Entry Level Engineer Jobs in Wheat Ridge, CO (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $69,720.00 - $76,680.00 Annually
Location : Aurora, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: HAA-50003827-08/26
Department: Department of Transportation
Division: CDOT Region 1
Opening Date: 08/10/2026
Closing Date: 8/24/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Type of Announcement: This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Primary Physical Work Address: 18500 E Colfax Ave, Aurora, CO 80011
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt; position is eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information: Brenda at
Hiring Pay Rate: The 2026 Step Pay Program may increase the salary range for employees with time in the class series.
How To Apply: Please submit an online application for this position at Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.
Department Information
This position is only open to Colorado state residents.
New employees to the State will be paid biweekly. There are 26 biweekly pay periods in a year.
About CDOT
CDOT employees make a difference by providing freedom, connection, and experience to the traveling public, while also keeping them safe. The State of Colorado offers competitive medical, dental and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending and health savings accounts. Visit the State of Colorado benefits for details, current premium rates and a summary video about benefits. The state also offers PERA retirement, great optional PERA plans such as 401K, a generous paid time off package of annual, sick, holiday and other leave, strong career growth, tuition reimbursement and professional development. Perks include Colorado Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP) counseling, wellness, credit union membership and employee discount program. Visit CDOT Benefits for details. Some positions may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
CDOT for All
CDOT's strength is our people, and our commitment to our people is to shape, support, and sustain the employee experience, and ultimately, create a supportive workplace where everyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, education, disability, socio-economic status, or any other identity, has the opportunity to thrive.
The eligible list created from this announcement may be used to fill current and future vacancies for a period of up to 6 months.
Description of Job
About the Work Unit
The purpose of South Engineering unit is to provide engineering expertise in developing, building, and maintaining a safe and integrated transportation system. The unit manages and oversees projects for upgrading, reconstructing, and maintaining the highway system along with other projects that have federal, state and local funds. Design, design oversight, construction management, The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation management, consultant management, and overall project management are provided.
About the Position
As the Engineer-In-Training I (EIT I), Design, you will carry out established work processes and operations by learning to apply and follow procedures, techniques, rules, and regulations and will be overseen by a licensed Professional Engineer. This position provides entry level engineering design and construction support for the unit. Performs engineering work tasks to complete project design plans and construction inspection/oversight. Develop designs under the guidance of a Professional Engineer and executes work assignments of a progressively more complex nature requiring independent engineering judgment and design analysis in preparation for eventually becoming a licensed Professional Engineer. Ensure construction contract completion in compliance with the contract documents that include project plans and specifications.
Your duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following

• Learn to complete assigned design project tasks using engineering practices and calculation methods that meet current engineering design practices including CDOT and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Guidelines.
• Learn to evaluate survey information, culvert reports, traffic studies, site conditions, and environmental constraints.
• Assist with coordinating with various other units within the Region and Staff Branches to incorporate data from those units into the design.
• Learn to determine the most efficient and effective (Cost, Safety, Driver Comfort, and Environmental Impact) roadway geometry (Horizontal and Vertical Alignment and roadway template) utilizing the latest software in use by the Department.
• Learn to calculate pay quantities and use the quantities to estimate the construction working days by reviewing production rates based on previously completed projects and determining whether the production rates are applicable for a project and adjust as necessary.
• Learn to prepare construction plans and specifications. Learns to include appropriate Standard and Special Project Specifications for inclusion in the PS&E submittal (Plans, Specifications, & Estimate) and ensure plan quality checks to avoid/limit errors.
• Assemble data, calculations, figures, reports, and daily diaries for project records of work performed.
• Learn to draft Contract Change Orders/Minor Contract Revisions, letters and construction engineering memoranda.
• Learn to maintain and prepare project progress payments, overs/unders report, Form 65 (Financial Statement), schedules and other project documentation as necessary.
• Learn to maintain official project records by receiving, reviewing and approving related correspondence, reports and submittals.
• Attend project progress and milestone meetings and prepare meeting minutes for review by Project Manager before sending out to project team for review and acceptance.
• Learn to document progress and final contract payments due for work completed and accepted by reviewing pay documentation prepared by staff.
• Learn to prepare and maintain design schedules using CDOT scheduling software for all projects.
• Keeps milestone dates in PMWeb up to date based on the design schedule and also keeps construction drawdown schedules up to date with current construction progress payments.
• Utilize PMWeb software to provide project updates, create Project Development Plans, enter estimates and create funding projections, and check off completed tasks during the design and construction phases.
• Learn to prepare and review construction schedules for incorporation into the Form 859.
• Learn to review plans and specifications to identify problems with constructability, potential claims for additional costs and delays.
• Learn to review negative impacts to the public, local industry and environment. Reviews include CDOT, Local Agency and Developer plans and specifications.
• Draft as-constructed details onto original plan sheets.
• Document justification and approval of changes, along with acceptance of non-specification work or materials.

Work Environment

• Your schedule will primarily be Monday through Friday from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (possible hybrid schedule after training)
• Travel required during work hours throughout Region 1 to project sites, meetings and trainings.
• Approximately 10% spent in the field, 90% spent in the office
• Regular travel required during work hours for project related activities, site visits, meetings, trainings and conference attendance.
• Some overnight travel throughout Colorado to projects throughout the Region and meetings.
• Required to work outside in all weather conditions, in close proximity to moving traffic, and over variable terrain.
• May need to work during nighttime hours if construction projects requires work to be performed during times outside of normal working hours.
• Required to operate CDOT vehicles

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Minimum Qualifications
Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Civil Engineering.

Substitutions:

• Current enrollment as an Engineer-Intern by the Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, 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.

Please Note: The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application. "See Resume" statements on the application or resumes in lieu of a complete application may not be accepted. Additional information submitted after the closing date of this announcement will not be considered in the review of your application. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.
College Transcripts: If you are using education to qualify, a legible copy of your official or unofficial college transcript(s) or an official foreign credential evaluation report must be submitted with your application. Transcripts must show the name of the school, completed credit hours, and (if applicable) that a degree was conferred. Transcripts from colleges or universities outside of the United States must have been assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. The credential evaluation report must be an official report. Failure to provide a transcript or official foreign credential evaluation report may result in your application being rejected and you will not be able to continue in the selection process for this position.
Conditions of Employment

• If you are selected, you must provide a copy of your transcript showing that an engineering degree has been conferred by the date of hire as a condition of employment.
• It is a CDOT condition of employment that individuals hired to the class of Engineer-In-Training I must obtain enrollment as an Engineer Intern by the Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors within three years of the initial appointment to the EIT I classification.
• It is a CDOT condition of employment that individuals hired to the class of Engineer-In-Training must obtain registration as a Professional Engineer by the Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors within eight years of the initial appointment to the EIT classification.
• Must pass a pre-employment screening which may include social security number trace, criminal records check, public court records check, educational records, and driving records checks. More information in the supplemental information section.
• A current valid driver's license is required for this position as it requires operating a state or personal motor vehicle to perform one or more essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications
Theexceptional applicantwill possess the proven ability or accomplishment in the following:

• Demonstrated success with the duties listed in the Description of the Job section.
• Years of State service experience related to the duties of this position.
• Highest work/personal ethics and integrity.
• Knowledge and experience with civil engineering design and construction for transportation projects.
• Knowledge of the 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 Manual, CDOT PEL Manual, AASHTO Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, AASHTO Roadside Design Guide, and MUTCD.
• Maintain current working knowledge of engineering processes, theories, laws, principles, conceptual models, and best practices.
• Strong interest and experience in transportation design engineering field.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, priorities, and projects in a demanding environment.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and be adaptable to changing assignments.
• Ability to take initiative to solve problems in an innovative manner.
• Ability to work with general public, professional, consultants, and staff, with sensitivity to their needs, priorities, promises made and commitments.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills.
• Strong time and project management skills, including prioritization and project switching ability.
• Excellent reasoning, investigative, analytical, and problem-solving ability.
• Excellent facilitation, presentation, and communication skills, both written and oral.
• Strong attention to technical detail and accuracy.
• Passion for safety.
• Ability to work effectively in both independent and team situations.
• The desire to perform field construction inspections and work outside.
• The desire to promote through the EIT program at CDOT to become a Licensed Engineer.
• Fluency in MS Word, MS Excel, MS Project, Project Wise, OpenRoads Designer or other Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) programs, Gmail, Google Suite, PMWeb, SAP, and the ability to quickly learn other software systems.

Supplemental Information