Assistant Chief Engineer - Structural (Bridge)

French & Parrello•Wall Township, NJ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

French & Parrello Associates (FPA) is seeking an experienced Assistant Chief Engineer – Structural (Bridge) to provide technical leadership and strategic direction for its Bridge Department at its headquarters in Wall Township, New Jersey. The role provides oversight and guidance on complex bridge design, rehabilitation, replacement, and transportation infrastructure projects throughout New Jersey and the surrounding region. The successful candidate will work with project managers, engineers, and multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality engineering solutions while advancing the department’s technical capabilities and reputation. The position offers the opportunity to lead complex bridge projects, influence project decisions, mentor engineers, develop engineering standards and best practices, support business development, and contribute to the strategic growth of FPA’s transportation and bridge practice. Project work includes bridge design, rehabilitation, inspection, load ratings, seismic evaluations, staged construction, and construction support for public agencies and other clients. Structures may include highway bridges, historic bridges, waterfront and movable bridges, steel and prestressed concrete structures, culverts, pedestrian bridges, and specialty structures. FPA is an employee-owned, mid-sized engineering and consulting firm. It describes its workplace as collaborative and multidisciplinary, with opportunities for technical leadership, mentorship, and professional development. The role is based at FPA’s headquarters in Wall Township, NJ. U.S. employment authorization sponsorship is not available; relocation assistance is available.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.
Master’s degree in Structural Engineering.
Professional Engineer (PE) license.
At least 15 years of progressive bridge design and structural engineering experience.
Extensive experience delivering complex bridge and transportation infrastructure projects.
Advanced knowledge of AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications and NJDOT bridge design procedure.
Strong technical expertise in bridge analysis, rehabilitation, replacement, and structural evaluation.
Proficiency with bridge design and analysis software such as LEAP Bridge, LARSA, MIDAS, CSiBridge, STAAD, or equivalent programs.
Experience with AutoCAD and/or MicroStation.
Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership, mentor engineers, and elevate team performance.
Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to collaborate across disciplines.

Nice To Haves

New Jersey, New York, and/or Pennsylvania PE license, or ability to obtain licensure through reciprocity.
Historical bridge design and rehabilitation experience.
Established relationships with transportation agencies, municipalities, and public-sector clients.
Experience supporting business development, proposal preparation, and client engagement activities.

Responsibilities

Provide technical leadership and oversight for complex bridge design, rehabilitation, replacement, and transportation infrastructure projects.
Serve as a senior technical resource for bridge engineering teams, guiding design approaches, engineering solutions, and project delivery strategies.
Lead QA/QC reviews of bridge plans, calculations, specifications, technical reports, and design documentation.
Oversee structural analysis and design in accordance with AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, NJDOT standards, and applicable agency requirements.
Provide technical direction for bridge modeling, load rating analyses, structural evaluations, and rehabilitation design.
Collaborate with project managers and multidisciplinary teams, including roadway, traffic, geotechnical, environmental, hydraulic, and construction engineering professionals.
Support complex project pursuits through technical strategy, proposal development, interviews, and client presentations.
Maintain and strengthen relationships with NJDOT, county engineering departments, municipalities, and other transportation agencies.
Mentor, coach, and develop Bridge Department engineers by providing technical guidance and supporting their professional growth.
Assist in developing department standards, technical resources, and best practices to enhance project delivery and engineering excellence.
Participate in strategic planning initiatives supporting growth of FPA’s transportation and bridge practice.
Conduct site visits, bridge inspections, and field assessments as needed to support project delivery and technical decisions.