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Pavement Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Tetra Tech

Pavement Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

This is not a narrow design-only or data-only role. It is designed for an engineer who wants to develop across the full pavement lifecycle while gaining exposure to both Texas-specific programs and ...

Brudis & Associates, Inc.

Design Engineer

Columbia, MD · On-site

... and pavement markings, ADA, sidewalk design, bicycle facilities, etc. Requirements: BS in Civil Engineering or related fields. Skills Required: Working knowledge of CADD and Microstation and ...

Braun Intertec

Senior Pavement Engineer

Bloomington, MN · On-site

$108K - $162K/yr

Write and review engineering reports and deliverables * Prepare project scopes, budgets, and ... Perform pavement thickness design calculations, development of rehabilitation strategies and ...

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Pavement Design Engineer information

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$40.5K

$88.2K

$158.5K

How much do pavement design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for pavement design engineer in the United States is $88,150.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,000.00 and $98,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Pavement Design Engineer vs Civil Engineer?

AspectPavement Design EngineerCivil Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Civil Engineering, specialization in pavement or transportation engineering, professional engineering license (PE)Bachelor's in Civil Engineering, PE license often preferred, broader engineering background
Work EnvironmentDesign offices, field testing sites, transportation agenciesConstruction sites, design offices, infrastructure projects
Industry UsageFocused on pavement materials, design, and durabilityWide range including transportation, structural, environmental projects
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

The main difference is that Pavement Design Engineers specialize in designing and analyzing pavement structures, focusing on materials and durability, while Civil Engineers have a broader scope, working on various infrastructure projects. Pavement Design Engineers often have specific certifications and work primarily in transportation-related environments, whereas Civil Engineers may work across multiple sectors.

What are some common challenges pavement design engineers face when working on large infrastructure projects?

Pavement Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as coordinating with multidisciplinary teams, adapting designs to site-specific geotechnical conditions, and ensuring compliance with evolving industry standards. Large projects may require balancing budget constraints with performance requirements and navigating strict timelines. Effective communication with contractors, transportation agencies, and environmental specialists is essential to address unforeseen field issues and deliver durable, cost-effective pavement solutions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a pavement design engineer?

To thrive as a Pavement Design Engineer, you need a solid background in civil engineering principles, pavement materials, and structural analysis, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and relevant licensure (such as EIT or PE). Proficiency with design software like AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and pavement analysis tools, along with knowledge of AASHTO standards, is essential. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you deliver accurate designs and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These skills ensure durable, cost-effective pavement solutions that meet safety and regulatory requirements.

What is a pavement design engineer?

A Pavement Design Engineer is a civil engineering professional who specializes in designing and analyzing pavement structures for roads, highways, airports, and other transportation infrastructure. Their work involves selecting appropriate materials, determining layer thicknesses, and ensuring the pavement can withstand traffic loads and environmental conditions. They use engineering principles, software tools, and standards to create safe, durable, and cost-effective pavement systems. Pavement Design Engineers often collaborate with other engineers, contractors, and government agencies throughout the design and construction process.
More about Pavement Design Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Pavement Design Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Pavement Design Engineer jobs are:
What job categories do people searching Pavement Design Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Pavement Design Engineer jobs are:
Pavement Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Pavement Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,150 per year, or $42.4 per hour.

Staff Pavement Engineer I

NICHOLS CONSULTING ENGINEERS CHTD

Richmond, CA • On-site

$73K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description

NCE is looking for civil engineers ready to join our talented and diverse pavement group in our Bay Area offices. Our team works with many cities and counties throughout California designing improvements and managing their street and road networks. We also consult at major airports, ports, and state highway agencies, so our work covers a broad range of projects. Our goal is to provide superior consulting services, resulting in highly satisfied clients and staff that continue to grow.

On a day-to-day basis, the Staff Pavement Engineer plays a vital role, gaining hands on experience in both field and office settings while assisting senior staff on a variety of projects. This can include evaluating pavement conditions, assisting field crews with materials sampling, collecting non-pavement assets, identifying and marking pavement repair and coring locations, producing pavement designs, and assisting with reports. Our group has a considerable wealth of experience and education, and we are constantly mentoring junior staff toward career growth and professional licensing.

At NCE, a Staff Pavement Engineer is encouraged and supported to innovate, investigate, discover, and learn. NCE fosters a collaborative work environment and provides avenues that encourage sharing knowledge, experiences, and new and creative ideas. A Staff Pavement Engineer is able to grow their skillset through a variety of experiences to advance their career.

The selected candidate will be willing to learn and assume technical responsibilities, travel, and demonstrate initiative and persistence. With training, the candidate will be able to perform the following key job responsibilities, including:

  • Performing fieldwork, including surveying pavement conditions, collecting non-pavement asset data, and marking core and repair locations.
  • Extracting non-pavement assets from 360° imagery.
  • Assisting with pavement design reports and field reports.
  • Assisting with pavement management update reports utilizing StreetSaver and Paver pavement management software.
  • Running pavement design programs, utilizing multiple designs and methods, such as Caltrans and AASHTO.

Qualifications (Must Have):

  • B.S. in Civil Engineering with up to 3 years of experience, or M.S.
  • Ability to work in the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento region.
  • Basic knowledge of and interest in pavement engineering, including design, materials, and management. Field and/or lab experience is beneficial.
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office. Knowledge of ArcGIS is helpful.
  • Strong written and communication skills.
  • EIT and ability to obtain CA PE License.

Qualifications (Nice to Have):

  • Taken courses in pavement engineering, pavement materials (asphalt and concrete), and pavement management
  • Pavement management work: 1 year (Preferred but not required)
  • Surveying pavement conditions: 1 year (Preferred but not required)

Working Conditions: May require field work (e.g., construction equipment and sites, roadway, drilling coring rigs, occasional remote locations, airports, and ports).

Salary range: $73,000 to $90,000 depending on experience