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Highway Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Candidates hired without their EIT will be titled "Highway Designer" and will be expected to obtain their EIT for career progression * Local candidates preferred #LI-AG2 Required Qualifications

Candidates hired without their EIT will be titled "Highway Designer" and will be expected to obtain their EIT for career progression * Local candidates preferred #LI-AG2 Qualifications Required ...

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Highway Designer information

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$21.5K

$65.4K

$112K

How much do highway designer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for highway designer in the United States is $65,444.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,500.00 and $85,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a highway designer?

A Highway Designer is a civil engineering professional responsible for planning, designing, and overseeing the construction of roads, highways, and related infrastructure. They use specialized software and engineering principles to develop safe, efficient, and cost-effective roadway layouts. Their work includes analyzing traffic patterns, considering environmental impacts, and ensuring compliance with government regulations and standards. Highway Designers often collaborate with other engineers, surveyors, and public agencies throughout the design and construction process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a highway designer?

To thrive as a Highway Designer, you need strong skills in civil engineering principles, roadway design, and familiarity with relevant standards, usually supported by a degree in civil engineering or a related field. Proficiency in design software such as AutoCAD Civil 3D, MicroStation, and knowledge of highway design manuals and DOT regulations are typically required. Excellent problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills help you collaborate with stakeholders and address design challenges effectively. These competencies ensure the creation of safe, efficient, and compliant transportation infrastructure.

What are some common challenges faced by highway designers during the project lifecycle?

Highway Designers often encounter challenges such as coordinating with multiple stakeholders—including engineers, environmental specialists, and government agencies—to ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Balancing technical requirements with environmental concerns and public interests can be complex, especially when designing routes in densely populated or sensitive areas. Additionally, adapting to evolving transportation technologies and integrating sustainable solutions often requires continuous learning and collaboration. Effective communication and adaptability are key to overcoming these challenges and delivering successful projects.

What is the difference between Highway Designer vs Civil Engineer?

AspectHighway DesignerCivil Engineer
Required CredentialsTypically a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field; may require certification in highway designBachelor's degree in civil engineering; licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) often preferred
Work EnvironmentDesign offices, field sites during project planning, and construction phasesDesign offices, construction sites, and project management settings
Industry UsageSpecialized in highway and roadway design within transportation projectsBroader civil infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, and utilities

While both roles require civil engineering knowledge, Highway Designers focus specifically on roadway layouts and highway projects, whereas Civil Engineers have a broader scope including various infrastructure projects. Highway Designers typically work within transportation agencies or consulting firms specializing in highway projects, making their roles highly specialized in roadway design.

How to become a highway designer?

To become a highway designer, typically a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a related field is required. Gaining experience with design software such as AutoCAD and understanding transportation engineering principles are important, along with obtaining relevant licensure or certification as needed by the region or employer.
More about Highway Designer jobs

What states have the most Highway Designer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Highway Designer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Highway Designer jobs?

For Highway Designer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Highway Designer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,444 per year, or $31.5 per hour.

Highway EIT/Designer

Fulton, MD

HDR
Specialized Design Services • 5 - 10K employees

Full-time

Re-posted 23 hours ago


HDR rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 61 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story' 

We believe transportation is more than movement, it's the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR's Transportation Business Group, you'll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn't just a job, it's a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world. 
 

In the role of Highway EIT, we'll count on you to: 
 
  • Work on a team with other project engineers on the detailed design of urban and rural roadway projects
  • Take responsibility for alignment and profile, geometrics, drainage, development of plans and construction estimates
  • Provide assistance with the creation and submission of technical reports, specifications and calculations
  • Perform other duties as needed   

Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering or related engineering field
  • EIT or the ability to obtain. Candidates hired without their EIT will be titled "Highway Designer" and will be expected to obtain their EIT for career progression
  • Local candidates preferred

#LI-AG2


 

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or similar field
  • An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.


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About HDR

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At HDR, we specialize in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. While we are most well-known for adding beauty and structure to communities through high-performance buildings and smart infrastructure, we provide much more than that. We create an unshakable foundation for progress because our multidisciplinary teams also include scientists, economists, builders, analysts and artists.

Industry

Specialized design services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Omaha, NE, US

Year founded

1917