Traffic Operations Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Job Description:
At Parsons, we are shaping the future of transportation through innovative, data-driven solutions that improve safety, mobility, and connectivity for communities across North America. Our transportation professionals partner with public agencies to deliver complex transportation infrastructure projects involving traffic operations, traffic engineering, intelligent transportation systems (ITS), transportation technology, active transportation, transit, and emerging mobility solutions.
Parsons is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager - Traffic Engineering to support and expand our Traffic Engineering practice across Southern California. Reporting within our Traffic Engineering and Planning team, this role offers the opportunity to lead complex traffic engineering projects, manage multidisciplinary teams, cultivate key client relationships, and contribute to business growth while helping agencies solve today's transportation challenges.
As a senior project manager and seller-doer, you will lead traffic engineering and transportation operations projects from planning through implementation, manage project performance, support strategic pursuits, and serve as a trusted advisor to agencies including Caltrans, LA Metro, OCTA, RCTC, SCAG, SANDAG, local cities and counties, transit agencies, airports, ports, and private sector clients. You will collaborate closely with planners, roadway engineers, ITS specialists, data analysts, and engagement professionals while delivering innovative and practical mobility solutions.
The ideal location for this position is Pasadena, California, with hybrid work flexibility. Alternate California office locations include Irvine, Corona, and San Diego.
What Required Skills You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Traffic Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in traffic engineering, transportation operations, or infrastructure consulting.
• Demonstrated experience managing traffic engineering projects involving traffic operations, traffic signal systems, corridor studies, safety analysis, ITS, traffic impact studies, or transportation technology.
• Experience working with Southern California transportation agencies and stakeholders, including Caltrans, regional agencies, local jurisdictions, and transportation partners.
• Proven success managing project scope, schedule, budget, quality, and client expectations.
• Experience supporting business development, proposal preparation, and interview presentations.
• Strong understanding of transportation operations, traffic analysis, signal timing, and multimodal mobility solutions.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and mentor junior staff.
• Strong client relationship and stakeholder engagement skills.

What Desired Skills You'll Bring

• Master's degree in Transportation Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in California or ability to obtain reciprocity.
• PTOE certification or other relevant professional credential.
• Experience with traffic operational analyses using Synchro, HCS, VISSIM, SIDRA, Aimsun, TransModeler, or similar tools.
• Knowledge of California transportation design standards, MUTCD, CA MUTCD, Highway Capacity Manual, and transportation operations practices.
• Experience developing traffic signal plans, transportation systems management and operations (TSMO) strategies, ITS concepts, and corridor management programs.
• Experience supporting federally and state-funded transportation projects.
• Experience coordinating traffic engineering efforts with roadway design, planning, environmental, and public outreach teams.
• Active involvement in professional organizations and industry leadership activities.

What You'll Be Doing

• Manage traffic engineering and transportation operations projects throughout Southern California from project initiation through successful delivery.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams supporting traffic impact studies, corridor operations analyses, signal timing programs, active transportation initiatives, safety studies, TSMO programs, and ITS projects.
• Serve as a primary client contact, maintaining strong relationships and supporting long-term client success.
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk, and contract compliance.
• Support business development activities, including identifying opportunities, developing proposals, participating in interviews, and expanding existing client relationships.
• Oversee traffic operations analyses, traffic forecasting, microsimulation modeling, multimodal performance assessments, and operational improvement recommendations.
• Guide development of transportation operations strategies, signal timing programs, complete streets initiatives, safety improvements, and corridor management solutions.
• Coordinate closely with planning, roadway design, environmental, and transportation technology teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Mentor and develop traffic engineering staff while advancing technical excellence, innovation, and quality.
• Represent Parsons at client meetings, industry conferences, professional organizations, technical committees, and public workshops.

This position offers an exceptional opportunity to lead impactful transportation projects, work with some of Southern California's most important transportation agencies, and help shape the future of mobility, transportation operations, and smart infrastructure while working within a globally recognized infrastructure consulting organization.
Security Clearance Requirement:
None
This position is part of our Critical Infrastructure team.
For more than 80 years, our experts have designed and delivered the critical infrastructure that connects and protects communities around the world. We work in collaborative teams, both within the company and with our partners and customers, to plan, design, build, and modernize infrastructure. We take special pride in projects and solutions that improve communities as well as people's quality of life by promoting economic growth, enhancing mobility, and increasing sustainability and resiliency. Powered by our people, we provide the imagination necessary to support our customers' visions-and to help them see what's next!
Salary Range: $134,100.00 - $241,400.00
We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as medical, dental, vision, paid time off, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), 401(k), life insurance, flexible work schedules, and holidays to fit your busy lifestyle!
This position will be posted for a minimum of 3 days and will continue to be posted for an average of 30 days until a qualified applicant is selected or the position has been cancelled.
Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.
We truly invest and care about our employee's wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest-APPLY TODAY!
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