Engineer IV, Transportation Planner

Bowman Consulting Group, Ltd. • Chicago, IL

59d • Onsite

About The Position

Bowman is hiring an Engineer IV, Transportation Planner to join its regional highway design group in Chicago, Illinois. The role provides specialized expertise on transportation design projects, including transportation and multimodal planning, roadway and preliminary engineering, pedestrian and bicycle design, signals and ITS, structures, construction, stormwater, permitting, right-of-way, and utilities. The position works with broad guidance and direct supervision from experienced professionals while applying extensive engineering knowledge, reviewing staff work, and supporting quality and consistency across regional deliverables.

The role leads and contributes to Phase I and preliminary engineering work, including roadway alignments, corridor and feasibility studies, design alternatives, NEPA documentation, project reports, technical memoranda, agency submittals, and planning-level cost estimates. It coordinates with agencies, stakeholders, clients, and multidisciplinary teams; supports public involvement; and ensures compliance with applicable IDOT, Illinois Tollway, FHWA, and local agency requirements. The position also supports marketing, proposals, staff development, training, quality assurance, and—in some cases—serves as Senior Engineer or Project Manager on assigned projects.

The position is based in a professional office environment, with occasional outdoor and construction-site work and primarily local business-day travel. Some out-of-area and overnight travel may be needed. Salary is listed as $125,000–$155,000 per year, with eligible variable compensation commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a related field.
• At least 10 years of work experience with advanced transportation or transportation infrastructure project experience.
• Experience with IDOT, Illinois Tollway, and county, municipal, or local agency Phase I projects.
• Strong knowledge of IDOT Phase I studies and project development procedures, Illinois Tollway project delivery requirements, NEPA processes and environmental documentation, alternatives analysis, feasibility studies, public involvement, agency coordination, preliminary roadway design, transportation planning, IDOT BLRS Project Development Reports, and transportation project approval processes.
• Excellent communication, technical writing, presentation, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a dynamic environment and effectively lead multidisciplinary teams while collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to build and maintain strong client and agency relationships.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and coordinating project development activities.
• Experience preparing and overseeing technical reports, engineering studies, agency documentation, and project approvals.
• Experience mentoring engineering staff and supporting team development.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, manage multiple time-sensitive tasks, communicate effectively with organizational levels and external partners, and handle confidential information with discretion.
• Strong data analysis and interpretation skills; ability to support community engagement activities and public meetings.
• Demonstrated interest in multimodal transportation planning and engineering.
• Strong marketing and business development skills and mindset.
• Proficiency with or familiarity with OpenRoads Designer, MicroStation, GIS, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Valid state driver's license and ability to pass a motor vehicle check, or a reliable form of transportation to and from the office and/or project site, strongly preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
• Experience supporting proposal preparation and business development activities preferred.
• Established relationships with IDOT districts, Illinois Tollway staff, municipal agencies, county clients, and other transportation stakeholders preferred.
• Demonstrated ability and interest in progressing toward expanded project management and client management responsibilities preferred.
• Valid state driver's license and ability to pass a motor vehicle check, or reliable transportation to and from the office and/or project site, strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Apply extensive engineering knowledge to complex transportation design assignments and review staff work for quality assurance.
• Assist with marketing the firm's capabilities to establish new clients and strengthen relationships.
• Provide specialized technical design expertise for transportation and structures projects, including analysis, right-of-way, utilities, permitting, and construction elements.
• Promote consistent, high-quality regional design deliverables, including plans, calculations, reports, permit applications, specifications, estimates, and project documentation.
• Guide regional design staff in the use of advanced computer-assisted engineering and design software.
• Work with regional management to develop CAD standards for specialty plans.
• Attend advanced training, seminars, and public meetings to learn new technologies, industry standards, and agency policies and procedures.
• Lead project and agency meetings related to specialized expertise.
• Develop design staff engineering skills through internal and external training and conduct internal training sessions.
• Maintain quality assurance and quality control of specialty engineering plans, calculations, reports, permit applications, specifications, and estimates.
• Assist senior management with technical and price proposals related to specialized expertise.
• Serve as Senior Engineer or Project Manager on assigned transportation design projects when needed.
• Lead development of roadway alignments, corridor studies, feasibility studies, and conceptual engineering solutions for transportation infrastructure projects.
• Direct preparation and evaluation of preliminary design alternatives.
• Coordinate engineering analyses and technical documentation for NEPA environmental reviews; support preparation of Environmental Assessments, Environmental Impact Statements, and Categorical Exclusions.
• Develop engineering recommendations that consider transportation needs, environmental impacts, stakeholder input, cost, risk, and constructability.
• Prepare and oversee Phase I Project Reports, Project Development Reports, Combined Reports, engineering studies, technical memoranda, exhibits, and project approval documentation.
• Develop planning-level and preliminary construction cost estimates.
• Review engineering analyses, technical reports, presentations, exhibits, and agency submittals for quality, accuracy, and completeness.
• Ensure compliance with IDOT, Illinois Tollway, FHWA, municipal, county, and local agency requirements and standards.
• Facilitate public involvement, stakeholder engagement, public hearings, and agency coordination meetings.
• Identify project challenges and develop practical, cost-effective solutions; apply engineering judgment to technical, environmental, stakeholder, and project delivery issues.
• Support continuous improvement and implementation of industry best practices.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams and coordinate project development activities; support scopes, schedules, budgets, staffing plans, and deliverables; monitor project performance and address technical and delivery challenges.
• Mentor engineering staff, support team development, and contribute to proposal preparation and business development activities.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.
• Paid time off, sick leave, and paid holidays.
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development support.
• Discretionary bonuses and other performance-based incentives.
• Employee Assistance Program, wellness initiatives, and employee discounts.
• Competitive compensation and eligible variable compensation commensurate with experience.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior