Design Engineer

About the Role

The Design Engineer will develop road design plans for INDOT using OpenRoads Designer software. This role involves participating in site visits, running project coordination meetings, and training junior staff. The position will operate a state vehicle for project travel and field work/reviews.

Note: A Professional Engineering license is not required for the Engineer Trainee classification. Candidates with an Engineering degree and an Engineer in Training (EIT) license may be hired at a lower salary and can receive promotional increases upon achieving milestones, including obtaining their Professional Engineering license.

Location

• INDOT's Central Office in Indianapolis.

Salary

• Traditionally starts at an annual salary of $75,010.00.
• May be commensurate with education and job experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Planning & Project Management:
• Serve as a resource for proposal development and research process.
• Ensure milestones, deliverables, and implementation strategies are established accurately.
• Assist supervisor in strategic planning and resource utilization.
• Provide project reviews in accordance with established performance standards.
• Ensure all plans reflect the scope of services, existing field conditions, appropriate design standards, and sound engineering judgment.
• Program Management:
• Coordinate programs and plans for the division/department.
• Interpret laws, regulations, and guidelines within the area of assignment.
• Review program plans for completeness, economic, and technical feasibility.
• Design and Research:
• Assist in the development of programs, research development, and technology plans (road maps) to improve product quality.
• Review research proposals and reports for accuracy, effectiveness, and potential for implementation.
• Inspection:
• Organize, conduct, and review engineering investigations and field observations with a defined scope.
• Technical & Data Analysis:
• Assist in analyzing engineering data.
• Develop technical guidelines, technology initiatives, training course materials, and other technical documents.
• Testing:
• Assist in laboratory testing with "research grade equipment" related to materials/bridge/traffic research.
• Quality Control:
• Participate in Quality Control / Quality Assurance programs to ensure policy and best practices are deployed.
• Analyze field data and review plans for conformance to design criteria.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• OpenRoads Designer
• AASHTO Design Specifications
• AASHTO Standard Specifications and Tests
• ASTM Standards
• Indiana Design Manual (IDM)
• Indiana Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (IMUTCD)
• INDOT standard specifications and standard drawings
• Scheduling Project Management System (SPMS)
• Deighton Transportation Information Management System (dTIMS)
• ArcGIS
• Work Management System (WMS)

Qualifications

• A registered Professional Engineer license in Indiana is required.
• Exceptions may be considered for candidates holding an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) certification who are actively pursuing PE licensure in Indiana, provided they are applying for a lower-level classification.
• Must have a valid Driver's License.
• Extensive knowledge of and ability to apply civil engineering theories, principles, methods, and procedures.
• Broad knowledge of planning, design, or construction of highway or transportation project features (such as roads, bridges, pavement, or traffic structures) in accordance with engineering design and construction standards, principles, and methods.
• Extensive knowledge of and ability to apply federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and procedures governing the incumbent's field of specialization.
• Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) functions.
• Ability to prepare and review complex design plans and reports.
• Ability to perform algebraic, trigonometric, and higher mathematical computations applied to design operations.
• At least 4 years of professional experience in engineering, civil engineering, transportation research, or a closely related field, applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role, may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Additional Requirements (Depending on Assigned Specialty)

• Bridge:
• Ability to use bridge design software such as CONSPAN, RC-Pier, GEOMATH, and Merlin Dash.
• Required to complete National Highway Institute Courses: “130055: Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges” or “130056: Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges for Professional Engineers”.
• Required to complete National Highway Institute Course “130053: Bridge Inspection Refresher Training” at intervals not to exceed 60-months.
• Recommended to complete National Highway Institute Course “130078: Bridge Inspection Techniques for Nonredundant Steel Tension Members (NSTM)”.
• Attend INDOT Bridge Inspection training classes and annual Local Transportation Assistant Program (LTAP) training as scheduled.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports

• This role may provide direct supervision for one or more staff members.