Project Engineer

Position Overview

McAdams is expanding our Active Transportation and Greenways practice and is seeking the right project engineer to join our team. The selected candidate will possess strong analytical, communication and production skills and experience. If you are looking to build a career in the transportation field and want to make a difference in creating sustainable communities with safe modes of transportation for users of all ages and abilities, McAdams is the right team for you.  Our Active Transportation and Greenways practice is a leader in North Carolina, providing a full spectrum of planning and design services to our clients.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for advancing Active Transportation infrastructure including greenways, multi-use paths, sidewalks and on-street bicycle facilities. This position will report directly to a Project Manager and assist with delegation and mentorship of junior design staff. Senior engineering professionals will mentor this position for advancement to a Project Manager or Technical Manager role depending on the desires of the candidate.

Key Responsibilities

• Work directly with Project Managers to advance projects from feasibility analysis, through design, permitting, and successful bidding.
• Participate in field reviews of projects to support alignment development, recommendations, and construction administration support.
• Support the design and produce contract documents, specifications and cost estimates that meet the requirements of clients as well as local and state governmental agencies for publicly bid projects.
• Design includes horizontal and vertical alignments, cross sections, grading, drainage, at-grade and grade-separated crossings, pavement markings, signage layout and traffic control as applicable.
• Serve as task manager for specific project tasks. May also serve as project manager for small projects as appropriate. Track and be cognizant of task and project budgets and project performance relative to budgets.
• Engage effectively with other departments (geomatics, water resources, landscape architecture) to facilitate seamless design integration. Attend coordination meetings to gather essential project details and maintain open communication with team members, making necessary plan adjustments as needed.
• Support public outreach and community/stakeholder engagement efforts.
• Manage work hours effectively with a proactive approach. Demonstrate a sense of urgency and efficiency to meet project deadlines without compromising quality.
• Actively participate in industry organizations.

Skills + Experience 

• Four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in Civil Engineering or related field required
• PE registration in North Carolina or the ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in transportation design in the public or private sector
• Demonstrated corridor modeling expertise in Civil 3D is essential. Experience with Microstation / Open Roads Designer a plus.
• Strong understanding of local, state, and federal regulations related to permitting processes.
• Knowledge of NCDOT standards and procedures a plus.
• Proven ability to manage tasks on multiple projects concurrently, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing project demands.
• Exceptional analytical abilities to assess complex engineering challenges and develop effective, innovative solutions. Ability to anticipate project risks and proactively address them verbal and written communication skills for effectively coordinating with internal teams, clients, subconsultants, and regulatory bodies. Experience in leading meetings and preparing comprehensive reports is a plus.
• Experience providing guidance, support, and mentorship to junior staff, fostering skill development and teamwork
• High level of accuracy in preparing design documents, plans, and reports to meet company and client quality standards

Work Environment + Physical Demands

The characteristics described below are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. When properly requested and when feasible (without undue hardship to the company), reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• Work will primarily be in an office setting with limited opportunities to be exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
• Work will be primarily working with fingers by picking, pinching, typing, and grasping often with repetitive motion. 
• Must have visual acuity for viewing a computer screen, the ability to talk, hear and sit for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to carry, lift, and push/pull up to 5 pounds frequently and up to 30 pounds occasionally.
• Additional physical duties may be required as necessary.