TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING SPECIALIST - 11032026-82298

Tennessee Department of Transportation; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 64,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

The Tennessee Department of Transportation in Nashville, TN, is seeking Transportation Engineering Specialists to support planning, design, construction, and maintenance of statewide transportation assets. Roles span the TDOT Graduate Transportation Engineering (GTE) Program and progression through Specialist levels.

Candidates hold engineering or related degrees and exhibit competency in project planning and execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management required.
• 1 Year of Demonstrated Competency in planning, developing and/or constructing projects for Specialist 1.
• 2 Years of Demonstrated Competency in planning, developing and/or constructing projects for Specialist 2.
• 3 Years of Demonstrated Competency in planning, developing and/or constructing projects for Specialist 3.
• The role participates in TDOT's Graduate Transportation Engineering (GTE) Program across rotations.

Responsibilities

• Understand and apply engineering techniques, procedures, and design criteria to develop detailed specifications for projects.
• Work to understand criteria and key components of technical disciplines within the PDN.
• Utilize various software platforms in designing and maintaining transportation systems.
• Ensure quality of work product meets or exceeds standards.
• Assist with proactive solutions for engineering concerns to meet project needs.
• Coordinate with project team and internal stakeholders for project continuity.
• Submit updates to schedules documenting progress through the project life cycle.
• Plan, develop, and assemble transportation infrastructure plans with latest CAD technology.

Skills

GTE Program awareness

Engineering fundamentals

Education

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management

Job description

Job ID: 82298

Location: Davidson County

City, State: Nashville, TN

Contract type: Full‑Time

Department: Transportation

Salary

Monthly: $5,703.00 - $7,399.00

Annual: $68,436.00 - $88,788.00

Starting monthly salary: $6,732 monthly / $80,784 annually.

Application Dates

Opening Date/Time: 11/03/2026 12:00 AM Central Time

Closing Date/Time: 11/16/2026 11:59 PM Central Time

Location of Positions

Department of Transportation, Davidson County

Division

Traffic Design Division – ITS – Safety & Work Zone Projects – Traffic Services Sections.

Qualifications

• Transportation Engineering Specialist: Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management
• Transportation Engineering Specialist 1: Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management and 1 Year of Demonstrated Competency in planning, developing and/or constructing projects
• Transportation Engineering Specialist 2: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management and 2 Years of Demonstrated Competency in planning, developing and/or constructing projects
• Transportation Engineering Specialist 3: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management and 3 Years of Demonstrated Competency in planning, developing and/or constructing projects

Overview

The Transportation Engineering Specialist Series at TDOT is responsible for planning, designing, constructing, preserving, operating, and maintaining the transportation systems within the State of Tennessee. The Engineering Specialist series provides technical support and guidance to divisions within the department as well as providing assistance to consultants, contractors, suppliers, federal and state agency partners, local governments, transit agencies, aviation partners, utilities, and developers in the contracting, permitting, development and construction of transportation assets statewide.

General Position Description

Transportation Engineering Specialist:

The Engineering Specialist classification denotes participation in the first half of TDOT's Graduate Transportation Engineering (GTE) Program. As part of a mandatory two-year program that includes rotations in core and elective disciplines, this position will train under the direction of other engineers to develop a foundational knowledge of TDOT's technical requirements and to apply engineering principles to the life cycle of a project. Upon completion of each rotation, an evaluator will determine if the required competency level has been achieved. After fulfilling the required competencies for each rotation during the first half of the GTE Program curriculum, the Engineering Specialist will promote to the Engineering Specialist 1 level in the career path series.

Transportation Engineering Specialist 1:

The Engineering Specialist 1 must have completed the first half of the mandatory two-year TDOT Graduate Transportation Engineering (GTE) Program curriculum. In the second half, the Engineering Specialist 1 will continue rotations in core and elective disciplines, under the immediate direction of other engineers, to develop a foundational knowledge of TDOT's technical requirements and to apply engineering principles to the life cycle of a project. Upon completion of each rotation, an evaluator will determine if the required competency level has been achieved. After fulfilling the required competencies for each rotation during the second half of the GTE Program curriculum, the Engineering Specialist 1 will promote to the Engineering Specialist 2 level in the career path series and should pursue the desired available TDOT positions for which they are best qualified.

Transportation Engineering Specialist 2:

The Engineering Specialist 2 will work under the general direction of other engineers and will be responsible for functioning within and being accountable to the project team. The Engineering Specialist 2 will be required to apply critical thinking and independent problem‑solving skills within their technical discipline and will coordinate with project team members to assist with projects ranging in complexity from a moderate to intermediate level. The Engineering Specialist 2 role must incorporate the department's vision and ethics into their work practices. The Engineering Specialist 2 will promote to the Engineering Specialist 3 level in the career path series upon achieving the required competencies established for the specific discipline.

Transportation Engineering Specialist 3:

The Engineering Specialist 3 requires the aggregate of skill sets developed throughout the Engineering Specialist series. The Engineering Specialist 3 will be responsible for projects ranging from intermediate complexity to the highest degree of complexity and risk for TDOT. Collaboration with diverse project teams to implement innovative solutions are required in this position. The Engineer Specialist 3 is expected to work independently and with minimal supervision within their technical discipline, being fully accountable for prioritizing, meeting project schedules, maintaining budgets, eliminating constructability issues, and mitigating maintenance concerns. The Engineering Specialist 3 position is expected to solve project challenges by turning data into actionable decisions, ensuring the project remains within the pre‑determined scope, schedule, and budget. The Engineering Specialist 3 serves as a mentor and trains engineering staff within their area of discipline to ensure succession planning and to retain core competencies within TDOT. The Engineering Specialist 3 role must incorporate the department's vision and ethics into their work practices.

Responsibilities

• Understand and apply engineering techniques, procedures, and design criteria in accordance with technical manuals to develop and/or implement detailed specifications for projects
• Work to understand criteria and key components of technical disciplines within the Project Delivery Network (PDN)
• Utilize various software platforms in designing and maintaining transportation systems
• Ensure quality of work product meets or exceeds standards
• Assist with implementing proactive solutions for engineering concerns to ensure the needs of the project are met
• Work to ensure project continuity through collaboration and effective communication with the project team and internal stakeholders
• Submit updates to schedules to document the progress of projects through the project life cycle
• Work to identify infrastructure issues of transportation components for maintenance, repair, safety, environmental, and operational needs
• Work to plan, develop, and assemble transportation infrastructure plans and supporting documents with the latest CADD computer technology

Additional duties for Engineering Specialist II, and III

• Responsible for the completion of applicable project deliverables in the planning, design, and construction phase, and for the identification of issues that might impact critical path work items on complex projects
• Identify transportation infrastructure issues and provide solutions for maintenance, repair, safety, environmental, and operational needs
• Design and graphically depict project components by creating plans for TDOT projects utilizing department specifications for complex projects Identify conflicts in the proposed design, including constructability and maintainability concerns, make recommendations, and coordinate on proactive solutions with other disciplines while ensuring the needs of the project are met within the pre‑determined scope, schedule, and budget
• Work to determine and implement design criteria that applies a context sensitive approach to complex projects for which risk is highest, balancing both safety and cost effectiveness with environmental factors and community input

Additional duties for Engineering Specialist III

• Provide technical guidance, training, and mentorship to others within the project team or discipline group
• Develop and implement innovative processes and design elements that will improve efficiency and safety

Title: Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Competencies (KSACs)

The required KSACs for Engineering Specialist, I, II, and III include:

• Knowledge of engineering principles, potentially within a specific discipline as they relate to transportation projects
• Knowledgeable in the use of computers and applicable programs, applications, and systems
• Skilled in basic technical writing
• Ability to communicate effectively, while interacting with internal and external stakeholders in a professional and courteous manner
• Ability to manage time to ensure assignments are completed
• Ability to use critical thinking to problem solve and make informed decisions
• Ability to learn technical concepts and apply those concepts to work
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to conduct work with a high degree of accuracy

Additional KSACs for Engineering Specialist II and III

• Skilled in strong technical writing
• Ability to work within a project team
• Ability to manage time and prioritize work items to ensure project assignments are completed

Additional KSACs for Engineering Specialist III

• Ability to resolve conflicts, coach, and mentor others, and support a culture of accountability, collaboration, and accomplishment
• Ability to coordinate with the Project Manager and Project Team to proactively identify and resolve complex, multidisciplinary issues which may impact project scope, schedule, and/or budget