Entry Level Horizontal Construction Engineer Jobs in Columbia, SC

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We are seeking an Entry-Level Civil Engineer to join our roadway design team supporting transportation infrastructure projects across South Carolina. The ideal candidate will be eager to learn roadway and highway design principles, gain familiarity with SCDOT design standards, and work alongside senior engineers to produce roadway plans and deliverables for state and local projects.

This position offers an excellent opportunity for hands-on experience with roadway design, plan production, and exposure to all phases of transportation projects - from concept through construction.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the design and preparation of roadway construction plans including alignments, profiles, cross-sections, and quantity summaries.
• Support senior engineers in developing right-of-way (ROW) plans, maintenance of traffic (MOT) layouts, and cost estimates.
• Learn and apply SCDOT roadway design standards, manuals, and plan preparation procedures.
• Draft and revise plan sheets using MicroStation and OpenRoads Designer (or Civil 3D, as applicable).
• Perform basic engineering calculations for horizontal and vertical geometry, drainage, and pavement design.
• Support the coordination of utilities, SUE (Subsurface Utility Engineering), and other design disciplines.
• Participate in field reviews, data collection, and coordination meetings with senior engineers and project stakeholders.
• Maintain organized project files and documentation following company and SCDOT QA/QC procedures.

Working Conditions & Environment

• Office-based position with occasional field visits or site observations.
• Standard 40-hour work week.
• Collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams including drainage, traffic, and structures.

Career Development

This role provides mentoring and growth opportunities under experienced roadway engineers. Entry-level engineers will gain exposure to SCDOT project development processes and be encouraged to pursue professional licensure (PE).

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering
• Basic understanding of civil design principles, roadway geometry, and CAD drafting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)
• EIT certification (or ability to obtain within 6-12 months of hire)

Preferred Qualifications

• Internship or prior experience on SCDOT or other DOT roadway design projects
• Familiarity with SCDOT Design Manual, Plan Preparation Guide, and Standard Drawings
• Experience with MicroStation or AutoCAD Civil 3D in an academic or professional setting
• Coursework or exposure to transportation engineering, highway design, and/or traffic engineering
• Interest in learning MicroStation, OpenRoads Designer, and SCDOT plan preparation standards
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills
• Degree from an ABET-accredited university

• Sponsorship for US employment authorization is not available now or in the future for this position. 
• Relocation support is available

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients' complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle - from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you'll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you've always envisioned. Here, you'll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community-where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.