Transportation Engineer V (Design Lead) Austin District

Texas Department of Transportation; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 93,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement Plans

Flexible Work Schedules

Paid Leave and Holidays

Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full‑

On-the-Job Training

Tuition Assistance Program

Wellness Program with Leave Incentives

Career Development and Advancement

Job summary

Texas Department of Transportation seeks a Transportation Engineer V to lead highly complex projects across planning, design, construction and maintenance. You will coordinate with FHWA, districts, and contractors to ensure adherence to standards and schedules, while mentoring staff and driving innovation.

The role requires a PE license and significant experience in transportation engineering, PS&E processes, and project leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related science is required or higher as accepted by TX PELS.
• Eight years of engineering or transportation engineering experience, with graduate study allowed as substitution.
• Licensed Professional Engineer for Texas or willingness to obtain within required timeline.

Responsibilities

• Assesses actual project progress vs. planned progress for highly complex projects.
• Develops and supports implementation of new methods, procedures, and technologies.
• Oversees and develops plans for complex projects including resources, schedule, scope, and procurement.
• Coordinates PS&E revisions with districts, divisions, FHWA, contractors, and stakeholders.
• Sets short- and long-term goals and coordinates planning activities to meet them.
• Leads and trains professional and administrative staff.
• Reviews Plans, Specifications & Estimates submission and special provisions.
• May act as a lead worker, providing updates and input on team performance.

Skills

Plans & specs workflow

Construction sequencing

Geometric design

Engineering software/tools

Risk analysis

Regulatory knowledge

Multi-project planning

Project monitoring

People leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in engineering or related science bachelor’s or higher degree accepted by TX PELS

Job description

• Close Visual Acuity-work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading

Performs highly advanced and complex transportation engineering work in one or more functional areas such as planning, project development and design, construction, transportation/traffic operations, maintenance and research. Ensures compliance with applicable federal and state laws, policies, procedures, standards and guidelines. Work requires contact with governmental officials and private entities. Employees at this level are virtually self-supervising and assume direct accountability for the work product.

Essential Duties

• Assesses and reports actual project progress versus planned progress to determine trends and variances for highly complex projects.
• Develops and supports implementation activities for new methods, procedures, and technologies.
• Oversees and develops plans for complex project(s) related to their resource assignments, schedules, scope, communication, quality, and/or procurement, while utilizing available resources and maintaining the agency's project objectives.
• Coordinates phases of preliminary design and revisions in PS&E with districts, divisions, Administration, the FHWA, contractors, fabricators, Corps of Engineers and local entities.
• Develops short-term and long-term goals and coordinates planning activities and resources required to meet goals.
• Leads/Trains professional and administrative staff.
• Performs and coordinates the review and processing of Plans, Specifications & Estimates (PS&E) submission, special specifications or special provisions.
• May serve as a lead worker by serving as a resource for complex questions; presenting workflow and operational updates to the supervisor/manager; providing input on team members’ career conversations; and approving leave requests to ensure operations coverage.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's Degree in engineering or related science bachelor's or higher degree accepted by TX PELS.

Experience

8 years engineering, transportation engineering, or related engineering experience (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent). Related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
• Licensed Prof Engineer*
• Professional engineers licensed in another state in the United States, but not currently licensed in the State of Texas, must (1) meet the license requirements of the State of Texas Engineering Practices Act, (2) obtain a professional engineering license from the State of Texas within six (6) months of the date of hire, and (3) sign an agreement to that effect as a condition of employment.

Competencies

• Applicable plans, specifications and estimates preparation, review, processing and compliance requirements
• Construction phasing and sequencing
• Geometric design relationships to traffic operations, maintenance and construction
• Applicable engineering workstations and applications to support efficient planning and design activities
• Risk analysis procedures and methods
• Applicable laws, rules, and regulations
• Planning, coordinating and handling multiple projects within area of responsibility to meet short and long-term deadlines
• Monitoring the status and progress of projects
• Planning, assigning, directing, coordinating and reviewing the work of professional, administrative and technical employees

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Sedentary work: Lift up to 10 lbs at a time and occasionally carry files/small tools
• Talking-expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words
• Close Visual Acuity-work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading

Conditions of Employment

Please read the Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT) for all positions.

• This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical.
• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) – does not authorize “medical marijuana” under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.

Position Information

The South Austin Area Office in the Austin District is seeking a Transportation Engineer V to join our team! We're looking for a leader who brings a strong mix of technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and a passion for delivering transportation solutions that make a real difference. In this role, you'll help guide complex projects, collaborate with a wide range of partners, and support infrastructure improvements that enhance safety, ease congestion, and keep our communities moving forward. If you're ready to make an impact, lead talented teams, and contribute to the growth of our region, we'd love to hear from you!

Salary/Group

Transportation Engineer V: B28 - $92,600 - $156,612 (annually)

Benefits and Perks

• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package

To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)

Job

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

Job Level

Non-Management

Job Posting

Oct 19, 2026, 10:15:55 AM

State Job Title/s

Engineer VI

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)

TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category.

Click on the appropriate occupational category to view the MOS codes.

Applicant Information

The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990.

Additional Applicant Information for applicants.