Trainee Automotive Research Engineer Jobs in Indiana

Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
About the Indiana Department of Transportation:
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) provides a dynamic workplace that serves Indiana citizens, improves our state's quality of life, and enhances its economic opportunity. INDOT has a number of innovative programs and projects, including Public-Private Partnerships, Green Initiatives, and cutting-edge uses of materials and assets. As part of the State of Indiana, INDOT offers a competitive total compensation package, as well as outstanding work/life balance. Whether you are an established professional in the transportation field or just starting your career, INDOT has exciting and challenging opportunities for you.
Role Overview:
The Bridge Inspection Engineer conducts inspections of bridges, large culverts, and retaining walls to maintain public safety and confidence, and to protect public investment. Bridge Inspectors must conform to the National Bridge Inspection Standards by inspecting bridge biennially (frequency may be extended or reduced), assigning ratings to bridge elements and reporting findings in accordance with the coding guidance developed by the Federal Highway Administration and INDOT. Bridge inspectors also inspect large culverts and retaining walls, evaluating material deterioration and member distress and reporting findings in accordance with the Large Culvert or Retaining Wall inspection guidelines developed by INDOT.
Engineer Trainee:
A Professional Engineering license is not required for this position. Candidates who have an Engineering degree and a current Engineer in Training license (EIT), but do not hold a professional license, may be hired at a lower minimum salary and are eligible for promotional increases upon achieving milestones including years of experience and obtaining their Professional Engineering license. Upon obtaining a Professional Engineer license, the salary traditionally starts at an annual salary of $75,010 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.
Location:
This position is with INDOT's Vincennes District.
Salary:
This position traditionally starts at an annual salary of $75,010.00 but may be commensurate with education and job experience. Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.
A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Planning & Project Management: Serve as a resource for proposal development and research process. Ensure milestones, deliverables, and implementation strategies, are established accurately. Assist supervisor in the development of strategic planning and resource utilization. You will participate in providing project reviews in accordance with the Agency's established performance standards. Ensure that all plans reflect the scope of services, existing field conditions, appropriate design standards, and sound engineering judgment.
• Program Management: Coordinate programs and plans for the division/department; interpret laws, regulations, and guidelines within area of assignment; review program plans for completeness, economic and technical feasibility.
• Design and Research: Assist in the development of programs, research development & technology plans (road maps) to improve product quality. Review research proposals and report to ensure their accuracy, effectiveness, and potential for implementation.
• Inspection: Organize, conduct, and review engineering investigations, field observations, which have a defined scope.
• Technical & Data Analysis: Assist in analyzing engineering data and developing technical guidelines, technology initiatives, training course materials and other technical documents.
• Testing: Assist in laboratory testing with "research grade equipment" related to materials/bridge/traffic research
• Quality Control: Participate in Quality Control / Quality Assurance programs to ensure policy and best practices are actively deployed, analyze field data, and review plans for conformance to design criteria.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.
This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.
What You'll Need for Success:
Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

• A registered Professional Engineers license in Indiana is required; exceptions may be considered for candidates holding an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) certification who are actively pursuing PE licensure in Indiana, provided they are applying for a lower-level classification.
• Must have a valid Driver's License.
• Extensive knowledge of and ability to apply civil engineering theories, principles, methods, and procedures to the engineering specialty.
• Broad knowledge of planning, design, or construction of highway or transportation project features (such as roads, bridges, pavement, or traffic structures) in accordance with engineering design and construction standards, principles and methods.
• Extensive knowledge of and ability to apply federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and procedures governing incumbents filed of specialization.
• Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply computer aided design and drafting functions to field of specialization.
• Ability to prepare and review complex design plans and reports relating to the functional area of specialization.
• Ability to perform the algebraic, trigonometric, and higher mathematical computations applied to design operations.
• Extensive knowledge of and ability to apply the provisions of American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Design Specifications, AASHTO Standard Specifications and Tests, ASTM Standards.
• Working knowledge of Indiana Design Manual (IDM), Indiana Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (IMUTCD), INDOT standard specifications and standard drawings.
• Knowledge of department systems not limited to Scheduling Project Management System (SPMS), Deighton Transportation Information Management System (dTIMS), ArcGIS, and Work Management System (WMS).

A degree is not required. However, at least 4 years of professional experience in engineering, civil engineering, transportation research, or a closely related field, applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role may be considered.
Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
May need additional requirements depending on the assigned specialty:

• Bridge: Ability to use bridge design software such as CONSPAN, RC-Pier, GEOMATH, and Merlin Dash. Required to complete one of the two National Highway Institute Courses "130055: Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges" or "130056: Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges for Professional Engineers". Required to complete National Highway Institute Course "130053: Bridge Inspection Refresher Training" at intervals not to exceed 60-months. Recommended to complete National Highway Institute Course "130078: Bridge Inspection Techniques for Nonredundant Steel Tension Members (NSTM). Attend INDOT Bridge Inspection training classes and annual Local Transportation Assistant Program (LTAP) training as scheduled.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
This role may provide direct supervision for one or more staff members.
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Referral Bonus program
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
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