Transportation Planner 5-Traffic

CDM Smith; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 96,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

CDM Smith is seeking a senior transportation engineer to join our Chicago office. You will lead traffic engineering analyses, multimodal planning, and ITS-related projects, applying cutting‑edge methods to improve mobility and safety.

The role requires strong communication, project management, and the ability to work with public agencies to deliver high‑quality, practical solutions across major corridors and urban networks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Urban, Community, or Regional Planning.
• Professional certifications such as AICP, PE, CEP, or PTOE preferred.
• 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree or 6 years with a Master's degree.

Responsibilities

• Being the Task Manager or Project Planner for multiple task work orders with clients and staffing projects.
• Simulation and capacity analysis – Synchro/SimTraffic, VISSIM, HCS, SIDRA.
• Safety analysis – HSM methodologies, Safe Systems.
• Multimodal and transit analysis.
• Corridor, Planning and Environmental Linkages, Needs & Deficiencies studies.
• Functional Design and Preliminary Engineering Reports.
• Intelligent Transportation Systems.
• Community traffic engineering and safety issues.
• Peer review of traffic studies conducted by others.
• Design of traffic signals/signal systems plans, specifications, and estimates.

Skills

Traffic engineering

Multimodal planning

Data analysis

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering/Urban/Regional Planning

AICP/PE/CEP/PTP or related master's degree

Master's degree in Civil Engineering/Urban/Regional Planning

Tools

Microstation

AutoCAD

SignCAD

AutoTURN

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Company Overview

Check out this video and find out why our team loves to work here! (https://www.cdmsmith.com/resources/videos/meet-cdm-smith)

Join Us! CDM Smith – where amazing career journeys unfold.

Imagine a place committed to offering an unmatched employee experience. Where you work on projects that are meaningful to you. Where you play an active part in shaping your career journey. Where your co‑workers are invested in you and your success. Where you are encouraged and supported to do your very best and given the tools and resources to do so. Where it’s a priority that the company takes good care of you and your family.

Our employees are the heart of our company. As an employer of choice, our goal is to provide a challenging, progressive and inclusive work environment which fosters personal leadership, career growth and development for every employee. We value passionate individuals who challenge the norm, deliver world‑class solutions and bring diverse perspectives. Join our team, and together we will make a difference and change the world.

Job Description

Roads less traveled? More like roads reimagined. The needs of transportation are calling. We're a team of trailblazers designing sustainable, connected journeys for a world on the move. Develop groundbreaking ideas that revolutionize how we travel. See your next become the map to now, where everyone gets there cleaner, faster, and smarter. As an integral member of this team, you will contribute to CDM Smith's success by:

• Being the Task Manager or Project Planner for multiple task work orders with our clients, as well as assisting with putting proposals together and staffing projects.
• Simulation and capacity analysis – Synchro/SimTraffic, VISSIM, HCS, SIDRA.
• Safety analysis – HSM methodologies, Safe Systems.
• Multimodal and transit analysis.
• Corridor, Planning and Environmental Linkages, Needs & Deficiencies studies.
• Functional Design and Preliminary Engineering Reports.
• Intelligent Transportation Systems.
• Community traffic engineering and safety issues.
• Peer review of traffic studies conducted by others.
• Design of traffic signals/signal systems plans, specifications, and estimates.

Skills & Abilities

Expert knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by all transportation modes, and understanding of current transportation trends/issues, including the relative costs and benefits. Solid knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process. Expert knowledge of the practical application of regional and community planning. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, models, and equipment to study and/or design of movement of people, goods and services. Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Urban, Community, or Regional Planning, or related discipline.
• AICP, PTP, PE, CEP, or approved certification in a related field. Or Master's degree in Civil Engineering, Urban, Community, or Regional Planning, or related discipline.
• 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree or 6 years of experience with Master's degree.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required. The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands.
• Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Preferred Qualifications

• Technical expertise in transportation engineering and planning, including traffic engineering, multimodal transportation planning, and transportation systems analysis.
• Experience leading and managing large-scale transportation projects and ensuring project deliverables meet quality standards and project requirements.
• Strong analytical skills and experience using transportation data to inform decision‑making and develop innovative solutions to transportation challenges.
• Familiarity with preparing traffic signal design and traffic control plans using Microstation, AutoCAD, SignCAD, and AutoTURN.
• Knowledge of commonly used computer software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Certification as a Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (PTOE).
• Experience working with local, state, or federal transportation agencies.applicable local, state and federal laws.

Amount of Travel Required

10% or less

EEO Statement

We attract the best people in the industry, supporting their efforts to learn and grow. We strive to create a challenging and progressive work environment. We provide career opportunities that span a variety of disciplines and geographic locations, with projects that our employees plan, design, build and operate as diverse as the needs of our clients. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Background Check and Drug Testing Information

CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “CDM Smith”) reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.

Massachusetts Applicants

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Pay Range Min

USD $95,846.00

Pay Range Max

USD $167,731.00

Additional Pay Range Information

CDM Smith is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. This pay range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels for the geographic location assigned to the position. In addition to geographic location, a candidate’s salary is determined by several other factors including, but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, relevant work experience, skills, required certifications, and education/training.

Additional Compensation

All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.

Visa Sponsorship Available

No-We will not support sponsorship in the United States, i.e. H-1B or TN Visas for this position