Engineer Senior Structure and Bridge

Based in Richmond, Virginia, this onsite senior role focuses on structural and bridge work within the Virginia Department of Transportation. You will evaluate, design, manage projects, provide policy guidance, and deliver technical support across VDOT's bridge and structural initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering expertise in assigned program areas.
• Offer recommendations to resolve project issues.
• Communicate with internal VDOT staff, local government staff, consultants, citizens, and FHWA regarding transportation projects and programs.
• Assist in developing, implementing, and monitoring policies, procedures, guidance, and practices for engineering projects and programs.
• Serve as the responsible-charge engineer in the evaluation, design, and detailing of all types and complexities of structures and bridges for new construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation projects.
• Check statically determinate and indeterminate structures of concrete and steel to meet alignment, dimension, strength, and economic requirements using AASHTO specifications to prepare plans.
• Compute dimensions and quantities of materials.
• Provide construction support and direction regarding construction and maintenance of structures and bridges.
• Manage assigned projects to ensure timely and accurate completion.
• Review plans prepared by others to ensure correctness.
• Provide technical guidance and support related to bridge construction activities, issues, and problems; develop effective and economical recommendations and participate in meetings to address bridge-related inquiries.

Requirements

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with internal and external customers.
• Ability to estimate quantities and costs of materials.
• Ability to interpret construction plans and design specifications.
• Ability to manage projects and review and administer consultant design contracts.
• Ability to produce structural design plans and notes.
• Degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering or related field.
• Experience applying civil engineering principles and practices related to structural engineering, including strength of materials, statics, and structural analysis.
• Experience in structural steel design, reinforced and prestressed concrete design, and soil mechanics.
• Knowledge of specifications, codes, and regulations related to structural design (eg, AASHTO and LRFD structural design standards).
• Skill in using computers and software applications, including automated engineering and design software.
• Valid Professional Engineer's license.

Technologies

• MS Office
• MicroStation

How You Will Contribute

• Communications: Engage effectively with customers internal and external to VDOT, including local governments, elected officials, citizen groups, and FHWA.
• Conduct Engineering Studies: Lead or participate in studies, collect and analyze data, and develop written reports with technically accurate recommendations and solutions. Prepare technical letters and present findings to VDOT staff and partner organizations.
• Design, Analyze and Check Structural Elements: Prepare preliminary and final bridge and structure designs for new construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation projects; create bridge plans, sketches, and structural drawings; verify plans meet AASHTO and VDOT specifications and project design requirements.
• Meetings: Lead and participate in pre-construction conferences, contract showings, and related bridge construction meetings; ensure plans conform to guidelines to minimize field issues.
• Policies and Procedures: Support the development of policies, procedures, and practices to proactively manage the engineering program.
• Process Improvements: Recommend and implement process and policy improvements; monitor compliance with policies, procedures, and applicable laws.
• Project Management and Documentation: Organize work and track tasks to ensure projects and documentation are completed on schedule per VDOT standards.
• Project Management: Serve as project manager for new bridge design and rehabilitation projects; coordinate design activities with sections, divisions, and consultants; assist with scopes, schedules, proposals, negotiations, and advertisement while overseeing project activities to meet requirements.
• Project Team Participation: Lead or participate in project teams; maintain timely communications with stakeholders and ensure technical accuracy of information distributed.
• Responsible Charge Engineer: Fulfill duties as responsible charge engineer in compliance with policies and the Code of Virginia.
• Technical Guidance and Support: Provide technical guidance on bridge construction issues and develop practical recommendations to address inquiries and construction problems.

What Will Make You Successful

• Ability to apply advanced engineering principles to a variety of complex transportation projects.
• Skill in building networks with colleagues across divisions, field personnel, contractors, manufacturers, and FHWA representatives.
• Strong oral and written communication with diverse audiences, plus the ability to lead presentations and meetings.
• Capacity to cultivate working relationships at all organizational levels, both internally and externally.
• Independent decision-making, multi-tasking, and the ability to draw rational conclusions from analysis.
• Capability to estimate quantities and costs of materials and interpret plans, contracts, specifications, and regulations.
• Experience managing projects and reviewing consultant design contracts.
• Proficiency in producing structural design plans and notes and in reading technical documents.
• Extensive knowledge of civil engineering principles related to structural engineering, including structural analysis, steel design, concrete design, and soil mechanics.
• Know-how of federal, state, and local laws, codes, and policies affecting transportation engineering, plus budgeting and project management.
• Strong customer-service orientation and professional interaction with the public and stakeholders.
• Proficiency with engineering software and related computer tools.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with internal and external customers.
• Ability to estimate quantities and costs of materials.
• Ability to interpret construction plans and design specifications.
• Ability to manage projects and review and administer consultant design contracts.
• Ability to produce structural design plans and notes.
• Degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering or related field.
• Experience applying civil engineering principles and practices related to structural engineering, including strength of materials, statics and structural analysis.
• Experience in structural steel design, reinforced and prestressed concrete design, and soil mechanics.
• Knowledge of specifications, codes and regulations related to structural design (e.g., AASHTO and LRFD).
• Skill in using computers and software applications for engineering design.
• Valid Professional Engineer's license.

Additional Considerations

• Experience in bridge design engineering, repair, and rehabilitation.
• Experience in the design and analysis of bridges and structures.
• Experience managing projects and consultant contracts.
• Experience using AASHTO LRFD design specifications.
• Experience using MS Office, bridge design, and MicroStation software.

Physical Requirements

• VDOT employees must abide by VDOT's Code of Ethics and the Commonwealth's Standards of Conduct.
• Code of Ethics
• Standards of Conduct