Bridge Engineer Associate (TE Associate)

Come be part of a dynamic team here at the Iowa DOT! The Bridges and Structures Bureau is seeking to hire a Bridge Engineer Associate (Transportation Engineer Associate) that will be an essential part of the Bridge Project Development team in our Preliminary Design Unit. This position requires an individual capable of applying engineering principles in the design of highway structures and transportation improvement projects of a broad scope and complexity. This position will perform progressively responsible introductory engineering work assignments to become eligible for licensing as a professional engineer.

The Iowa Department of Transportations Mission is Making Lives Better Through Transportation . To accomplish our Mission, the person selected for this position will demonstrate actions and behaviors guided by the Iowa Department of Transportations five CORE values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception .

Location: Ames, Iowa

Work Hours: Days M-F, flex available and telework available after a certain period of time. Occasional travel to job sites, workshops, or conferences.

As a Bridge Engineer Associate (Transportation Engineer Associate), you will work in a variety of civil engineering capacities within the Preliminary Design Unit, including:

Assists licensed engineer to develop preliminary bridge and culvert plans in the preliminary section of the Bridges and Structures Bureau. This includes performing hydrologic and hydraulic design and analysis of various types of less complex highway structures. These highway structures include bridges and culverts.

• Make inspections and write reports containing recommendations and estimates on structures that must be repaired or reconstructed to maintain serviceability of the highway system.
• Provide support to the supervising engineer for timely solutions to construction and maintenance problems involving hydraulic design, stream instability and drainage issues.
• Review plans that are submitted by consulting engineers and outside agencies for approval to ensure projects meet hydraulic and design guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Professional Development May work on special projects as assigned to gain experience beneficial to become eligible to sit for the Professional Engineer exam and gain Professional Engineering licensure.

Preferred Characteristics:

• Analyzes challenges, defines successful solution alternatives and proactively solves problems.
• Passion and commitment to excellence in our highway design products.
• Effectively communicates with a wide variety of individuals involved in our development process.
• Motivated, friendly, inclusive and get-it-done attitude.
• Embraces and encourages a culture that thrives on innovative ideas and leading changes that result in effective process and project improvements.
• Brings a professional positive attitude to our team every day.

What we offer YOU:

- Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance.

- Insurance benefits start first of the month following 30 days of employment. 2025 health and dental insurance premiums can be found here .

- Opportunities for professional growth and development.

- Paid time off effective immediately - biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year.

- Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match

- Optional 401A plan with employer contributions.

- Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial).

We encourage you to learn more about the State of Iowa Employee benefits and costs at the State of Iowa Employee Benefits Website !

Applicants hired withverificationofgraduationwillberequiredtograduatewithabachelorsdegreefrom an accreditedfour-yearcollegeor university within 10 monthsof hire.

Withinaperiodoftimeafterhire,asdeterminedbytheappointingauthority,employeesinthisclassmaybe required to obtainoneormoreof the following certificates, licenses,orendorsements:

• Certification asan engineerintern bytheIowaEngineering &Land SurveyingExamining Board within 24 months of hire
• Licensureasaprofessional engineerbytheIowaEngineering&LandSurveyingExaminingBoardisrequiredwithin6yearsforcontinuedemployment;temporarytrainingassignmentswillterminatewithinsixmonths followingasecond attempttoobtain aprofessional engineerlicenseor sixyears from the dateof hire.

The Iowa Department of Transportation is proud to be a partner with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Through this partnership, DOT engineers are granted membership at a largely discounted price, as well as discounts for conferences and continuing education through the ASCE. We are excited to offer this benefit and to have you join this partnership with us! If you're interested in learning more about this benefit, please visit

You have the freedom to flourish in Iowa Apply today!

The Iowa Department of Transportation is an equal opportunity employer. If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing any screening, interviewing, pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please direct your request to the Affirmative Action & Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/EEO) Officer at: ...

Reasonable accommodation includes an interpreter, translator, written materials, modified equipment/devices, ADA access, etc. This does not include scheduling needs.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in chemical, civil, construction, environmental, materials, mechanics, structural, or transportation engineering or in engineering management.
2. Possession of a verification of graduation with major course work in chemical, civil, construction, environmental, materials, mechanics, structural, or transportation engineering or in engineering management.

Applicants hired with verification of graduation will be required to graduate with a bachelors degree from an accredited four-year college or university within 10 months of hire.

Within a period of time after hire, as determined by the appointing authority, employees in this class may be required to obtain one or more of the following certificates, licenses, or endorsements:
Certification as an Engineer in Training (EIT) by the Iowa Engineering & Land Surveying Examining Board
Licensure as a professional engineer by the Iowa Engineering & Land Surveying Examining Board.