Transportation Principal Engineer

Pape-Dawson Engineers; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Pape-Dawson Engineers seeks a Transportation Principal Engineer to lead complex roadway projects from concept through construction. You will mentor teams, set technical direction, review calculations, and coordinate with clients and agencies to deliver high-quality designs on schedule.

The role demands ABET-accredited civil engineering training, a PE license, and 8+ years of progressive experience managing multidisciplinary teams in transportation projects. Located in Texas, on-site role.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited Civil Engineering degree required.
• P.E. license in the state(s) required to support project work.
• 8+ years of progressive engineering experience leading complex projects and technical teams.
• Proven ability to mentor technical staff and communicate with clients, agencies, and multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for complex roadway projects from concept through final design, permitting, construction, or implementation support.
• Establish technical approaches, design criteria, and work plans; evaluate alternatives and recommend solutions balancing quality, risk, cost, and schedule.
• Review and approve engineering calculations, plans, specifications, reports, estimates, and other technical deliverables for accuracy and compliance.
• Resolve complex technical issues and provide authoritative guidance to project teams, clients, agencies, subconsultants, and contractors.
• Mentor and develop engineers, EITs, designers, and other technical staff; promote sound engineering judgment and quality-focused work practices.
• Coordinate with Project Managers and Senior Project Managers on scope, staffing, schedules, budgets, risk, quality control, and client expectations.
• Support proposals, scopes, fee development, client presentations, interviews, and other business-development activities within the assigned service area.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of design standards, technical tools, workflows, and QA/QC practices.
• Represent the firm professionally with clients, agencies, professional organizations, and community stakeholders.
• Provide technical direction for complex roadway programs, including schematics, PS&E, geometric design, standards, constructability, and delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Client communication

Project management

Education

ABET-accredited Civil Engineering degree

Job description

Job Description: Overview

The Transportation Principal Engineer is a senior technical leader who provides advanced engineering judgment, technical direction, and project leadership for complex work within our transportation service area. This role translates client and project objectives into effective design solutions, guides project teams through challenging technical issues, and serves as a trusted resource to Project Engineers, Senior Project Engineers, project managers, and technical staff. The Principal Engineer operates with substantial independence and helps strengthen technical quality, client confidence, and the development of the firm's engineering practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for complex engineering projects from concept development through final design, permitting, construction, or implementation support, as applicable.
• Establish technical approaches, design criteria, and work plans; evaluate alternatives and recommend solutions that balance quality, risk, constructability, cost, and schedule.
• Review and approve engineering calculations, plans, specifications, reports, estimates, and other technical deliverables for accuracy, consistency, and compliance with applicable standards.
• Resolve complex technical issues and provide authoritative guidance to project teams, clients, agencies, subconsultants, and contractors.
• Mentor and develop engineers, EITs, designers, and other technical staff; promote sound engineering judgment, accountability, and quality-focused work practices.
• Coordinate with Project Managers and Senior Project Managers on scope, staffing, schedules, budgets, risk, quality control, and client expectations.
• Support proposals, scopes, fee development, client presentations, interviews, and other business-development activities within the assigned service area.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of design standards, technical tools, workflows, and QA/QC practices.
• Represent the firm professionally with clients, agencies, professional organizations, and community stakeholders.
• Provide technical direction for complex roadway programs, including schematics, PS&E, geometric design, standards, constructability, and delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related field from an ABET-accredited program.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the state(s) required to support project work.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive engineering experience, including substantial experience leading complex projects and technical teams.
• Demonstrated expertise in engineering design, analysis, applicable codes and standards, and project delivery within the assigned service area.
• Proven ability to mentor technical staff, influence project outcomes, and communicate effectively with clients, agencies, and multidisciplinary teams.

Accommodation and Assistance

If you need an accommodation or assistance with completing your application due to a disability or special need, please contact our team at [e-mail] or call [phone].

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants for Pape-Dawson Engineers will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.