BRIDGE ENGINEER JOB DESCRIPTION

Bridge engineering is a precise discipline. Plans interpreted incorrectly, calculations left unverified, or submittals reviewed too late can stall a transportation project for months and expose an agency to costly claims. The Bridge Engineer owns the structural integrity of design and inspection work on highway and public infrastructure projects, operating within frameworks like AASHTO standards and state DOT requirements that govern how bridges are analyzed, documented, and built. This role typically works across both office-based design and field inspection environments, answering to a Resident Engineer or senior project lead depending on project phase.

As the Bridge Engineer, you are responsible for producing structurally sound designs, accurate load ratings, and compliant contract documentation that keep transportation infrastructure projects on schedule and within specification. You work within a multidisciplinary project team spanning design, construction administration, and regulatory review, contributing technical judgment at every stage from preliminary engineering through construction closeout.

Career Impact: Demonstrated experience delivering PE-stamped bridge designs and DOT-compliant inspection reports is among the most portable credentials in civil infrastructure, with strong demand from state agencies and private consultancies alike.

Business Impact: The structural calculations and contract documents this role produces determine whether a bridge project advances through agency review, making accurate technical output the direct lever on project revenue and client retention.

Growth Opportunity: Engineers in this seat who develop load rating proficiency and DOT project management experience are well positioned to advance into Senior Bridge Engineer or Project Manager roles leading full design teams.

• Design bridge structures and develop construction drawings, specifications, and cost estimates to meet applicable DOT and AASHTO standards.
• Review contractor submittals and change order requests relating to structural elements to ensure compliance with contract documents.
• Perform structural analysis and load rating calculations on new and existing bridges to verify capacity and code conformance.
• Prepare technical reports on bridge conditions, rehabilitation needs, and design recommendations for agency and client review.
• Coordinate with Resident Engineers, project managers, and multidisciplinary team members to resolve structural discrepancies during construction.
• Administer the structural portion of the contract, verifying that documentation is generated, filed, and maintained in proper order.
• Support bidding and construction administration by preparing specifications and responding to requests for information from contractors.

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent work experience.
• 3 or more years of structural or bridge engineering experience, with demonstrated involvement in transportation infrastructure projects.
• Active Professional Engineer licensure or Engineer in Training certification, with PE licensure required or in progress.
• Knowledge of AASHTO standards, state DOT design specifications, and standard construction plans applicable to bridge and highway structures.
• Ability to interpret and administer contract documents including plans, specifications, permits, and change orders.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to produce clear technical reports and coordinate across project teams.
• Experience conducting or supporting field inspection, surveying, or construction observation on structural projects.

• Experience with state-specific DOT programs such as Caltrans, PennDOT, or equivalent agency procedures and construction manuals.
• Knowledge of deep foundation systems including CIDH piles or driven piles, falsework analysis, or shoring design and construction.
• Familiarity with bridge load rating software and structural analysis programs used in transportation project delivery.
• Experience preparing or responding to construction claims files, including documentation, reports, and supporting analysis.

• Submittal review turnaround time, measuring how promptly contractor structural submittals are evaluated and returned.
• Contract document accuracy rate, reflecting how often issued calculations and drawings pass agency review without major revision.
• Load rating completion rate, tracking the number of bridge evaluations finalized within project schedule milestones.
• Change order response time, measuring the speed and completeness of structural responses to contractor RFIs.
• Field inspection compliance rate, reflecting how consistently structure construction is verified against plans and standard specifications.
• Typical tools: Structural analysis software (commonly AASHTOWare BrR or SAP2000), CADD platforms (commonly MicroStation or AutoCAD).

• Base Salary Range: $75,000 to $105,000 annually, depending on experience and licensure status.
• Bonus: project-based or annual performance bonus, typically 5 to 10 percent of base salary.
• Equity: not standard for this role in most civil engineering consultancies.
• Health Benefits: medical, dental, and vision coverage standard across most employers in this sector.
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus standard federal holidays.
• Common Perks: PE exam fee reimbursement, professional development stipend, mileage or vehicle allowance for field assignments.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Work authorization in the United States is required for this position, and employment is contingent on successful completion of a background check. Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process upon request. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, and local law.

The Bridge Engineer owns structural inspection and contract administration for transportation projects, evaluating construction compliance with plans, specifications, and Caltrans standards. Working directly with the Resident Engineer and supervising field staff, this role ensures accurate documentation and sound resolution of structural discrepancies that support project delivery statewide.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate project structures construction in compliance with plans, specifications, and standard specifications with emphasis on structures.
• Work directly with and report to the Resident Engineer, providing technical expertise for structural administration.
• Read and interpret project plans, specifications, permits, and other pertinent contract documents.
• Generate and review contract change orders and requests for information relating to structure items.
• Review submittals from the contractor relating to structure items.
• Administer the contract's structures work and verify documentation is generated and filed in proper order.
• Supervise field staff and facilitate resolution of discrepancies or problems with contract documents relating to structures.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science or higher degree in Civil Engineering.
• PE Registration in the State of California desirable.
• 5+ years of experience in roadway or highway inspection, with minimum 2 years as lead worker in structure inspection.
• Experience with Caltrans practices, procedures, construction manuals, roadway and bridge construction projects.
• Knowledge of falsework analysis and construction, shoring analysis and construction, and deep foundations such as CIDH piles or driven piles.
• Knowledge of Caltrans Standard Plans, Standard Specifications, and Bridge Construction Manuals.
• Experience with equipment used in structure construction inspection, surveying, field testing, and construction office engineering.
• Experience in preparation of claims files, documents, reports, and assisting in claim response.
• Strong engineering judgment and ability to make sound determinations regarding contract documents.

Embedded within the bridge design team, the Senior Bridge Engineer performs complex structural planning, analysis, and design across steel plate girder, prestress concrete, segmental and cable bridges, box culverts, and interchange projects. Working closely with junior engineers and project stakeholders, this role delivers technical leadership that advances the quality and successful completion of mid-size to large transportation projects.

Core Functions

• Serve in a lead technical role on bridge design projects for transportation structures.
• Perform complex structural planning, analysis, and design for all structural aspects of transportation projects.
• Work on projects including steel plate girder, prestress concrete, segmental and cable bridges, box culverts, and interchange design.
• Serve as technical specialist or Project Manager on mid-size projects.
• Supervise junior engineers in the performance of engineering tasks.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years of bridge design experience.
• Proven hands-on experience in all aspects of bridge projects.
• Strong project management skills and demonstrated technical leadership.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Microstation, and AutoCAD.
• Familiarity with engineering software including PGSuper, SAP2000, CSiBridge, LARSA 4D, MathCAD, LEAP Bridge Enterprise, FB-MultiPier, LPile, AASHTOWare BrR, Midas Civil, MDX, ADINA, RM Bridge, spColumn, or LUSAS.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work with various teams.

Reporting to a senior project engineer, the Bridge Engineer II assists with design calculations, technical reports, and load rating for bridge design, rehabilitation, and evaluation projects. Partnering with CAD designers and engineering teams, this role contributes to accurate construction documentation and structural assessments that support safe and compliant bridge infrastructure.

Primary Duties

• Complete assignments including drawings, specifications, and materials suitable for procurement and construction purposes.
• Provide input and technical guidance to CAD designers and other engineers working on the same project.
• Assist with design calculations for various bridge design and rehabilitation projects.
• Assist with development of design and repair details for bridge projects.
• Assist with development of technical reports on bridge conditions.
• Assist with load rating calculations on various bridge evaluation projects.

Skills and Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, or Bachelor's degree in Engineering with 2 years of relevant experience.
• Engineer in Training (EIT) certification required.
• 1+ year of relevant experience with Master's degree, or 2+ years with Bachelor's degree.
• Working knowledge of CAD and other PC software packages typically associated with engineering.
• Fluency in English and knowledge of other languages.

Sitting at the intersection of structural engineering and project coordination, the Senior Bridge Engineer engages in design development, technical review, and permit facilitation across all phases of bridge and infrastructure projects. Operating across disciplines and client-facing meetings, this role enables project teams to deliver structurally sound, compliant, and commercially viable outcomes in line with Australian Standards.

Duties

• Engage in design development through sketches, electronic models, and diagrams, and prepare documentation across structural phases.
• Assist project engineers in developing and managing project scope including cost estimates, budget, staffing, and schedule.
• Participate in the permit process, including meetings with clients, contractors, reviewing agency personnel, and governing entities.
• Prepare portions of engineering proposals, change orders, and client communications for specific projects.
• Coordinate technical activities with personnel in other disciplines and serve as liaison between project engineer and design team.
• Provide independent technical review services for projects as requested.
• Monitor project progress, inspect construction sites, and verify calculations and placements to confirm adherence to construction specifications.

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
• Knowledge of Australian Standards.
• Ability to apply technical expertise balancing commercial profitability, QA adherence, and risk management.
• Ability to prioritise workloads to meet deadlines and mentor and motivate teams.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills with attention to detail.

A key member of the transportation engineering team, the Bridge Engineer designs steel and concrete bridges, prepares load ratings using AASHTOWare BrR, and contributes to business development through proposals and presentations. Collaborating across project bidding, construction administration, and lead generation, this role strengthens the firm's capacity to deliver state, city, and privately funded bridge projects throughout the northwest.

Functions

• Detail and design steel and concrete bridges and develop plans and specifications.
• Prepare Preliminary Engineering Reports, Concept, and Type Size Location Reports.
• Perform load rating of existing and new bridges using AASHTOWare BrR.
• Provide support for project bidding and construction administration.
• Participate actively in business development, lead generation, and contribute to proposals and presentations.

Technical Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
• Current Professional Engineer licensure in Oregon and Idaho, or ability to obtain within two years of hire.
• 2+ years in structural engineering design.
• Knowledge of concrete super and substructures and GRS-IBS type abutments.
• Working knowledge of bridge engineering software including PGSuper, PSBeam, and AASHTOWare Bridge Rating Software.
• Knowledge of MicroStation, OpenRoads Designer, and AutoCAD.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with proven project delivery record.

Successful delivery of transportation infrastructure depends on the Bridge Engineer, who develops plan details, prepares structural design calculations, and performs analysis for new and existing bridge and culvert projects using CADD and PennDOT-approved software. Based within a structural engineering team serving PennDOT and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission clients, this role directly supports compliant, cost-estimated, and specification-ready construction outcomes.

Accountabilities

• Develop plan details for new transportation structures and bridge and culvert maintenance, repair, rehabilitation.
• Replacement projects using CADD and engineering software.
• Prepare structural design calculations in accordance with applicable design standards and agency preferences.
• Perform structural analysis of new designs and existing structures using various bridge design software programs.
• Prepare construction cost estimates and specifications for various types of transportation projects.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from an ABET accredited program, Master of Science preferred.
• Minimum 4 years of relevant design experience in structural engineering.
• PennDOT and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission bridge design experience required.
• Familiarity with AASHTO, PennDOT, and PTC standards required.
• Experience with PennDOT design software and general purpose structural analysis software.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and MicroStation.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with ability to maintain positive working relationships.