Transportation Engineer

Alta Planning + Design; Durham (NC); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedule

Hybrid work schedule

Medical insurance

Dental & Vision

Job summary

Alta Planning + Design in Durham, NC seeks an Active Transportation Engineer to join our growing design team. This mid-career role focuses on sustainable transportation, including complete streets, bikeways, and ADA facilities, across diverse projects in North Carolina and beyond.

You will collaborate with engineers, planners, and analysts, mentor junior staff, and advance designs from concept through detailed plans. A PE license and strong communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Transportation Engineering from an ABET/EAC-accredited program.
• 5–7 years of transportation engineering experience, preferably in consulting or public sector.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD; Civil 3D or similar software a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver multimodal transportation projects including complete streets and bikeway design.
• Coordinate tasks such as geometric layout, grading, drainage, and construction staging.
• Assist the Project Manager as task lead or assistant Project Manager.
• Develop PS&E documents for bid-ready packages.
• Lead or participate in project coordination meetings with clients and internal teams.
• Mentor entry level staff and support training and process improvements.

Skills

Transportation engineering

Project coordination

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Transportation Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Civil 3D

MicroStation

OpenRoads

Job description

Description

Alta is looking for an Active Transportation Engineer to join our growing design team in our Durhamoffice. This mid-career role is a fantastic opportunity for someone passionate about sustainable transportation in bike and pedestrian infrastructure and eager to advance their career. In this position, you will work on a wide variety of projects focused on transforming communities through multimodal transportation solutions, including complete street reconfigurations, bikeway designs, complex trails, intersection improvements, ADA compliant and high function pedestrian facilities and other innovative transportation solutions. You’ll work on both large- and small-scale projects and contribute to plans and designs that make a real impact on the safety and accessibility of communities across North Carolina and the country. In this role, you’ll collaborate with our multidisciplinary team of engineers, landscape architects, planners, graphics designers, outreach specialists, and data analysts while performing task lead and Assistant Project Management roles. You’ll be mentored by industry leaders and have the opportunity to engage with complex design challenges, working across scales from conceptual design to detailed plans and specifications. You will mentor entry level staff and have the opportunity to have meaningful contribution in training, onboarding, and process improvement. If you are looking for a chance to grow your skills in a dynamic, collaborative environment and contribute to meaningful transportation projects,

About Alta

Alta is a mission‑driven company working to mitigate climate change and advance safety and social justice by shaping sustainable, people‑centered communities. We bring together expertise across planning, design, engineering, education and encouragement programs, and community engagement to help communities thrive. Our work is grounded in the belief that how places are designed and experienced has a profound impact on equity, health, and opportunity—and that people should always be at the heart of those decisions. Founded in 1996, Alta was at the forefront of the active transportation movement and has spent nearly 30 years partnering with communities to imagine a more connected, resilient, and inclusive future. Today, with more than 225 staff across the United States and beyond, we are a global leader in creating environments that support everyday life, strengthen human connection, and respond to the challenges of a changing world. Alta offers the opportunity to collaborate across disciplines, contribute to meaningful work at every scale, and be part of a team committed to making lasting, positive change for people and the places they call home.

Day to Day

• Designing and delivering a variety of multimodal transportation projects, including complete streets, bikeway design, intersection improvements, ADA compliant and high function pedestrian facilities, and other innovative transportation solutions.
• Working on project tasks like geometric layout, grading, drainage, signing and striping, multi-disciplinary coordination, green infrastructure, construction staging, and more.
• Assist the Project Manager on day to day task by helping as a task lead or Assistant Project Manager
• Developing high-quality design documents, including Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) for bid-ready packages.
• Develop concept level alternatives that consider feasibility, use, and impacts.
• Participating in site visits to investigate existing conditions, observe construction activities, and inform design decisions.
• Leading and supporting project coordination meetings with clients, consultants, and internal teams.
• Begin to assist the Project Manager with technical write-ups, memos, scope and budgets, and schedule updates.

Qualifications

Required

• 5-7 years of experience in transportation engineering or a related field, with a preference for experience in a consulting environment or public sector.
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, or a related field from an ABET/EAC-accredited program.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD; experience with Civil 3D, or similar civil engineering software is a plus. Previous MicroStation, OpenRoads experience is preferred.
• Strong background in transportation design, including experience with multimodal transportation solutions, complete streets, bikeway design, pedestrian improvements, and related projects.
• Ability to design, manage, and deliver project tasks such as geometric layout, grading, drainage, green infrastructure, construction staging, and interdisciplinary coordination.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with clients, contractors, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven ability to lead or coordinate project tasks, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines and budget constraints.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with project management, including coordinating teams, preparing scopes of work, budgets, and schedules.
• Familiarity with Deltek VantagePoint or similar project management software.
• Willingness to travel as needed for site visits and client meetings

Department

Engineering

Location

Durham, NC

Compensation

$90,000 - $111,000 / year

The pay range for this job in Durham is $90,000-$111,000 annually. Placement within the range is based upon experience, skill-sets, and qualifications.

What We Offer

Flexible Schedule: Alta offers a flexible, hybrid work schedule where most employees work from home three days per week. In-office days support our collaborative culture, one of our core values.

Benefits

• Medical: PPO or HSA medical plans, Alta pays 75% of the cost
• Dental/Vision: PPO, Alta pays 90% of the cost
• Life Insurance: Alta pays 100% of the premium for life and AD&D, equal to your base compensation
• 401(k): Alta provides a match up to 3%
• PTO: 21 days accrued annually to start
• Holidays: 11 total company paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave/Short-Term Disability
• Additional Benefits: Wellness reimbursement up to $800 annually, Alta Gets Around benefit of up to $900 annually, 5-year travel award, and professional development opportunities