Transportation Engineer

HDR, Inc.; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR, Inc. in Des Moines, IA, seeks a Transportation Engineer to join our highway design team, delivering roadway projects to engineering standards.

You will contribute on moderate to large programs and apply local and AASHTO guidelines using Bentley ConceptStation, Open Roads Designer, InfraWorks, and Civil 3D. You will assist with scopes, budgets, and schedules, maintain client communications, mentor junior staff, and prepare reports and memos to keep designs on schedule and within budget.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering required
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required
• Hands-on experience with highway CAD software
• Experience across urban and rural highway interchanges, intersection design, traffic management, and transportation planning
• Strong communication and organizational skills

Responsibilities

• Provide roadway/highway design work following local and AASHTO standards
• Assist project management for larger projects or manage smaller projects
• Prepare scopes, budgets, and schedules, and maintain client communication
• Mentor junior engineers and coordinate with sub-consultants
• Produce reports and technical memos and review CAD designs

Skills

Excellent communication

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Urban and rural highway interchanges

Education

Bachelor's degree

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

Bentley ConceptStation

Open Roads Designer

Autodesk InfraWorks

Civil 3D

Job description

Overview

HDR employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected. We foster diversity, equity, and inclusion, and encourage everyone to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work. We believe transportation is more than movement; it is the foundation of connected, thriving communities. This role supports HDR's Transportation Business Group, helping shape systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. Our team collaborates across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. HDR is the foundation of our collaborative culture, connecting employees around the world as equal owners of the firm.

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

Every role at HDR makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read on to learn how you could help make great things possible in your community and beyond.

Primary Responsibilities

As a Transportation Engineer, you will work as a key member of a highway/roadway design team for moderate to large sized projects, and independently on smaller projects. This role includes assisting on project management for larger projects or managing moderate to smaller projects. Typical tasks include roadway/highway design work using local or AASHTO standards, including:

• Horizontal and vertical alignment
• Roadway sections
• Intersection layout and sight distance determination
• Interchange layout
• Roadway drainage (Hydraulic Reports) and Right of Way plans
• 3D modeling to aid in developing and reviewing designs

In addition, you may oversee the following elements of contract plans, specifications, and estimates:

• Roadway sections, alignment/right of way plans
• Temporary erosion control plans
• Site preparation plans
• Roadway profiles and drainage plans
• Utility plans, paving, pavement marking plans, signing plans
• Traffic control plans

You may also assist in preparing scopes, budgets, and schedules, including day-to-day client communication (verbal and written), supporting and advising junior engineers and technical staff, writing reports and technical memos, coordinating with sub-consultants, and keeping projects on schedule and within budget.

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of 3 years of experience in all aspects of roadway engineering design

*LI-BC1

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Previous experience in all aspects of roadway engineering design
• Professional Engineer (PE) license
• Hands-on experience with Highways and Roads CAD engineering software such as Bentley ConceptStation and Open Roads Designer and/or Autodesk InfraWorks and Civil 3D
• MS Office knowledge
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Experience should include urban and rural highway interchanges, intersection design, traffic management, transportation planning, site planning, preparation of concept alignments, geometrical layout, and CAD base alignment plans
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant in an employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. We build on each other\'s life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust, and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected, and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Location and Details

Primary Location: United States-Iowa-Des Moines

Other Locations: United States-Iowa-Cedar Rapids, United States-Iowa-Davenport

Industry: Highway + Road

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

Business Class: Highways

Job Posting: Feb 24, 2026