Senior Project Manager - NEPA/Phase I

Michael Baker International•Chicago, IL

2d•$150,000 - $200,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Michael Baker International is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager – NEPA/Phase I to join our Highway Department in Chicago, Illinois. This is an exciting opportunity for a transportation professional who wants to lead high‑profile IDOT, Illinois Tollway, and local agency roadway projects while mentoring teams and building trusted client relationships. In this role, you’ll lead multidisciplinary teams through the development of transportation improvements from initial planning and alternatives analysis through environmental documentation and design approval. You’ll balance technical analysis, environmental considerations, and stakeholder engagement to develop practical, context-sensitive solutions that meet project needs and agency requirements. You’ll collaborate with regional and national teams to lead multidisciplinary Phase I work efforts, including traffic and safety analyses, geometric studies, environmental studies and coordination, and public involvement. This position offers a hybrid work schedule, allowing you to balance in‑office collaboration with flexible remote work.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering
Professional Engineer (PE) license in Illinois, or ability to obtain within four months of hire
10+ years of transportation engineering experience with demonstrated experience leading or managing Phase I engineering, NEPA, transportation planning, or environmental studies.
Strong knowledge of the IDOT Phase I project development process and NEPA requirements.
Demonstrated experience with alternatives analysis, preliminary roadway geometrics, traffic and safety evaluations, environmental coordination, and development of Phase I documentation.
Proficiency with MicroStation/OpenRoads, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, Bluebeam, and ProjectWise.

Nice To Haves

Experience coordinating environmental resources and studies, including wetlands, threatened and endangered species, cultural resources, special waste, Section 4(f), and related environmental requirements, preferred.
Experience planning and leading public and stakeholder engagement for transportation projects preferred.
Strong project management skills, including demonstrated success managing scope, budgets, schedules, staffing, and project risk.
Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage change, and resolve complex technical challenges.
Strong communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills with clients, agencies, and internal teams.
PMP, PTOE, or other relevant professional certifications are a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage IDOT Phase I engineering and NEPA studies for roadway, intersection, interchange, bridge, safety, and multimodal transportation projects in accordance with applicable IDOT, FHWA, state, and federal requirements.
Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, staffing, quality, and overall project delivery.
Lead the development and evaluation of transportation alternatives, including purpose and need, existing conditions, geometric concepts, traffic and safety analyses, environmental impacts, and preliminary cost estimates.
Lead coordination with IDOT, FHWA, local agencies, regulatory agencies, stakeholders, property owners, and the public throughout project development.
Plan and support public involvement activities, including stakeholder meetings, public information meetings, public hearings, and development of supporting materials.
Provide technical leadership in roadway design, modeling, and plan production.
Lead multidisciplinary teams across multiple offices and coordinate with subconsultants.
Review plans, reports, and proposals to ensure accuracy, compliance, and quality standards.
Lead QA/QC efforts, identify project risks, and resolve technical and project delivery challenges.
Build and maintain strong client relationships, supporting client satisfaction and long‑term partnerships.
Support proposal development, business development, and pursuit of future project opportunities.
Mentor and support staff development while fostering a collaborative team environment.
Travel occasionally to support project and client needs.