Transportation Designer (EIT / entry level / early career professional)

Description

Why DOWL?

DOWL is a top-ranked, multi-disciplined consulting firm with over 60 years of experience in civil engineering and related services. Our in-house expertise spans Civil and Land Development, Construction-Related Services, Transportation and Structures, and Water and Environmental Services. At DOWL, you’re valued. We support your growth, offer great benefits, and foster a culture of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork.

Transportation Planning and Design

Join our dynamic team of transportation planners and designers dedicated to creating innovative, practical solutions that improve safety, connectivity, and accessibility. Collaborating closely with our traffic engineers, you'll help develop and implement roadway improvements that solve immediate traffic challenges while supporting long-term community goals. If you're passionate about shaping smarter, safer transportation systems, we’d love you to be a part of our team!

Summary

Kickstart your engineering career as a Transportation Designer 1 on our team! You will support a wide range of transportation projects from bike paths and sidewalks to highways and intersections. In this entry-level role, you'll contribute to engineering calculations, CAD drafting, roadway design, 3D modeling, and the development of technical reports, specifications, and cost estimates. You may also assist with site visits and project correspondence. Working under the guidance of a licensed professional engineer, you'll gain hands-on experience while building foundational skills in 2D and 3D design. We're looking for someone with a strong work ethic, eagerness to learn, and basic proficiency in drafting software, who can collaborate well with others and grow in a supportive team environment. This is an excellent opportunity to kick-start your career in transportation engineering and help shape the infrastructure that connects our communities.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions .

Software

Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) - Basic

Market Sector Software (AutoCAD C3D) - Basic

Market Sector Software (Microstation Connect and OpenRoads) - Basic (if applicable)

Technical Expertise

Basic understanding of technical fundamentals

Performs basic technical tasks assigned by market sector with oversight from others

Motivated to learn new technical skills through self-study and mentoring

Basic understanding of technical writing skills and clear internal communications (emails, meeting minutes, etc.)

Teamwork

Team player who mostly functions in a supporting role in a project team setting. Collaborates, listens, takes direction well, and retains information provided. Is motivated to grow skills and help the team.

Project Delivery

Produces the following under close direction / oversight from others :

Technical reports and memos

Specifications

Construction quantity calculations and cost estimates

Design documents and construction plans

Exhibits

Understanding Budget and Schedule

Basic understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Collaborates with supervisor and / or resource manager to plan work time on assignments. Conducts basic monitoring of budget and schedule for simple project tasks assigned.

Industry Standards and Regulations

Demonstrates basic familiarity with the following design codes :

AASHTO and FHWA - Basic

Local Client - Basic

Client Interaction

Infrequent direct client interaction. Reads emails, occasionally attends client meetings, listens, and prepares meeting minutes.

Other

Other duties as assigned.

Level of Work / Accountability

Performs basic levels of technical work on projects in support of more experienced staff within the market sector. Operates with minimal autonomy – work is closely supervised by more senior staff.

Education and / or Experience

Bachelor's Degree required

Years of experience required : none

Years of experience required with advanced degree : none

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

EIT / EI required (within 6 months of hire)

A valid driver's license and a clean driving record are required to support essential business activities. These may include but are not limited to : travel to client meetings, field site visits, regional airports, contractor engagements, and construction zones

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights () notice from the Department of Labor.