Transportation Engineer: Role Overview, Responsibilities & 2025 Salary Data
Transportation Engineers plan, design, and manage projects that improve mobility and safety for roadways, highways, transit systems, and multimodal networks. They balance technical design with community needs and regulatory requirements.
What Does a Transportation Engineer Do?
Transportation Engineers plan, design, and manage projects that improve mobility and safety for roadways, highways, transit systems, and multimodal networks. They balance technical design with community needs and regulatory requirements.
What Does a Transportation Engineer Responsible For?
- Design roadway alignments, intersections, and traffic control systems
- Conduct traffic studies and capacity analysis
- Prepare construction plans, specifications, and estimates
- Coordinate with DOT agencies, municipalities, and stakeholders
- Perform hydraulic and drainage design for transportation projects
- Conduct site investigations and field surveys
- Manage consultant coordination and project schedules
- Ensure compliance with AASHTO, MUTCD, and local standards
Transportation Engineer Qualifications & Requirements
Technical Skills
- •Roadway geometric design
- •Civil 3D and MicroStation proficiency
- •Traffic analysis software (Synchro, HCS, VISSIM)
- •AutoCAD and GIS tools
- •AASHTO Green Book and MUTCD standards
- •Hydraulics and drainage design (HEC-RAS, StormCAD)
- •PE license (preferred or in progress)
- •Familiarity with DOT standards and processes
Professional Competencies
- •Problem-solving and engineering judgment
- •Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and agencies
- •Effective written and verbal communication
- •Project management and time management
- •Attention to detail and quality control
- •Public engagement and stakeholder relations
Education & Certifications
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering with transportation emphasis
Certifications:
PE License preferred; PTOE (Professional Traffic Operations Engineer) a plus
Preferred Qualifications
- +5-10 years of transportation engineering experience
- +Experience with DOT projects and permitting
- +Knowledge of sustainable and context-sensitive design
- +Familiarity with transit, bike/ped, and complete streets design
Transportation Engineer Market Outlook
Growing Career Opportunities
Infrastructure investment is driving demand for transportation engineers. Career paths lead from project engineer roles to senior design positions, project management, and ultimately department leadership or practice area ownership.
Typical Career Progression:
Sample Job Description Templates
Transportation Engineer
Position Overview
Join our transportation practice to design roadways, intersections, and multimodal projects that improve communities. Work on DOT and municipal projects while advancing your skills and PE licensure.
Key Responsibilities
- •Design roadway alignments, intersections, and traffic control
- •Perform traffic analysis and capacity studies
- •Prepare construction plans and specifications using Civil 3D
- •Coordinate with DOT agencies and local municipalities
- •Conduct site visits and construction observation
- •Assist with drainage design and stormwater management
Requirements
- •Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering
- •4-7 years of transportation engineering experience
- •Proficiency in Civil 3D, Synchro, and AutoCAD
- •Strong understanding of AASHTO and MUTCD standards
- •PE license or EIT with ability to obtain PE
- •Excellent communication and teamwork skills
Senior Transportation Engineer
Position Overview
Lead complex transportation projects from planning through construction. Serve as technical expert, client contact, and mentor to junior staff. Shape the future of mobility in your community.
Key Responsibilities
- •Lead design of major roadway and intersection improvement projects
- •Serve as project manager and primary client contact
- •Perform quality assurance reviews and technical oversight
- •Manage project budgets, schedules, and deliverables
- •Mentor junior engineers and support their professional development
- •Participate in business development and proposal preparation
Requirements
- •Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering; Master's a plus
- •10+ years of progressive transportation engineering experience
- •PE license required; PTOE certification preferred
- •Proven project management and client relationship skills
- •Experience with DOT design standards and processes
- •Strong leadership and communication abilities
Transportation Engineer Salary Ranges (2025)
$92,000
Entry Level: $68K – $82K
Mid Level: $82K – $110K
Senior Level: $110K – $145K+
Salaries vary by experience, location, company size, and specialization.
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