in‑office projects assisting engineers.

Job Description

The Transportation Design Specialist supports the planning and design of transportation infrastructure projects for state and local agencies. This experienced technical role develops high‑quality design plans and digital models using MicroStation and OpenRoads Designer (ORD), applies applicable roadway design standards, and serves as a mentor and trainer to strengthen transportation design capabilities across HEI.

Essential Functions

• Prepare preliminary and final design plans for urban and rural roadway, highway, intersection, bridge approach, pedestrian, and related transportation improvement projects.
• Develop and maintain roadway geometry, alignments, profiles, corridors, cross sections, terrain models, drainage components, quantities, and plan sheets using MicroStation and OpenRoads Designer (ORD).
• Apply applicable Department of Transportation and local agency design standards, specifications, file structures, workspace requirements, and electronic delivery procedures.
• Coordinate with engineers, project managers, survey staff, and other technical team members to translate survey, design, and engineering information into accurate and complete project deliverables.
• Perform technical drafting appropriate to the position, and assist with the preparation of opinions of probable construction cost, quantities, specifications, and supporting documentation.
• Conduct quality control reviews of models, drawings, plan sets, and related deliverables for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and compliance with project requirements.
• Identify design, production, and software issues; recommend practical solutions; and help establish efficient and consistent transportation design workflows.
• Serve as a technical resource for MicroStation and ORD, including troubleshooting design and production questions and sharing best practices across project teams.
• While not required, there are opportunities to develop and deliver formal and informal training, reference materials, standards, and workflow guidance for employees with varying levels of MicroStation and ORD experience.
• Assist project teams with workload coordination and help provide redundancy for key transportation design and plan‑production functions.
• Participate in project meetings and communicate effectively regarding design status, technical needs, priorities, schedules, and deliverables.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Civil Engineering Technology, Drafting and Design Technology, or a similar technical field required. An equivalent combination of education and directly related experience may be considered.
• Eight or more years of progressively responsible transportation or infrastructure design experience, with preference for experience supporting state Department of Transportation projects.
• Advanced proficiency with MicroStation and OpenRoads Designer (ORD) required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of roadway design and plan‑production practices, including development of alignments, profiles, corridors, cross sections, quantities, and construction plan sets.
• Experience with digital delivery or desire to learn considered a plus.
• Ability to interpret and apply DOT design manuals, standards, specifications, and electronic delivery requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor, train, and provide technical guidance to employees with different levels of experience.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, problem‑solving, and quality‑control skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, collaborate across offices and disciplines, and meet project deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license with a good driving record required.

Special Requirements

• Frequently lift and/or move up to 75 pounds.

Additional Information

Come join our team and see why HEI has been selected as one of Prairie Business Magazine 50 best places to work in the northern Great Plains for several years in a row!

EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability