Traffic Operations Engineer Jobs in Denver, CO (NOW HIRING)

Department: Engineering

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Denver, CO

Compensation: $90,000 - $115,000 / year

Engineer III - Traffic

Alta is looking for an Traffic Engineer III to join our traffic group in our Denver office. In this role, you will support and lead traffic engineering analysis, safety and planning studies, and design tasks for sustainable transportation projects focused on making a positive impact on communities around the country.

About Alta

Alta is a mission‑driven company working to mitigate climate change and advance safety and social justice by shaping sustainable, people‑centered communities. We bring together expertise across planning, design, engineering, education and encouragement programs, and community engagement to help communities thrive. Our work is grounded in the belief that how places are designed and experienced has a profound impact on equity, health, and opportunity—and that people should always be at the heart of those decisions.

Founded in 1996, Alta was at the forefront of the active transportation movement and has spent nearly 30 years partnering with communities to imagine a more connected, resilient, and inclusive future. Today, with more than 225 staff across the United States and beyond, we are a global leader in creating environments that support everyday life, strengthen human connection, and respond to the challenges of a changing world. Alta offers the opportunity to collaborate across disciplines, contribute to meaningful work at every scale, and be part of a team committed to making lasting, positive change for people and the places they call home.

Day-to-day responsibilities for this role include:

• Lead and support conceptual design plans and engineering-backed recommendations in partnership with safety, planning, and design teams.
• Conduct multimodal traffic engineering analyses, including traffic operations, safety assessments, corridor/intersection studies, signal operations review, and traffic simulation/modeling.
• Prepare traffic signal timing and retiming evaluations, including signal timing sheets and implementation support as needed.
• Develop cost estimates for safety, planning, and engineering projects.
• Develop traffic signal plans, street lighting plans, ITS design, signing/striping layouts, temporary traffic control plans (TCPs), and PS&E packages using AutoCAD and/or MicroStation.
• Apply MUTCD, Caltrans, NACTO, FHWA, and local agency standards to analysis findings and design solutions.
• Collaborate with engineers and planners to integrate bicycle, pedestrian, transit, accessibility, and safety enhancements into projects.
• Support quality control, constructability review, and coordination with clients and partner disciplines.
• Mentor junior staff in traffic analysis, design best practices, and project delivery.
• Implement best practices and process improvements to enhance project efficiency and consistency.
• Support traffic group leadership with business development, scopes, fee estimates, proposals, and client coordination.

Required

This position requires a combination of skills, experience and education including, but not limited to

• 5+ years of experience as a traffic engineer in a consulting environment or public entity.
• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD and/or MicroStation.
• Proficiency in Synchro, Vistro, VISSIM, SIDRA, and/or similar traffic analysis tools.
• Strong understanding of traffic analysis, traffic operations, multimodal safety, and engineering design principles.
• Demonstrated experience preparing Plans, Specifications, and Estimates packages for traffic design-related projects, including traffic signals, signing and striping, TCPs, ITS, and/or street lighting.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and multiple simultaneous projects with cross‑functional teams.
• Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills.
• Working knowledge of MS Excel, Word, MS Project, or equivalent tools.

There are a number of additional skills, experience, and education that would be beneficial to this position including, but not limited to:

• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state where the position is based, or ability to obtain within twelve months of hire; PTOE or California T.E. certification a plus.
• Transportation planning and operations experience, including signal timing, multimodal corridor studies, safety action plans, Vision Zero initiatives, or Safe System projects.
• Experience in active and non‑motorized transportation planning and design.
• Experience supporting traffic operations analysis using Synchro, VISSIM, Vistro, SIDRA, or similar tools.
• Proficiency in AGI and/or Visual Lighting.
• Experience supporting grant‑funded or federally funded safety and mobility projects.
• Active participation in industry‑relevant professional associations and committees.

Flexible Schedule

Alta offers a flexible, hybrid work schedule where most employees work from home three days per week. In‑office days support our collaborative culture, one of our core values.

Compensation

The pay range for this job in Denver is $90,000-$115,000 annually. Placement within the range is based upon experience, skill‑sets, and qualifications.

Benefits

Alta offers comprehensive benefits to all full‑time employees:

• Medical: PPO or HSA medical plans
• Dental/Vision: PPO
• Life Insurance: Alta pays 100% of the premium for life and AD&D, equal to your base compensation
• 401(k): Alta provides a match up to 3%
• PTO: 21 days accrued annually to start
• Holidays: 11 total company paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave/Short-Term Disability
• Additional Benefits: Wellness reimbursement up to $800 annually, Alta Gets Around benefit of up to $900 annually, 5-year travel award, and professional development opportunities