Transportation Engineer

gpac; Downers Grove (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

GPAC is seeking a Civil Roadway/Transportation Design Engineer in Downers Grove, IL to lead planning, design, and development of transportation projects from concept to construction documents. You will collaborate with project managers, surveyors, utilities, contractors, and public agencies to deliver safe, code-compliant roadway improvements.

You will design roadways, prepare plans and details, develop alignments, and perform geometry design per standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Professional experience in roadway, transportation, or civil infrastructure design.
• Strong knowledge of roadway geometric design, grading, drainage coordination, and construction documentation.
• Experience with Civil 3D, MicroStation/OpenRoads, or comparable roadway design software.
• Familiarity with AASHTO standards and applicable state DOT, MUTCD, ADA, and local design requirements.
• Ability to interpret survey data, plans, specifications, and technical engineering documents.
• Strong analytical, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred or required depending on position.
• EIT certification preferred for entry-to-mid-level positions.

Responsibilities

• Design roadway and transportation infrastructure projects, including new roads, widening, intersections, turn lanes, roundabouts, and rehabilitations.
• Prepare roadway plans, profiles, typical sections, grading, drainage layouts, signing and pavement-marking plans, and construction details.
• Develop horizontal/vertical alignments, corridor models, profiles, cross-sections, and earthwork quantities.
• Perform roadway geometric design per federal, state, and local standards.
• Coordinate roadway design with stormwater drainage, utilities, traffic engineering, structures, and environmental disciplines.
• Prepare calculations, quantity takeoffs, cost estimates, specifications, and construction documents.
• Review survey data and existing conditions; incorporate field data into design plans.
• Assist with permitting and agency coordination; respond to review comments and prepare permit docs.
• Conduct site visits, field investigations, and construction inspections as required.
• Review contractor submittals, RFIs, change orders, and other construction docs.
• Participate in design reviews; coordinate with clients, municipalities, agencies, and stakeholders.
• Identify design issues and develop practical, cost-effective engineering solutions.
• Support project managers with schedules, budgets, proposals, and client coordination.
• Mentor junior engineers and designers with roadway design standards and practices.

Skills

Roadway design

Analytical skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

Civil 3D

OpenRoads

MicroStation

Job description

Position Summary

Civil Roadway/Transportation Design Engineer responsible for the planning, design, and development of transportation and roadway infrastructure projects from preliminary concepts through final construction documents. Works closely with project managers, surveyors, utility providers, contractors, public agencies, and multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver safe, efficient, code-compliant roadway improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Design roadway and transportation infrastructure projects, including new roads, roadway widening, intersection improvements, turn lanes, roundabouts, and rehabilitation projects.
• Prepare roadway plans, profiles, typical sections, grading plans, drainage layouts, signing and pavement-marking plans, and construction details.
• Develop horizontal and vertical alignments, corridor models, profiles, cross-sections, and earthwork quantities.
• Perform roadway geometric design in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local standards.
• Coordinate roadway design with stormwater drainage, utilities, traffic engineering, structures, environmental, and other disciplines.
• Prepare engineering calculations, quantity takeoffs, cost estimates, specifications, and construction documents.
• Review survey information and existing conditions and incorporate field data into design plans.
• Assist with permitting and agency coordination, including responses to review comments and preparation of permit documentation.
• Conduct site visits, field investigations, and construction inspections as required.
• Review contractor submittals, RFIs, change orders, and other construction-related documentation.
• Participate in design reviews and coordinate with clients, municipalities, transportation agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Identify design issues and develop practical, cost-effective engineering solutions.
• Support project managers with project schedules, budgets, technical proposals, and client coordination.
• Mentor junior engineers and designers and provide technical guidance on roadway design standards and practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Professional experience in roadway, transportation, or civil infrastructure design.
• Strong knowledge of roadway geometric design, grading, drainage coordination, and construction documentation.
• Experience with Civil 3D, MicroStation/OpenRoads, or comparable roadway design software.
• Familiarity with AASHTO standards and applicable state DOT, MUTCD, ADA, and local design requirements.
• Ability to interpret survey data, plans, specifications, and technical engineering documents.
• Strong analytical, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred or required depending on position.
• EIT certification preferred for entry-to-mid-level positions.

Preferred Experience

• State DOT roadway and highway projects.
• Urban and rural roadway design.
• Intersection and interchange improvements.
• Traffic control and maintenance-of-traffic plans.
• Stormwater and drainage coordination.
• Transportation modeling and corridor analysis.
• Preparation of plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) packages.
• Construction administration and field inspection experience.

Core Competencies

• Roadway and highway design
• Civil 3D / OpenRoads / MicroStation
• Geometric design
• Grading and drainage coordination
• Plan production and construction documents
• Quantity takeoffs and cost estimating
• DOT standards and permitting
• Construction administration
• Client and agency coordination
• Project management
• Technical problem solving

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations.

GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.