Bridge Design Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Position Information
Would you enjoy having a hand in sculpting the future of the Houston landscape? TxDOT's Houston District Bridge Design Section is looking for a new Bridge Designer. This position will work within our design team to plan, model, design, and detail new bridges as well as bridge rehabilitation for a variety of transportation projects throughout the Houston District's 6-county area. Apply if you have previous bridge design or other structural design background! TxDOT has a diverse workforce of over 12,000 employees statewide. TxDOT provides employees with great benefits, training, and many opportunities for career advancement. We strive to maintain a positive work-life balance by providing opportunities to collaborate with team members in a safe and friendly work environment.
The Texas Department of Transportation reserves the sole right in determining the level of position based on the applicant's work experience, education, skill level and all other appropriate factors, and based on business needs.
Benefits and Perks
At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including:

• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.
For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package
To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)
Position Description
Transportation Engineer I
Performs transportation engineering work in one or more functional areas such as planning, project development and design, construction, transportation/traffic operations and maintenance. Ensures compliance with applicable federal and state laws, policies, procedures, standards and guidelines. Work requires contact with governmental officials and private entities. Employees at this level follow standard practices that do not require frequent supervision of details.
Essential Duties:

• Assists in reviewing shop drawings prepared by fabricators for bridges and related structures.
• Assists in the development of specifications for special bridge design details and projects.
• Designs moderately complex bridge projects and performs specialized design.
• Develops and/or reviews engineering related documents, correspondence, reports and remediation plans.
• Drives/travels to project/work locations to make on-site engineering reviews, analyses, tests and to provide technical support.
• Makes presentations and represents TxDOT.
• Reviews designs and detailed drawings of bridges and related structures prepared by other engineers and technicians.
• Reviews literature, technical data, material specifications and procedures.
• Reviews shop drawings, plans, specifications, estimates, supplemental agreements and change order requests.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Transportation Engineer II
Performs complex transportation engineering work in one or more functional areas such as planning, project development and design, construction, transportation/traffic operations and maintenance. Ensures compliance with applicable federal and state laws, policies, procedures, standards and guidelines. Work requires contact with governmental officials and private entities. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.
Essential Duties:
The essential duties for this job include those listed above and the following

• Develops specifications for special bridge design details and projects.
• Reviews shop drawings prepared by fabricators for bridges and related structures.
• Designs complex bridge projects and performs specialized design.
• Performs complex structural analysis of bridge designs.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:
Transportation Engineer I
Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering or related science bachelor's or higher degree accepted by TX PELS.
Experience: 4 years engineering, transportation engineering, or related engineering experience (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent). Related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis . Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications
Transportation Engineer II
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering or related science bachelor's or higher degree accepted by TX PELS.
Experience: 5 years engineering, transportation engineering, or related engineering experience (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent). Related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis . Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications
Transportation Engineer I and II
Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid driver's license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
• Licensed Prof Engineer*
• For Bridge Inspection: Must have completed a comprehensive training course based on the Bridge Inspector's Training Manual or NICET Level III or IV certification in Bridge Safety Inspection within (1) year of date of hire.

*Professional engineers licensed in another state in the United States, but not currently licensed in the State of Texas, must (1) meet the license requirements of the State of Texas Engineering Practices Act, (2) obtain a professional engineering license from the State of Texas within six (6) months of the date of hire, and (3) sign an agreement to that effect as a condition of employment.
Preferred Qualifications:
Transportation Engineer I and II
Previous bridge design or other structural design experience. Ability to work within a CAD environment and structural analysis software. Ability to work well in a team environment and communicate professionally. Self-motivated to learn new skills. Ability to read and understand plans and construction sequences.
Competencies:
Transportation Engineer I and II
Considerable knowledge of

• Standards and specifications for bridges and other transportation structures
• Fatigue and fracture mechanics
• Bridge construction and evaluation methods, procedures and regulations
• Computerized structural analysis techniques

Proficient skill in

• Researching, analyzing, and interpreting policies and state and federal laws and regulations specific to functional area
• Applying engineering principles, practices, and methods in job responsibilities
• Performing basic design and drafting
• Performing calculations to include material and labor estimates, expenses, technical survey data and engineering
  calculations
• Developing and giving presentations
• Using computers, applicable programs, applications, and systems

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
Transportation Engineer I and II

• Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions
• Required to wear protective gear - respirator, hard hat, or other devices
• Light work: Lift up to 20 lbs. at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs.
• Climbing - ascending/descending ladders, stairs, scaffoldings, ramps, etc.
• Balancing - walking, standing, crouching on various surfaces without falling
• Stooping - bending body downward and forward by bending spine at waist
• Crouching - bending body downward and forward by bending leg(s) and spine
• Reaching - extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction
• Talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words
• Hearing - perceive sound at normal speaking levels; receive information by oral communication
• Close Visual Acuity - work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading
• Visual Acuity - determine work quality/make general observations of facilities/structures

Conditions of Employment:
Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)

• This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical.
• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation - 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) - does not authorize "medical marijuana" under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.