Transportation Engineer

Why CDM Smith?

Check out this video and find out why our team loves to work here!

Imagine a place committed to offering an unmatched employee experience. Where you work on projects that are meaningful to you. Where you play an active part in shaping your career journey. Where your co‑workers are invested in you and your success. Where you are encouraged and supported to do your very best and given the tools and resources to do so.

Where it’s a priority that the company takes good care of you and your family. Our employees are the heart of our company. As an employer of choice, our goal is to provide a challenging, progressive and inclusive work environment which fosters personal leadership, career growth and development for every employee. We value passionate individuals who challenge the norm, deliver world‑class solutions and bring diverse perspectives.

Join our team, and together we will make a difference and change the world.

As a key member of our Transportation team, you’ll play a central role in shaping the future of Illinois’ roadway network through innovative, high‑impact engineering solutions. At CDM Smith, you’ll contribute to projects that improve mobility, safety, and quality of life—while growing your career in a supportive, collaborative environment.

• Lead the development of major transportation projects—including highways, interchanges, and complex urban/rural roadway designs—delivering solutions that meet client needs and industry standards.
• Drive high‑quality design production, reviewing draft plans for compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and providing sign‑off on final designs.
• Champion technical excellence, ensuring firm best practices and design standards are consistently applied across all project work.
• Engage directly with clients, collaborating to understand their priorities and aligning design strategies with their long‑term goals.
• Coordinate day‑to‑day technical delivery, ensuring all project components integrate seamlessly and meet CDM Smith’s quality expectations.
• Promote efficiency and consistency across multidisciplinary teams and project workflows.
• Perform project quality management and support technical integration across roadway, drainage, structures, traffic, and other design disciplines.
• Prepare and review design calculations for roadway geometry, drainage, and related engineering components.
• Develop project‑specific specifications, special provisions, and cost estimates that reflect technical accuracy and client requirements.
• Support field investigations, assessing existing conditions and documenting findings to inform design decisions.
• Collaborate with business development teams, helping craft compelling proposals and responses to RFPs.
• Represent CDM Smith at conferences and industry events, enhancing the firm’s visibility and strengthening client and industry relationships.
• Mentor, guide, and oversee junior engineers, providing technical direction, coaching, and opportunities for career development.

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Transportation, or Structural Engineering or related discipline.
• Professional engineering (PE) license.
• 7 years of related experience.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required. The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands.
• Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Professional Engineer

• Experience working on Illinois DOT (IDOT) projects.
• Expert knowledge of IDOT Design Manuals, Standards, Specifications, and Guidelines.
• Proficiency with Open Roads Designer (ORD).
• Strong technical writing skills, including the ability to develop work plans and lead technical discussions.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary project tasks or serving as a design lead on complex infrastructure projects.

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