Assistant System Engineer Trainee Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Duties Description Incumbents will work under the direction and supervision of a licensed professional engineer.
When assigned to Design, typical duties will include, but are not limited to:
• The incumbents would perform a variety of duties depending on assignment. Engineer Trainees' typical duties may include but are not limited to: design of capital roadway or bridge projects including site investigations, preparation of engineering drawings utilizing 2D/3D CADD applications, and preparation of estimates, or may fill the role of an assistant team leader for a bridge/culvert inspection crew. Assistant Engineers will perform the aforementioned duties, as well as draft project reports, supervise and review the work of engineering technicians, perform quality control review of project documents prepared by others for consistency with Department standards and for constructability, assist in public outreach, and provide construction support.
When assigned to Construction, typical duties will include, but are not limited to:
• Assistant Engineers - Civil/Transportation (AEs) can be assigned to work in the regional construction office, in field assignments on construction projects, and in the Technical Services Unit. Field assignments on construction projects could include being an Engineer-In-charge, Office Engineer, or Inspector. Assignment in the Technical Services Unit could include functioning as the Geotechnical Engineer, Laboratory Supervisor, Laboratory IAST coordinator, or Plant Quality Assurance Technician. Overnight stay, night work and weekend work may be required for field assignments.
When assigned to Traffic, typical duties will include, but are not limited to:
• Under the direction and supervision of a licensed professional engineer, the incumbent would perform a variety of duties. Engineer Trainee's typical duties may include, but are not limited to: transportation geometric design including intersection and work zone design & design of traffic control devices and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). Engineering work to include site investigations, preparation of engineering drawings & construction estimates, traffic engineering & safety studies, highway capacity analyses and traffic management. Assistant Engineer's will perform the aforementioned duties, as well as prepare Traffic Engineering Reports & other project documents, supervise and review the work of engineering and/or traffic systems technicians, perform complex operational analyses for system optimization, coordinate ITS and assist with Surface Transportation Control and work zone quality assurance activities.
While positions are being filled for specific programs areas, AEs may be assigned to various program areas throughout their employment based on operational need. Occasionally, incumbents may also be called upon to support department needs in other locations. This effort could range from participating remotely to occasional travel as necessary to support program operation, capital program delivery or other critical department initiatives.
At the time of appointment, and continuously thereafter, candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to meet the travel requirements of the position by maintaining a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State and/or having access to reliable transportation.
Responsibilities may include serving a role within the Incident Command System to support the department's response to regional and statewide emergency situations.
Minimum Qualifications This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).*
To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, or 55 b/c, candidates must meet the open competitive minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:
Engineer Trainee:
Either 1. a bachelor's degree or higher in engineering or engineering technology as listed below;
Or 2. proof of passing the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE) AND one year of full-time engineering experience as listed below.
As an Engineer Trainee, you will serve a 24-month traineeship that leads to Assistant Engineer, Grade 20. To advance to Assistant Engineer, you must have obtained proof of passing the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE) and successfully completed the requirements of the traineeship to the satisfaction of the appointing authority. At the discretion of the appointing authority, early advancement to the Assistant Engineer is possible if you have obtained your FE and have successfully completed twelve months of the traineeship. It is your responsibility to notify the appointing authority's personnel office upon obtaining proof of passing the FE. You may receive an increase in salary upon obtaining your FE. Information about this increase will be provided by the appointing authority.
Assistant Engineer:
Either 1. proof of passing the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE) AND a qualifying bachelor's degree or higher as listed below;
Or 2. proof of passing the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE) AND one year of full-time qualifying engineering experience as listed below.
Qualifying degrees: Civil Engineering, Civil Engineering Technology, Construction Engineering, Construction Engineering Technology, Construction Engineering Management, Construction Engineering Management Technology, Geological Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Hydraulics Engineering, Materials Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Structural Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Transportation Planning and Engineering, or Engineering Science with a recognized concentration in any of the above listed engineering degrees.
Qualifying experience: One year of full-time engineering experience with transportation projects related to highways/roadways, railroads, bridges, airports, waterways, building structures, or traffic management and safety systems.
Candidates may also be qualified for permanent appointment if reachable from the appropriate Civil Service eligible list or eligible for reassignment or transfer in accordance with Civil Service Law.
Additional Comments Region 3, Senator Hughes State Office Building, Syracuse NY, Onondaga County
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
*For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.
At a future date, it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in an NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.
Your required educational credentials must have been awarded by an educational institution accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the United States (U.S.) Department of Education/Secretary of Education. If awarded by an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of companies that provide these services (fees must be paid to the company you choose) can be found at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfmt
The starting salary for an Engineer Trainee position is $66,951.
The starting salary for an Assistant Engineer is $81,193. This amount is comprised of the base salary of $74,193 with an additional geographic pay differential of $7,000, specific to this title and location.
The maximum compensation for this position is $101,121. This amount is comprised of the standard job rate of $94,121 with an additional geographic pay differential of $7,000, specific to this title and location.
In addition, a Mid-Hudson Adjustment of $2,000 or a Downstate Adjustment of $4,000 may also apply depending on the location of the position.
DOT is an equal opportunity employer. Disabled persons are encouraged to apply.
In compliance with Public Law 99-603, candidates selected for appointment must provide an original document to prove their citizenship and/or legal right to work in the United States. Candidates for employment must have proper authorization to work in the United States at the time an offer of employment is made. The Department will not sponsor a nonimmigrant for a temporary employment visa (H-1B or similar), OPT STEM, or for permanent residence. Offers of permanent employment may not be made to nonimmigrants whose employment authorization is limited to a period of practical training (F-1 or similar).
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name Nicole Clark
Telephone
Fax 315-428-4283
Email Address R3-HR-personnel@dot.ny.gov
Address
Street NYS Department of Transportation
333 East Washington Street
City Syracuse
State NY
Zip Code 13202
Notes on Applying Qualified candidates should submit a letter of interest, a current resume, and a copy of required transcripts (if applicable), titled by last name, with the Notice Number R03-25-75 and last name in the subject line and referenced in the letter of interest, no later than June 30, 2026.
***PLEASE INCLUDE R03-25-75 IN SUBJECT LINE***