Engineer in Training I, Design

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Engineer-in-Training works in CDOT’s Engineering Residency in Denver, Colorado, providing entry-level engineering design and construction support for projects that upgrade, reconstruct, and maintain the highway system. The unit provides engineering expertise across design, design oversight, construction management, NEPA documentation management, consultant management, and overall project management for projects funded by federal, state, and local sources. Under the oversight of a licensed Professional Engineer (PE), the position applies engineering theories, principles, standards, and design practices to prepare highway project plans and specifications and support construction inspection and oversight. Assignments grow progressively more complex and require increasing independent engineering judgment and design analysis. The role also supports contract completion in accordance with project plans and specifications. CDOT requires individuals hired into Engineer-in-Training positions to obtain Colorado professional engineer licensure within eight years of initial appointment. The role is generally performed during daytime hours, Monday through Friday, and is approximately 90% office-based and 10% in the field. Night or weekend work may be required during the April–November construction season. Daytime travel to meetings, site visits, and industry events is required, and overnight travel may be necessary for certain out-of-town projects. The position requires driving CDOT vehicles and complying with safety requirements, including wearing required personal protective equipment and completing safety training.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in engineering; December 2026 graduates are accepted. Alternatively, all engineering and other coursework may be completed with an anticipated December 2026 graduation date.
Alternatively, current enrollment as an Engineer-Intern with the Colorado Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors may substitute for the degree, or current valid Colorado Professional Engineer licensure may qualify.
If qualifying through education, submit legible official or unofficial college transcripts, or an official NACES foreign credential evaluation report; foreign credentials must be assessed for U.S. equivalency.
A current valid driver license is required for positions that involve operating a state or personal motor vehicle to perform essential functions.
Must pass pre-employment screening, which may include social security number trace, criminal records, public court records, educational records, and driving records checks.
Must obtain professional engineer licensure through the Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers, and Professional Land Surveyors within eight years of initial appointment to an EIT position.
Must comply with applicable safety policies and procedures and wear required personal protective equipment.
Colorado residency is required; the position is open only to Colorado state residents.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated success performing duties described for the position.
State service experience related to the position’s duties.
High work and personal ethics and integrity.
Knowledge and experience in civil engineering design and construction for transportation projects.
Knowledge of CDOT materials, roadway design, project development, construction, road and bridge construction standards and specifications, field materials, CM/GC, and PEL manuals; AASHTO Roadside Design Guide; and MUTCD.
Current working knowledge of engineering processes, theories, laws, principles, conceptual models, and best practices.
Interest in working on Construction Management/General Contractor (CM/GC) projects.
Ability to manage multiple assignments, priorities, and projects in a demanding environment and work under tight deadlines while adapting to changing assignments.
Initiative and ability to solve problems innovatively.
Ability to work effectively with the public, professionals, consultants, and staff, with sensitivity to their needs, priorities, promises, and commitments.
Strong interpersonal, relationship-building, time-management, and project-management skills, including prioritization and switching between projects.
Strong reasoning, investigative, analytical, problem-solving, facilitation, presentation, and written and oral communication skills.
Strong attention to technical detail and accuracy, and commitment to safety.
Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team.
Interest in performing field construction inspections and working outdoors.
Desire to progress through CDOT’s EIT program to become a licensed engineer, with the eventual goal of managing inspectors and testers, administering construction contracts, and ensuring contractors follow plans and specifications on capital improvement and asset management projects.
Fluency in MS Word, MS Excel, MS Project, ProjectWise, Open Roads, InRoads, Gmail, Google Suite, and SAP, and ability to quickly learn other software systems.

Responsibilities

Learn and apply engineering principles, theories, design specifications, standards, and expertise to develop safe, efficient, and economical designs, using appropriate engineering software to develop project plans.
Complete assigned design tasks using engineering practices and calculation methods consistent with current practices, including CDOT and AASHTO guidelines.
Document design decisions, participate in project scoping, and consult with a Professional Engineer to recommend designs for approval.
Track and document design and construction activities; assist with drafting Contract Change Orders, Minor Contract Revisions, letters, and construction engineering memos; maintain an organized project filing system and accurate historical project records.
Learn to manage design projects from scoping through advertisement.
Draft plans and specifications using established CDOT formats and worksheets for CDOT, local agency, and developer projects.
Track construction and contract budgets and generate spend-down information for each contract.
Support financial reporting, including updating the federal financial plan and preparing monthly updates.
Support construction inspection and oversight and help ensure contract completion in accordance with contract documents, plans, and specifications.
Follow safety regulations, policies, and procedures; wear required personal protective equipment; and attend and complete required safety training.
Drive CDOT vehicles to projects and sites.