Bridge Manager

French & Parrello Associates•Wall Township, NJ

5d•$165,000 - $200,000•Onsite

About The Position

French & Parrello Associates (FPA) is seeking an experienced Bridge Department Manager to lead its Bridge Department at its headquarters in Wall Township, New Jersey. The role combines department leadership with service as a Senior Project Manager on major transportation and bridge assignments throughout New Jersey and the Northeast. The manager will oversee project delivery, develop and mentor staff, strengthen client relationships, and help expand the department’s project portfolio and market presence. The position leads a varied portfolio of bridge and transportation work, including bridge replacements, deck replacements, structural rehabilitations, bridge widenings, load ratings, inspections, staged construction projects, and infrastructure improvements involving steel plate girders, rolled steel beams, prestressed concrete structures, culverts, pedestrian bridges, and specialty structures. The manager will establish priorities, allocate resources, support staff development, and identify opportunities to expand FPA’s bridge capabilities and client base. The role works with FPA’s Highway, Traffic, Geotechnical, Environmental, Water Resources, and Construction Services departments to deliver multidisciplinary projects. FPA describes itself as an employee-owned, mid-sized engineering and consulting firm with more than 50 years of experience. The company emphasizes collaboration, technical excellence, employee development, and opportunities for experienced professionals to influence the direction of the firm. The position is based at FPA’s Wall Township, NJ headquarters. Sponsorship for U.S. employment authorization and relocation assistance are available. The projected compensation range is $165,000 to $200,000. Actual compensation depends on experience, education, qualifications, and skill set. FPA offers an annual bonus program and a signing bonus for qualified candidates. Benefits begin on the first day of employment and include medical, dental, and vision insurance; HSA, FSA, and DCFSA account options; 401(k) retirement plans; and paid sick leave and/or other paid time off as provided by applicable law.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering required.
Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in bridge, structural, transportation, or related infrastructure engineering.
Demonstrated experience managing complex bridge and transportation projects from design through construction.
Strong technical background in bridge design, rehabilitation, replacement, inspection, load rating, and/or transportation infrastructure.
Proficiency with structural and transportation design software.
Strong understanding of project management principles, including scope, schedule, budget, staffing, quality control, and risk management.
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain client relationships and contribute to business development.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for working with clients, agencies, staff, and multidisciplinary project teams.
Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to provide technical direction, mentor staff, and build high-performing teams.
Strong organizational and decision-making skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities while maintaining quality and client satisfaction.
Experience with proposal development, client presentations, interviews, and business development initiatives.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Structural Engineering or a related discipline.
New Jersey PE license, or ability to obtain one through reciprocity.
Experience leading and mentoring engineering teams and/or managing a technical department.
Experience working with NJDOT, transportation authorities, counties, municipalities, and other public-sector clients.
Experience with LEAP Bridge, LARSA, MIDAS, CSiBridge, STAAD, or similar platforms.
Strong knowledge of NJDOT design standards, AASHTO requirements, and applicable transportation and structural engineering standards.
Established relationships with NJDOT, NJ Turnpike Authority, DRJTBC, Garden State Parkway, PennDOT, counties, municipalities, or other transportation agencies.
Experience growing a bridge or transportation engineering practice.
Experience with strategic planning, department budgeting, workload forecasting, and resource management.
Proven ability to recruit, retain, mentor, and develop engineering professionals.
Active involvement in professional engineering organizations and industry associations.
Experience with alternative delivery methods, including Design-Build and other progressive project delivery approaches.

Responsibilities

Lead and oversee the Bridge Department, including project delivery, staffing, resource allocation, technical quality, and overall department performance.
Serve as Senior Project Manager and/or Project Manager for complex bridge, transportation, and infrastructure projects from planning and concept development through final design, permitting, bidding, and construction support.
Provide technical leadership on bridge design, rehabilitation, replacement, inspection, load rating, and transportation infrastructure projects.
Lead multidisciplinary teams and coordinate bridge, roadway, traffic, geotechnical, environmental, water resources, and other technical professionals.
Develop, mentor, and manage bridge engineering staff, providing technical guidance, career development, performance feedback, and professional growth opportunities.
Assist with recruiting and building the Bridge Department.
Manage project scope, schedule, budget, staffing, quality control, risk, and client expectations.
Serve as a senior point of contact for NJDOT, transportation authorities, counties, municipalities, and other public-sector agencies.
Build and maintain long-term client relationships and identify opportunities for additional work.
Oversee preparation and review of engineering plans, specifications, cost estimates, technical reports, calculations, and other project documentation.
Provide technical direction on engineering solutions, design approaches, project delivery strategies, and complex technical issues.
Ensure projects comply with applicable AASHTO, NJDOT, MUTCD, local agency, and other applicable standards, codes, and requirements.
Participate in project pursuits, proposal development, scope and fee preparation, interviews, presentations, and other business development activities.
Identify opportunities and support expansion of FPA’s Bridge practice across state, county, municipal, and transportation authority markets.
Represent FPA at industry events, professional organizations, client meetings, and other business development opportunities.
Support department forecasting, workload planning, project staffing, and financial performance.
Collaborate with FPA leadership to establish and execute strategic goals for the Bridge Department.
Conduct site visits, field investigations, inspections, and structural assessments as needed.
Promote FPA’s culture of collaboration, accountability, technical excellence, and employee development.