Entry Level Structural Engineer Jobs in Schenectady, NY

Duties Description Under the direction and supervision of a licensed professional engineer, incumbents perform a
variety of duties depending on assignment. Engineer Trainees/Assistant Engineers are found
throughout DOT in a variety of programs.
When assigned to STRUCTURES, typical duties will include, but are not limited to:
• Prepare and/or check designs for bridges and other structural components;
• Prepare and/or check layouts for entire bridge structures; and
• Assist in field inspection of project sites or existing bridge and structures
When assigned to DESIGN, typical duties will include, but are not limited to:
• Prepare 3D plans for highway and bridge projects using CADD;
• Assist with the preparation of project reports (e.g. project scoping reports, design reports,
drainage reports), development of engineer's estimates, project scheduling and gathering
and compilation of site data; and
• Develop notes and specifications for specialty work.
When assigned to TECHNICAL SERVICES, typical duties will include, but are not limited to:
• Provide technical expertise in to the Department's design, construction, and maintenance programs which includes; Failure analysis, non-destructive testing, geotechnical design and technical support, construction training, and construction materials mix development
• Represent the Department as member of several industry and national expert task groups
• Research and development - Evaluate and implement new materials and processes and monitor the performance of materials used on Department projects
When assigned to CONSTRUCTION, typical duties will include, but are not limited to:
• Serve as Engineer-In-Charge of construction projects or assist engineers in supervising and inspecting major construction projects.
• Conducts physical inspections and tests and takes measurements of construction in progress and on completion.
• Prepare inspection reports, with documentation, about construction progress and contractor compliance with specifications and noting steps taken to resolve disputes and problems.
• Coordinate activities of contractors, sub-contractors, utilities, local governments, and other affected parties to assure contract progress and scheduled completion.
• Prepares estimates for materials, supplies, and equipment and computes payments to
contractor for completed work.
When assigned to TRAFFIC SAFETY & MOBILITY, typical duties will include, but are not limited to:
• Propose, implement and grow Transportation Systems Management and Operations to advance the Department's Performance and Innovation goals including non-intrusive detection, traffic signal optimization, variable message signs, asset/data management and connectivity,
• Perform traffic engineering and safety studies including field measurements, computer modeling, and written communication to constituents according to State and Federal guidelines,
• Review, compile and coordinate highway work permits including engineering plans, traffic impact studies, and local projects impacting State Right of Way,
• Assist in all aspects of Work Zone Traffic Control including lane closure restrictions, automated work zone speed enforcement, oversize/overweight truck permit route review and design plan review.
• Develop guidance on traffic control matters for use by the Department and other entities within the State.
• Review, issue, and track NYSDOT Regional work orders as part of the Statewide Sign Requirements contracts.
• Develop standard sign design templates and training resources for NYSDOT personnel.
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 competitive appointment if reachable from the appropriate Civil Service eligible list or eligible for reassignment or transfer in accordance with Civil Service Law.
Additional Comments 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 $69,964.
The starting salary for an Assistant Engineer is $84,532. This amount is comprised of the base salary of $77,532 with an additional geographic pay differential of $7,000, specific to this title and location.
The maximum compensation for this position is $105,354. This amount is comprised of the standard job rate of $98,354 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 Recruitment
Telephone
Fax
Email Address Recruitment@dot.ny.gov
Address
Street NYS Department of Transportation
50 Wolf Road
City Albany
State NY
Zip Code 12232
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 MO-26-301 and last name in the subject line and referenced in the letter of interest, no later than October 13, 2026, to:
New York State Department of Transportation
Recruitment Office
50 Wolf Road
Albany, NY 12232
Email: Recruitment@dot.ny.gov