What does a Transportation Engineer do?
Transportation engineers plan, design, and build transportation systems and infrastructures such as highways, bridges, streets, and tunnels – along with supporting systems to handle things like lighting, safety, and traffic control. They devise strategies for incorporating innovative and efficient technologies into the design and building processes. They provide technical expertise, prepare drawings and schematics, and oversee day-to-day operations as projects are being executed. They perform analysis and calculations to determine capacity, identify and address safety concerns, and assist with problem resolution throughout all phases of the design, construction, and maintenance processes.
Transportation engineers typically have at least a bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline, although an advanced degree is preferred by some employers. Proficiency using CAD programs and tools is expected. In-depth familiarity with DOT design processes and standards is helpful.
- Participate in service improvement/resiliency initiatives and key projects.
- Actively communicate with clients to ensure needs are being met.
- Analyze challenges, define successful solution alternatives and proactively solve problems.
- Conceive, plan and conduct research in complex problem areas.
- Participate in vendor, supplier, and contractor management at worksites.
- Conduct analysis and audits of electrical and civil systems, and lead improvements.
- Perform hydrologic and hydraulic design of various type of complex highway structures.
- Participate in a triage engineering rotation and an on-call engineering rotation.
- Learn and assist with basic surveying activities on construction projects.
- Responsible for writing and maintaining associate technical documentation for data centers.
- Understand client expectations, budgeting, proposal writing, invoicing and collecting accounts receivable.
- Must be able to lift and carry 50 pounds.
- Review, assistance and modification of reports, specifications and studies.
- Liaise with clients, agencies, and others to obtain and determine project requirements and approvals.
- Assist in the management of larger projects or manage smaller projects.
- Conduct neighborhood meetings to identify and understand traffic and transportation issues and propose effective solutions.
- Review the implement improvements to current hydraulic and drainage policy and procedures.
- Learn the duties of installation and repair of bridges/joints.
- Bachelor's or Graduate's Degree in civil engineering, computer science, engineering or electrical engineering, or equivalent experience.
- Experience with AutoCad, VISSIM, Ruby On Rails, Ruby, CAD, and ReAct software and systems.
- Attention to detail and a strong work ethic.
- Prior experience as a consultant.
- Able to collaborate with teams to come up with project designs and cost estimates.
- Experience with geopak, frameworks, and highways.
- Fluent in test automation and web technologies as applicable.
- Can harness leadership at all times.
- Familiar with processing change orders.
Transportation Engineer Salaries
Average Base Pay
Transportation Engineer Career Path
Learn how to become a Transportation Engineer, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Transportation Engineer Insights
AQUILA Air Traffic Management Services“Pay is not the highest in the industry but still very good at least in the engineering branch.”
Transport for London“Holiday is good and lengthy”
Asurion“Good payouts and bonuses.”
Hong Kong Transport Department“High salary and stable.”
Kimley-Horn“Personal growth potential is good”
ALLIANCE Engineers & Consultants“Professional and job security with good career growth”
“life balance and have a good companion”
CN“great pay once qualified.”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of a Transportation Engineer
- Structural Engineer
- Civil Engineer
- Traffic Engineer
- Structural Design Engineer