Design Project Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $98,737.60 - $137,529.60 Annually
Location : St. Peter, MN
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 00360
Department: Public Works
Division: Engineering
Opening Date: 07/23/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Under the general supervision of the Assistant Public Works Director/Assistant County Engineer, the Design/Project Engineer performs and manages skilled professional engineering work in the surveying, planning, design, ROW acquisition, and construction of County highway, bridge, and park projects. This position directly oversees the scope for all aspects of a construction project including survey, planning, design, and construction. This position provides guidance and acts as a lead technical resource to the Engineering Technicians for road, bridge, and park surveying, design, ROW acquisition, and construction services. This position directly oversees and supervises the preparation of plans and specifications by others for design and construction projects, as well as assists the Assistant Public Works Director/County Engineer and Public Works Director/County Engineer with long-range planning.
• Acts as a backup for engineering technicians during construction inspection during peak construction times and leaves of absences
• Administers and inspects construction projects to ensure compliance with plans, specifications, and permits
• Advises and leads the Engineering Technicians in the development of surveys, designs, ROW products, and plan production. Ensures the design and plan preparation process is productive
• Assists with the development and updates to long term capital improvement plan, long range transportation plans, and pavement maintenance program
• Attendance during regularly scheduled work hours and outside regular hours as necessary. Works the days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks. Must be available (especially during regular business hours) to communicate with subordinates, supervisors, customers, vendors, and any other person or organization with whom interaction is required to accomplish work and employer goals
• Attends public hearings and public information meetings to inform public of the intentions of the projects
• Coordinates with local, regional, State and Federal agencies on bridge inspections, environmental reviews, permits, and requests for information
• Develops and maintains bridge replacement program
• Develops and manages contracts, agreements, and consultants
• Develops and monitors pavement management and construction programs
• Develops CIP summary sheets and assembles CIP document
• Directs and conducts various studies and analyzes road conditions
• Ensures complete and accurate records are maintained for all construction activities and submits required records to appropriate agencies
• Interacts positively with internal and external customers. Communicates and interacts effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, individuals from other organizations, and customers
• Leads and assists with safety inspections of in-service highway and park bridges and input inspection data into MnDOT Structure Management System database
• Maintains and utilizes pavement management data to develop and recommend CIP projects. Develop bituminous and concrete pavement management system and maintain
• Manages and develops construction plans, contract documents, and ROW acquisition process
• Manages scope, schedule, resources, and risks of current and proposed projects to ensure department objectives are met
• Manages the annual construction program
• Negotiates in a timely manner the processes for requesting change orders or contract amendments for contract documents and professional design services and attends weekly construction meetings
• Performs and directs the design of county road, bridge, and park projects, plan preparation, project specifications and Engineer's estimate
• Performs and reviews complex engineering analysis for preliminary and final designs of transportation improvements including roadway geometrics and pavement; including hydrologic/hydraulic designs of drainage structures and storm water management needs
• Performs preliminary project planning and research
• Performs the physical and mental demands of the position
• Prepares and directs bid documents and maintains close involvement in the bidding process
• Prepares and maintains reports and documents such as developing bridge priority lists, annual construction maps, infrastructure reports, and weight restriction maps
• Prepares pavement preservation estimates, specifications, and bidding documents
• Provides construction support. Advises inspectors when problems occur
• Reviews all engineering plans and specifications for accuracy and completeness
• Reviews and calculates ROW needs. Assists with developing ROW acquisition documents and negotiations
• Reviews plans prepared by consultants and staff
• Schedules and conducts pre-construction conference with contractor, utilities, and County staff
• Utilizes AutoCAD Civil 3D for highway design and plan production
Minimum Qualifications of Education and Experience:• Valid MN Driver's License, and
• A bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field, and
• Proficient use of AutoCAD Civil 3D or similar road design software, and
• Six (6) years of technical highway engineering work experience in field/office, OR
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience to successfully perform the essential duties of the job
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:• Ability to obtain registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of Minnesota prior to employment, or ability to acquire within nine (9) months of hire
• Ability to obtain certification as a Bridge Safety Inspection Assistant Program Administrator within one (1) year of hire
• Ability to obtain various MnDOT certifications such as Aggregate Production, Bituminous Plant Inspector, Bituminous Street Inspector/Tester, Bridge Construction Inspector, Concrete Field Inspector/Tester, Concrete Plan Tester, and Grading and Base Inspector/Tester certifications within three (3) years of hire
• Ability to obtain MnMPCA Construction Site Management and Design of Construction SWPPP certifications within three (3) years of hire
• Ability to listen, comprehend, and effectively communicate information both written and orally to all individuals
• Ability to apply discretion, judgement, and organizational skills to a variety of projects, assignments, and situations
• Ability to make independent decisions, prepare narrative reports, and act as a liaison between department and regulatory agencies
• Ability to develop and maintain working relationships and informally negotiate with other departments, outside entities, and private consultants
• Ability to proficiently utilize AutoCAD Civil 3D
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
• Ability to make mathematical computations with and without mechanical assistance
• Ability to prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports
• Knowledge of applicable State, Federal, and local laws, rules, and regulations
• Knowledge of and ability to use computer software sufficient for departmental operations
• Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices
• Knowledge of record retention schedule principles
• Knowledge of developing and implementing goals, objectives, policies, and procedures
• Knowledge of governmental budgeting, accounting, information management, and personnel administration
• Knowledge of civil engineering principles and practices applicable to public works projects
• Knowledge of road design requirements, traffic patterns, possible funding available, and post history of roads
• Knowledge of basic MN/DOT requirements to design width of road, depth of aggregate and other materials for strength of road
• Knowledge of drainage patterns and drainage capacities of different types of structures
• Knowledge of MnDOT and FHWA design standards relating to roadway geometrics, structural strength, safety, and other design parameters
• Knowledge of the safety requirements and expectations applicable to the worksite
• Knowledge of highway and bridge planning, design, permitting and construction oversight
• Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up assignments with minimum direction
Nicollet County offers a competitive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, vision
• Pension plan for retirement
• Employer-paid long-term disability and life insurance
• 11.5 paid holidays
• Generous leave plans
• Public Sector Loan Forgiveness
• Free employee assistance plan service

01
Do you wish to claim veterans preference if you achieve a passing score? NOTE: If you elect to use veterans preference, you must provide documentation (DD214 and/or VA documents) establishing your right to claim the preference.

• Veteran: Defined as a person separated under honorable conditions that has served on active duty for a least 181 consecutive days or has completed the full period for which federally called to active duty; OR honorably discharged by reason of disability incurred while on active duty. (not active duty for training)
• Disabled Veteran: A veteran having a compensable service connected disability rating. (not active duty for training)
• Spouse of a disabled veteran with a service connected disability rating of 10% or greater, who is unable to work in the specific position being applied for.
• Spouse of a deceased veteran who died on, or as a result of, an active duty injury. (Spouse cannot have remarried.)
• Spouse of a deceased veteran who was disabled at time of death and died on, or as a result of, an active duty injury. (Spouse cannot have remarried.)
• Not a veteran or do not wish to claim a veterans preference.

02
Do you have a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a related field?

• Yes
• No

03
Do you have at least six (6) years of technical engineering work experience in field/office?

• Yes
• No

04
Do you have experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D or similar civil design software?

• Yes
• No

05
Are you currently registered as a Professional Engineer in the State of Minnesota, OR have the ability to acquire within nine (9) months of hire?

• Yes
• No

06
Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

07
Do you have various MPCA Construction Stormwater and MnDOT Inspector/Tester Certificaitons?

• Yes
• No

08
How many years of experience do you have performing detailed design for road, bridge, and culvert projects?

• Some: 3 years
• Moderate: 4-9 years
• Extensive: 10+ years

09
How many years of experience do you have preparing construction plans for road, bridge, and culvert projects?

• At least 2 years
• 2-5 years
• 5+ years

10
How many years of experience do you have developing construction specification for road, bridge, and culvert projects?

• At least 2 years
• 2-5 years
• 5+ years

11
How many years of experience do you have performing construction inspection and project management for road, bridge, and culvert projects?

• At least 2 years
• 2-5 years
• 5+ years

12
For how many construction projects have you been lead inspector on?

• 0
• 1-5
• 5+

13
Are you proficient in using AutoCAD Civil 3D for detail design work and plan production?

• Yes
• No

Required Question