Trainee Mechanical Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Duties Description Under the direction and supervision of a licensed professional engineer, incumbents perform a variety of duties depending on assignment. Engineer Trainees/Assistant Engineers are found throughout DOT in a variety of programs.
When assigned to DESIGN, typical duties will include, but are not limited to:
*Prepare 3D plans for highway and bridge projects using CADD;
*Assist with the preparation of project reports (e.g., project scoping reports, design reports, drainage reports),
development of engineer's estimates, project scheduling and gathering and compilation of site data; and
*Develop notes and specifications for specialty work.
While positions are being filled for specific program areas, ET/AE's may be assigned to various program areas
throughout their employment based on operational need. Occasionally, incumbents may also be called upon to
support department needs in other locations. This effort could range from participating remotely to occasional
travel as necessary to support program operations, capital program delivery, emergency efforts or other critical
department initiatives.
Responsibilities may include serving a role within the Incident Command System to support the department's response to regional and statewide emergency situations.
Minimum Qualifications This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).*
To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, or 55 b/c, candidates must meet the open competitive minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:
Engineer Trainee:
Either 1. a bachelor's degree or higher in engineering or engineering technology as listed below;
Or 2. proof of passing the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE) AND one year of full-time engineering experience as listed below.
As an Engineer Trainee, you will serve a 24-month traineeship that leads to Assistant Engineer, Grade 20. To advance to Assistant Engineer, you must have obtained proof of passing the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE) and successfully completed the requirements of the traineeship to the satisfaction of the appointing authority. At the discretion of the appointing authority, early advancement to the Assistant Engineer is possible if you have obtained your FE and have successfully completed twelve months of the traineeship. It is your responsibility to notify the appointing authority's personnel office upon obtaining proof of passing the FE. You may receive an increase in salary upon obtaining your FE. Information about this increase will be provided by the appointing authority.
Assistant Engineer:
Either 1. proof of passing the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE) AND a qualifying bachelor's degree or higher as listed below;
Or 2. proof of passing the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE) AND one year of full-time qualifying engineering experience as listed below.
Qualifying degrees: Civil Engineering, Civil Engineering Technology, Construction Engineering, Construction Engineering Technology, Construction Engineering Management, Construction Engineering Management Technology, Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Electrical Power Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Engineering Technology, Environmental Design Engineering, Environmental Resources Engineering, Environmental Systems Engineering, Forest Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Hydraulics Engineering, Materials Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Structural Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Transportation Planning and Engineering, or Engineering Science with a recognized concentration in any of the above listed engineering degrees.
Qualifying experience: One year of full-time engineering experience in the design and construction of parks, roads, bridges, recreational facilities, water and/or wastewater treatment facilities.
Candidates may also be qualified for permanent competitive appointment if reachable from the appropriate Civil Service eligible list or eligible for reassignment or transfer in accordance with Civil Service Law.
Additional Comments Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
*For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.
At a future date, it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in an NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.
Your required educational credentials must have been awarded by an educational institution accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the United States (U.S.) Department of Education/Secretary of Education. If awarded by an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of companies that provide these services (fees must be paid to the company you choose) can be found at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfmt
The starting salary for an Engineer Trainee position is $66,951.
The starting salary for an Assistant Engineer is $81,193. This amount is comprised of the base salary of $74,193 with an additional geographic pay differential of $7,000, specific to this title and location.
The maximum compensation for this position is $101,121. This amount is comprised of the standard job rate of $94,121 with an additional geographic pay differential of $7,000, specific to this title and location.
In addition, a Mid-Hudson Adjustment of $2,000 or a Downstate Adjustment of $4,000 may also apply depending on the location of the position.
DOT is an equal opportunity employer.
Disabled persons are encouraged to apply. In compliance with Public Law 99-603, candidates selected for appointment must provide an original document to prove their citizenship and/or legal right to work in the United States. Candidates for employment must have proper authorization to work in the United States at the time an offer of employment is made. The Department will not sponsor a nonimmigrant for a temporary employment visa (H-1B or similar), OPT STEM, or for permanent residence. Offers of permanent employment may not be made to nonimmigrants whose employment authorization is limited to a period of practical training (F-1 or similar).
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name Miranda Schingledecker
Telephone
Fax
Email Address Miranda.Schingledecker@dot.ny.gov
Address
Street NYS Department of Transportation - Office of Design
50 Wolf Road, POD 2-3
City Albany
State NY
Zip Code 12232
Notes on Applying Qualified candidates should submit a letter of interest, a current resume, and a copy of required transcripts (if applicable), titled by last name, with the Notice Number MO-26-245 and last name in the subject line and referenced in the letter of interest, no later than July 31, 2026 to:
New York State Department of Transportation
Miranda Schingledecker
Office of Design
50 Wolf Road, POD 2-3
Albany, NY 12232
Email: miranda.schingledecker@dot.ny.gov