Transportation Principal

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.; Reston (VA); Hybrid; USD 233,000 - 325,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Stock purchase plan

Deferred compensation

Executive Deferral Plan

Unlimited PPTO

Seven paid holidays

Caregiver leave

Merit increases

Discretionary bonus

Stock

Job summary

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. is seeking a Transportation Principal in Virginia to lead major highway and bridge programs as a Senior Project Manager/Senior Design Manager.

You will guide multidisciplinary teams, mentor staff, and build strong client relationships across the Mid- Atlantic region. The role emphasizes strategic pursuits, business development, and delivering high-profile transportation projects with technical excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering is required.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license is required.
• 25+ years in transportation engineering, with highway/bridge programs in Virginia.
• Proven track record delivering major projects and leading teams.
• Strong client relationships and business development experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of major transportation programs and mega projects.
• Serve as Senior Project Manager/Senior Design Manager from planning to construction.
• Cultivate relationships with Virginia DOT, local agencies, and stakeholders.
• Drive strategic pursuits and capture planning for growth in the region.
• Provide guidance on delivery, risk management, and client engagement.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions.
• Mentor project managers and engineers, fostering collaboration and excellence.
• Represent Jacobs in industry organizations and client forums.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Client relations

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

At Jacobs, we don't just deliver infrastructure projects, we help shape the future of transportation across the communities we serve. From transformative highway corridors and complex interchanges to major bridge and multimodal infrastructure programs, our teams are solving some of the nation's most challenging transportation needs.

We are seeking a highly respected Transportation Principal to serve as a Senior Project Manager/Senior Design Manager to provide strategic leadership for some of Virginia's most significant transportation initiatives. This role is ideal for a recognized industry leader with a successful track record managing large-scale highway and bridge programs, developing strong client relationships, and guiding multidisciplinary teams through the delivery of complex infrastructure projects.

In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to transportation agencies, lead pursuit and business development efforts, and oversee the successful delivery of high-profile transportation programs throughout Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region. You will leverage your experience and industry relationships to expand Jacobs' presence with key clients while mentoring the next generation of transportation professionals.

Working closely with local, regional, and national leaders, you will help shape project strategy, drive technical excellence, and position Jacobs for continued growth in the transportation market.

At Jacobs, we value diverse perspectives and believe inclusive teams create stronger solutions. We foster a culture where experienced leaders can make a lasting impact while helping develop future industry talent.

What You'll Do

• Lead delivery of major transportation programs and mega projects involving highways, roadways, bridges, interchanges, and multimodal infrastructure.
• Serve as a Senior Project Manager/Senior Design Manager for complex transportation projects from planning through design and construction.
• Cultivate and strengthen relationships with Virginia DOT, local agencies, and transportation stakeholders.
• Lead strategic pursuits, capture planning efforts, and business development activities to drive growth across the region.
• Provide expert level guidance on project delivery, risk management, and client engagement.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and technical leaders to deliver innovative transportation solutions.
• Mentor and develop project managers, engineers, and emerging leaders while fostering a culture of collaboration and technical excellence.
• Represent Jacobs within industry organizations, professional associations, and client forums.

#LI-LM1236

Here's what you'll need

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering
• Professional Engineer (PE) license
• 25+ years of transportation engineering experience with a strong background in highway and bridge infrastructure programs in Virginia.
• Demonstrated success managing major transportation projects and large multidisciplinary teams.
• Significant experience delivering transportation projects for Virginia DOT and other state, regional, or local transportation agencies.
• Established relationships with transportation clients, stakeholders, and industry partners throughout Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region.
• Proven track record of business development, capture management, client relationship management, and winning major pursuits.
• Extensive experience overseeing the planning, design, and delivery of complex roadway, bridge, and transportation infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of transportation design standards, project delivery methods, and construction practices.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, negotiation, and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated passion for mentoring, developing talent, and building high-performing teams.

Ideally, You'll Also Have

• Experience leading transportation mega projects exceeding $100M in construction value.
• Experience serving in a leadership role for alternative delivery projects, including Design-Build or Progressive Design-Build programs.
• Active involvement in industry organizations such as ASCE, ACEC, or WTS.
• Recognition as a trusted transportation advisor with a reputation for delivering complex projects and building lasting client partnerships.

• medical
• dental
• vision
• basic life insurance
• 401(k) plan
• the ability to purchase company stock at a discount
• deferred compensation plan
• Executive Deferral Plan
• unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees
• seven paid holidays
• caregiver leave
• merit increases
• performance discretionary bonus
• stock

The base salary range for this position is $233,100.00 to $325,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on October 01, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.