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Junior Operations Engineer Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Prime AE Group Inc

Traffic Engineer III

KY · On-site

$95K - $115K/yr

Mentor and support the professional development of junior engineers and designers. * Assist with ... Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (PTOE) certification required. * Minimum 6 years of ...

Lochmueller Group

Traffic Engineer

Louisville, KY

$83K - $113K/yr

... traffic signal operations, signal and ITS design, comprehensive planning, transit planning ... May assist with reviewing the work of technicians or junior staff for completeness and conformance ...

GAI Consultants

Traffic Engineer

Florence, KY

$86K - $117K/yr

Mentors junior staff by providing guidance, explaining professional responsibilities, and reviewing work products. * Attends project meetings and presents specific aspects of engineering assignments.

GAI Consultants

Traffic Engineer

Louisville, KY

$79K - $108K/yr

Mentors junior staff by providing guidance, explaining professional responsibilities, and reviewing work products. * Attends project meetings and presents specific aspects of engineering assignments.

GAI Consultants Inc.

Traffic Engineer

Louisville, KY · On-site

$83K - $113K/yr

Mentors junior staff by providing guidance, explaining professional responsibilities, and reviewing work products. * Attends project meetings and presents specific aspects of engineering assignments.

GAI Consultants Inc.

Traffic Engineer

Florence, KY · On-site

$86K - $117K/yr

Mentors junior staff by providing guidance, explaining professional responsibilities, and reviewing work products. * Attends project meetings and presents specific aspects of engineering assignments.

Holder Construction

Operations - Senior Engineer

Lexington, KY · On-site

$103K - $142K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Engineer to join our Operations team on our project in Franklin Furnace ... Lead with integrity and exemplify Holder's culture by mentoring and developing junior associates on ...

Holder Construction

Operations - Senior Engineer

Lexington, KY · On-site

$103K - $142K/yr

... Senior Engineer to join our Operations team on our project in Franklin Furnace, OH. This is a ... Lead with integrity and exemplify Holder's culture by mentoring and developing junior associates on ...

Amazon

Senior Automation Engineer

Erlanger, KY · On-site

$102K - $134K/yr

Operations is at the heart of Amazon's business. We are known for our speed, accuracy, and ... You'll mentor junior engineers and lead cross-functional teams to optimize material handling ...

Wood Plc

Junior Water Resources Engineer

Louisville, KY

$75K - $103K/yr

Overview / Responsibilities Wood is currently recruiting entry level Water Resources Engineers in ... We provide consulting, projects and operations solutions in more than 60 countries, employing ...

GE Appliances

Senior Applied AI Engineer

Louisville, KY · On-site +1

$100K - $137K/yr

Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and contribute to team knowledge sharing Operational Support & Continuous Improvement * Monitor and troubleshoot production issues ...

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All JobsOperations Engineer JobsJunior Operations Engineer JobsJunior Operations Engineer Jobs in Kentucky

Junior Operations Engineer information

See Kentucky salary details

$29.1K

$62.4K

$95.1K

How much do junior operations engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior operations engineer in Kentucky is $62,360.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,100.00 and $69,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Junior Operations Engineer vs Operations Technician?

AspectJunior Operations EngineerOperations Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, operations, or related fieldTechnical diploma or associate degree, relevant certifications
Work EnvironmentOffice and field, involved in planning and troubleshootingField-based, hands-on equipment maintenance and monitoring
Employer & Industry UsageUtilities, manufacturing, energy sectorsManufacturing plants, energy facilities, industrial sites
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for entry-level roles with technical focusCompared for operational support and maintenance roles

The Junior Operations Engineer typically focuses on planning, analysis, and troubleshooting within engineering frameworks, requiring a degree. Operations Technicians are more hands-on, performing maintenance and monitoring tasks. Both roles are essential in industrial settings but differ mainly in their responsibilities and required qualifications.

What is a junior operations engineer?

Junior Operations Engineers are entry-level professionals who support the daily operations of a company's technical infrastructure. They assist in monitoring systems, identifying and resolving operational issues, and ensuring that hardware and software systems run smoothly. Junior Operations Engineers often work under the guidance of senior engineers, learning essential system administration, troubleshooting, and process optimization skills. Their role is crucial in maintaining system reliability and supporting business continuity.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a junior operations engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Junior Operations Engineer, you need a solid understanding of computer systems, networking fundamentals, and basic scripting or programming, typically supported by a relevant degree or certification. Familiarity with monitoring tools, cloud platforms (like AWS or Azure), and configuration management systems is often required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication set standout candidates apart. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring reliable operations, quick issue resolution, and smooth collaboration within technical teams.

What are some common challenges faced by junior operations engineers in their first year, and how can they be overcome?

Junior Operations Engineers often encounter challenges such as managing unfamiliar systems, adapting to on-call rotations, and troubleshooting issues under time pressure. To overcome these, it's helpful to actively seek mentorship from senior team members, document new processes, and participate in regular team knowledge-sharing sessions. Building strong communication skills and a foundational understanding of the organization's infrastructure will also ease the transition and lead to faster problem-solving.
What are the most commonly searched types of Operations Engineer jobs in Kentucky? The most popular types of Operations Engineer jobs in Kentucky are:
Junior Operations Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Junior Operations Engineer job openings in Kentucky as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,360 per year, or $30 per hour.

Traffic Engineer III

Prime AE Group Inc

KY • On-site

$95K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

We Make Everything Around Us Better

At PRIME AE, that’s not a slogan, it’s how we work.


Every bridge, building, campus, park, and roadway we design exists to improve how people live, move, learn, and connect. Through architecture, engineering, planning, and consulting, we partner with clients to create thoughtful, practical solutions that leave communities stronger than we found them.


If you want your work to matter, and to be surrounded by smart, collaborative people who care about doing things the right way, you’ll feel at home here.


Who We Are:

PRIME AE Group, Inc. (www.primeeng.com) is a nationally ranked, full-service architecture and engineering firm driven by collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to strengthening the communities we serve. With a growing footprint of offices across the country and a diverse team of more than 550 professionals, we partner with public and private sector clients to deliver thoughtful, high-impact solutions across transportation, education, healthcare, municipal, federal, commercial, and recreational markets.


Our culture blends entrepreneurial energy with the resources of a scaled, multidisciplinary platform—giving our people the opportunity to shape meaningful projects while influencing the future direction of the firm. As PRIME AE continues to expand its capabilities, geographic reach, and leadership bench, this is an exciting time to join a team that is building momentum, investing in growth, and empowering leaders to make a lasting impact.


The Opportunity:

We are currently seeking a Traffic Engineer III to join our Lexington, Louisville, or Fort Mitchell, KY offices.

In this role, you will serve as a technical leader on traffic engineering and transportation projects, helping clients improve mobility, safety, and operational performance across roadway networks. You will lead the planning, analysis, and design of traffic engineering solutions while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, public agencies, and stakeholders to deliver innovative and practical transportation improvements.


This position is ideal for an experienced traffic engineering professional who enjoys balancing technical excellence with project leadership, client engagement, and staff development. You will have the opportunity to work on a variety of transportation projects while mentoring junior engineers and contributing to the continued growth of our transportation practice.


What You'll Do:

As a Traffic Engineer III, you will lead traffic engineering studies, design efforts, and technical analyses for transportation projects throughout Kentucky and the surrounding region. You will serve as a technical resource to project teams and clients, ensuring projects are delivered in accordance with applicable standards, project requirements, and client expectations.


You will work closely with roadway engineers, planners, public agencies, and project stakeholders to develop transportation solutions that improve safety, efficiency, and mobility for the traveling public.


Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead and perform traffic engineering analyses, including traffic impact studies, signal warrant analyses, safety studies, corridor evaluations, and operational assessments.
  • Develop and review traffic engineering designs, including traffic signals, signing, pavement markings, maintenance of traffic plans, and temporary traffic control.
  • Prepare and oversee plans, specifications, estimates, technical reports, and supporting project documentation.
  • Serve as a technical lead or task manager on traffic and transportation projects, ensuring quality, accuracy, and compliance with applicable standards.
  • Apply MUTCD, AASHTO, KYTC, and local agency standards to develop effective and constructible transportation solutions.
  • Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, subconsultants, and agency stakeholders throughout project development and delivery.
  • Support client meetings, agency coordination efforts, and presentations of technical findings and recommendations.
  • Review technical deliverables and provide guidance to engineers, designers, and technical staff.
  • Mentor and support the professional development of junior engineers and designers.
  • Assist with project planning, scope development, proposal preparation, and business development initiatives as needed.


What You'll Bring:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from an ABET-accredited engineering program.
  • Active Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
  • Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (PTOE) certification required.
  • Minimum 6 years of progressive experience in traffic engineering or transportation engineering.
  • Demonstrated experience leading traffic studies, signal design, signing and pavement marking plans, traffic control plans, and transportation operations analyses.
  • Proficiency with traffic engineering software such as Synchro, HCS, VISSIM, SIDRA, or similar analysis tools.
  • Experience with design platforms including AutoCAD, MicroStation, OpenRoads Designer, or related software.
  • Strong knowledge of MUTCD, KYTC standards, AASHTO guidelines, and applicable traffic engineering practices.
  • Proven ability to independently manage technical assignments and exercise sound engineering judgment.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting technical information to clients, agencies, and stakeholders.
  • Ability to manage multiple assignments while working effectively both independently and within a collaborative team environment.
  • Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to mentor staff and contribute to project and team success.


Why PRIME AE:

We don’t just fill positions; we invest in people.


At PRIME AE, you’ll find a supportive, flexible environment where careers are built intentionally, not accidentally. You’ll work on projects that improve everyday life, alongside colleagues who challenge and respect one another.


What sets us apart:

  • Career Growth: Flexible career paths across disciplines, from technical expertise to project and people leadership.
  • People-First Culture: We value trust, integrity, and collaboration, and we mean it.
  • Meaningful Work: Projects that strengthen communities, infrastructure, and public spaces.
  • Growth with Purpose: Strategic expansion backed by strong leadership and investment.
  • National Reach, Local Feel: Big-firm resources with the agility and relationships of local offices.


Our Commitment:

PRIME AE Group is committed to creating an inclusive environment where differences are respected, voices are heard, and everyone has the opportunity to succeed.



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