Senior Construction Engineer / Field Services Lead – Transportation

TKDA•Milwaukee, WI

7d•$73,600 - $81,800•Onsite

About The Position

TKDA is hiring a senior construction professional to lead field engineering, construction inspection, and contract administration for transportation projects based in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. The work includes roadway and airfield projects such as highway and local roadway reconstruction and runway, taxiway, and apron rehabilitation. The position collaborates with civil and electrical engineers, planners, construction professionals, contractors, agency representatives, and other stakeholders. The role serves as a primary on-site representative for assigned projects, exercising independent judgment within delegated authority and coordinating inspectors and materials testing personnel. Responsibilities span construction-phase scope, budgets, schedules, documentation, client expectations, and verification that completed work conforms to contract requirements. It is a hands-on, field-focused senior role combining technical leadership, complex problem-solving, mentorship, inspection, and day-to-day construction administration. Broader leadership opportunities may include building and leading a team and expanding TKDA’s project delivery services and capabilities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in construction management, construction engineering, or civil engineering combined with at least 10 years of progressive transportation construction inspection, field engineering, or construction management experience, including complex assignments and coordination of field personnel.
Ability to independently interpret construction plans and specifications, evaluate field conditions, identify nonconforming work, and coordinate practical solutions.
Ability to guide and mentor inspectors and early-career construction professionals while managing competing field priorities.
Experience coordinating inspection and materials testing, reviewing construction records, evaluating payment quantities, and supporting contract modifications.
Strong communication and relationship-building skills, including experience leading construction meetings and working directly with agencies, contractors, and multidisciplinary design teams.
Valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record.
Ability to work outdoors year-round, travel up to 75% including overnight stays, work occasional overnight or extended hours, carry up to 50 pounds across rough terrain, and stand for extended periods, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Must complete and pass background and security requests required by state or federal agencies responsible for aviation operations.
Must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience delivering roadway and airfield construction projects, including work in operating airport environments, with familiarity with FAA construction specifications and airport construction phasing.
Experience inspecting and administering WisDOT roadway construction projects, with working knowledge of WisDOT specifications, documentation, materials requirements, quantity measurement, payment procedures, and closeout.
Current Wisconsin Highway Technician Certification Program certifications relevant to inspection and materials testing, such as grading, aggregates, hot-mix asphalt, Portland cement concrete, or nuclear density testing; ability to maintain required certifications and obtain assignment-specific credentials.
Professional Engineer licensure in Wisconsin, or ability to obtain Wisconsin licensure.
Experience with AASHTOWare Project Construction or other WisDOT construction administration systems.
Additional credentials or training in materials coordination, erosion and sediment control, or construction site management.
Experience conducting or reviewing construction staking, as-built, and topographic surveys; familiarity with total stations, GPS equipment, and field data collectors.
Working knowledge of AutoCAD or Civil 3D and experience using survey data for quantity calculations and construction documentation.
Experience supporting proposals, construction services budgets, staffing plans, and ongoing client relationships.

Responsibilities

Lead on-site construction observation, inspection, and contract administration for roadway and airfield projects, coordinating field coverage across concurrent activities and critical construction stages.
Interpret plans, specifications, special provisions, and agency requirements; verify conformance, document deficiencies, and coordinate timely resolution.
Coordinate inspection, materials sampling, and testing for earthwork, aggregates, asphalt, concrete, drainage, and utilities; review results and supporting records for compliance.
Lead preconstruction and progress meetings, communicate project status and risks, and coordinate construction phasing with roadway traffic or airport operations.
Provide technical direction and mentorship to construction inspectors and early-career professionals.
Evaluate field-condition changes, requests for information, proposed substitutions, and potential contract modifications; develop recommendations and support change-order negotiations within delegated authority.
Review quantities, payment documentation, daily reports, photographs, materials records, and as-built information; maintain records through final acceptance and closeout.
Monitor progress against schedules and report cost, quality, and schedule concerns; coordinate resolution without assuming responsibility for contractor means, methods, or site safety programs.
Support proposals, construction services fee estimates, staffing plans, schedules, and constructability reviews.