Senior Construction Engineer / Field Services Lead – Transportation

TKDA • Milwaukee, WI

2d • Onsite

About The Position

TKDA is hiring a Senior Construction Engineer to lead field engineering, construction inspection, and contract administration for transportation projects in roadway and airfield construction. The role is based out of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and serves as a primary on-site representative for assigned projects, exercising independent judgment within delegated authority and coordinating inspectors and materials testing personnel. Projects include highway and local roadway reconstruction and runway, taxiway, and apron rehabilitation. The position combines technical leadership, hands-on inspection, complex problem-solving, mentorship, and day-to-day construction administration, with potential to take on broader team leadership and help expand TKDA’s project delivery services.

The engineer will work with civil and electrical engineers, planners, construction professionals, contractors, agencies, and other stakeholders. The role helps manage construction-phase scope, budgets, schedules, documentation, and client expectations while verifying that completed work conforms to contract requirements. Work includes outdoor field activity year-round, travel up to 75% including overnight stays, occasional overnight or extended hours, and physical activity such as carrying up to 50 pounds across rough terrain and standing for extended periods.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in construction management, construction engineering, or civil engineering and at least 10 years of progressive transportation construction experience. Current inspection and materials testing certifications relevant to assigned work are required. Compensation is listed at $100,000–$135,000 annually for candidates with 10–20 years of related experience; actual compensation may vary based on experience, qualifications, and responsibilities. Employment is subject to pre-employment screening and any state or federal background and security requests required for aviation operations. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, construction engineering, or civil engineering.
• 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 leading construction meetings and working directly with agency representatives, 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 pass required pre-employment background screening and state or federal background and security requests applicable to 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 both roadway and airfield construction projects, including work in operating airport environments and familiarity with FAA construction specifications and airport construction phasing requirements.
• Experience inspecting and administering WisDOT roadway construction projects, with working knowledge of WisDOT specifications, construction documentation, materials requirements, quantity measurement, payment procedures, and project closeout.
• Current Wisconsin Highway Technician Certification Program (HTCP) certifications relevant to assigned inspection and materials testing responsibilities, such as grading, aggregates, hot-mix asphalt, Portland cement concrete, or nuclear density testing; ability to maintain certifications and obtain additional 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 to support 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 resolution with contractors, designers, and owner representatives.
• 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 emerging risks, and coordinate construction phasing with roadway traffic or airport operations to minimize disruptions.
• Provide technical direction and mentorship to construction inspectors and early-career professionals, promoting consistent inspection practices, sound judgment, and thorough documentation.
• 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 complete and accurate records through final acceptance and closeout.
• Monitor construction 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; contribute field insights to improve project planning and delivery.
• Coordinate field personnel and construction coverage across assigned projects.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance from day one.
• Eligibility for discretionary bonuses through an annual incentive plan.
• Monthly employer HSA contributions for employees who choose an HSA-eligible plan.
• Employer matching on 401(k) deferrals.
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan funded entirely by company profits.
• Paid time off accrued based on professional experience.
• Eight paid holidays per year.

What This Job Offers

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