Engineer in Training I, Design

About the Role

The Engineer-in-Training position is located in the Colorado Department of Transportation's (CDOT) Engineering Residency in Denver, Colorado. This role is designed for individuals to gain engineering expertise and apply engineering theories, principles, and standards to the design and preparation of plans and specifications for highway projects, under the guidance of a licensed Professional Engineer. This is an entry-level engineering position providing design and construction support.

Key Responsibilities

• Learn to apply current engineering principles, theories, design specifications, applicable design standards, and engineering expertise to develop safe, efficient, and economical designs.
• Utilize appropriate engineering software to develop project plans.
• Learn to complete assigned design project tasks using engineering practices and calculation methods that meet current engineering design practices, including CDOT and AASHTO Guidelines.
• Learn documentation for design-related decisions.
• Participate in project scoping and consult with the Professional Engineer (PE) to recommend final designs for approval.
• Assist with tracking project activities and document them as design progresses.
• Track construction activities and document them as required.
• Assist with drafting Contract Change Orders/Minor Contract Revisions, letters, and construction engineering memos.
• Prepare a complete and accurate historical account of project activities and maintain an organized filing system for easy access to documents.
• Learn to manage a design project from scoping through advertisement.
• Learn to draft plans and specifications to CDOT, Local Agency, and Developer standards using established CDOT formats and worksheets.
• Track construction and contract budgets and generate spend down information for each contract.
• Support required financial reporting, including updating the federal financial plan and preparing monthly updates.
• Abide by all safety regulations, policies, and procedures and wear all required personal protective equipment.
• Attend and complete all required safety training.
• Drive CDOT vehicles to various projects and sites.

Work Environment

• Generally daytime hours, Monday - Friday; night and/or weekend work may be required during the construction season (April - November).
• Approximately 90% in-office and 10% in the field.
• Daytime travel during business hours to meetings, site visits, and industry events.
• Overnight travel may be required for out-of-town work during certain projects.
• Required to drive CDOT vehicles.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in engineering.
• December 2026 graduates are welcome.
• A copy of your transcript(s) or an official NACES credential evaluation report must be submitted.
• Current enrollment as an Engineer-Intern by the Colorado Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors will substitute for the required degree.
• Current, valid licensure as a Professional Engineer from the Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers, and Professional Land Surveyors will substitute for the required degree.
• Must pass a pre-employment screening (social security number trace, criminal records check, public court records check, educational records, and driving records checks).
• A current valid driver license is required.
• Must obtain licensure as a professional engineer by the Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers, and Professional Land Surveyors within eight years of initial appointment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated success with the duties listed in the Description of the Job section is preferred.
• Years of State service experience related to the duties of this position is preferred.
• Highest work/personal ethics and integrity is preferred.
• Knowledge and experience with civil engineering design and construction for transportation projects is preferred.
• Knowledge of CDOT Materials Manual, CDOT Roadway Design Manual, CDOT Project Development Manual, CDOT Construction Manual, CDOT Standards & Specifications Manual for Road and Bridge Construction, CDOT Field Materials Manual, CM/GC Manual, CDOT PEL Manual, AASHTO Roadside Design Guide, and MUTCD is preferred.
• Maintain current working knowledge of engineering processes, theories, laws, principles, conceptual models, and best practices is preferred.
• Interest in working on Construction Management/General Contractor (CM/GC) projects is preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, priorities, and projects in a demanding environment is preferred.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and be adaptable to changing assignments is preferred.
• Ability to take initiative to solve problems in an innovative manner is preferred.
• Ability to work with the general public, professionals, consultants, and staff, with sensitivity to their needs, priorities, promises made, and commitments is preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills are preferred.
• Strong time and project management skills, including prioritization and project switching ability, are preferred.
• Excellent reasoning, investigative, analytical, and problem-solving ability are preferred.
• Excellent facilitation, presentation, and communication skills, both written and oral, are preferred.
• Strong attention to technical detail and accuracy is preferred.
• Passion for safety is preferred.
• Ability to work effectively in both independent and team situations is preferred.
• The desire to perform field construction inspections and work outside is preferred.
• The desire to promote through the EIT program at CDOT to become a Licensed Engineer with the ultimate goal of managing inspectors and testers while administering construction contracts and ensuring that the contractor is following the plans and specifications on capital improvement and asset management construction projects is preferred.
• Fluency in MS Word, MS Excel, MS Project, Project Wise, Open Roads, In Roads, Gmail, Google Suite, SAP, and the ability to quickly learn other software systems is preferred.