Principal Engineer (Bridges)

Arlington County VA•Arlington, VA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Environmental Services (DES) is seeking a skilled Principal Engineer (Bridges) to join our Engineering Bureau. This bureau is a 60-member team responsible for delivering surveying, design, and construction management services for various public works capital improvement projects, including multimodal transportation, bridge replacements, stormwater, watermain, sanitary sewer, and other infrastructure work. The projects are complex, often in constrained urban environments, with construction costs ranging from $100,000 to $20 million. The bureau manages a portfolio of approximately 75 to 100 projects at any given time and utilizes consulting services to enhance capacity. This role is specifically responsible for the asset management of the County’s 35+ bridges, overseeing safety inspections, maintenance, and repairs. It also manages bridge capital projects such as major rehabilitations and replacements. A significant portion of the bridge program work involves procuring and overseeing consultants and contractors. The position will also manage other transportation-related projects, including consultant procurement, design plan review, regulatory submissions, schedule and budget management, construction contractor procurement, and construction administration.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering
Significant progressively responsible professional, technical civil engineering experience
At least two years' experience in bridge program management, bridge rehabilitation design, and/or project management of bridge rehabilitation capital projects.
Possession of, or ability to obtain by time of appointment, a valid driver's license.
Authorization to provide or obtain an official driving record.

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (PE) License in the Commonwealth of Virginia, or a State with reciprocity
Successful completion of an FHWA approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course
Experience managing bridge programs and transportation projects for a government agency

Responsibilities

Managing the bridge safety inspection program, ensuring biennial inspections meet Federal and State requirements.
Developing and prioritizing the 4-year bridge repair maintenance plan and preparing annual budgets for bridge maintenance.
Creating the bridge component of the Capital Improvement Plan, including cost estimates and scoping for future bridge projects.
Procuring design and construction contractors for annual maintenance, repairs, and capital improvement projects.
Directing consultant development of plans, specifications, estimates, and bid documents, and reviewing their work products.
Preparing and reviewing detailed design and construction engineering plans, cost estimates, technical reports, and associated documentation for transportation projects.
Collaborating with internal teams, external agencies, and stakeholders for project implementation.
Developing materials for and participating in pre-bid meetings, public engagement, construction meetings, and other project-related events.
Performing other job-related duties, including the design and review of retaining walls and other small structures, and providing structural engineering guidance on other capital projects.