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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Highway Designer

💰 $75,000 - $140,000+

Civil EngineeringTransportation DesignInfrastructureRoadway Engineering

🎯 Role Definition

A Highway Designer is the architect of our nation's transportation arteries. At the heart of civil infrastructure, this role involves the meticulous planning, geometric design, and production of plans for new highways, interchanges, and roadway rehabilitation projects. You are more than just a designer; you are a problem-solver, a safety advocate, and a steward of public funds, ensuring that every project is designed for longevity, efficiency, and the well-being of the traveling public. This position requires a blend of technical expertise, creative thinking, and a deep understanding of engineering principles to transform a concept into a tangible, buildable reality that connects communities and fuels economic growth.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Civil Engineer in Training (EIT)
  • CAD Designer / Technician (Transportation)
  • Transportation Engineering Intern

Advancement To:

  • Senior Highway Designer / Senior Roadway Engineer
  • Transportation Project Manager
  • Lead Design Engineer

Lateral Moves:

  • Traffic Engineer
  • Drainage Engineer
  • Site Development Engineer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop detailed geometric designs for urban and rural highways, including horizontal and vertical alignments, cross-sections, and superelevation calculations, using industry-standard software like MicroStation, OpenRoads, or AutoCAD Civil 3D.
  • Prepare comprehensive construction plan sets, specifications, and engineer's estimates (PS&E) for roadway improvement projects, ensuring all components are accurate, clear, and ready for bidding and construction.
  • Perform complex hydraulic and hydrologic modeling for roadway drainage systems, including the detailed design of culverts, storm sewer networks, detention/retention ponds, and open channels to manage stormwater effectively.
  • Ensure all design work strictly adheres to federal, state (DOT), and local agency standards, specifications, and design criteria, with a particular focus on the application of AASHTO guidelines.
  • Create, manage, and analyze 3D digital terrain and corridor models for comprehensive visualization, clash detection, accurate quantity take-offs, and to support modern construction practices like automated machine guidance.
  • Conduct thorough site investigations and feasibility studies to gather essential project data, identify potential engineering challenges, and evaluate environmental or right-of-way constraints.
  • Develop and systematically analyze various design alternatives to determine the most cost-effective, safe, and context-sensitive solution for a given transportation challenge.
  • Coordinate extensively with multidisciplinary teams—including structural (bridge) engineers, geotechnical experts, environmental scientists, surveyors, and traffic engineers—to ensure a cohesive and fully integrated project design.
  • Prepare detailed quantity take-offs and construction cost estimates at various stages of project development, from conceptual planning (30%) to final design (100%).
  • Author and contribute to technical reports, project memoranda, and formal presentations to clearly communicate design concepts, analyses, and recommendations to clients, stakeholders, and regulatory agencies.
  • Design crucial roadway safety and operational elements such as intersections, complex interchanges, roundabouts, pavement markings, and signing plans in accordance with the MUTCD and other relevant standards.
  • Proactively address right-of-way (ROW) and utility impacts by identifying conflicts early in the design process and coordinating with utility owners and ROW agents to develop effective relocation or accommodation plans.
  • Perform rigorous quality control (QC) reviews on design calculations, CADD files, plans, and specifications prepared by other team members to ensure technical accuracy and compliance with project requirements.
  • Develop and implement comprehensive erosion and sediment control plans to minimize environmental impact during construction, ensuring compliance with NPDES permits and other environmental regulations.
  • Participate in and support public meetings and stakeholder workshops, confidently presenting project information, answering technical questions, and incorporating public feedback into the design where appropriate.
  • Provide responsive engineering support during the construction phase, which includes addressing contractor Requests for Information (RFIs), reviewing shop drawings, and developing solutions for unforeseen field conditions.
  • Manage project tasks, schedules, and budgets for the roadway design portion of a project, working with the Project Manager to ensure milestones are met and work is completed efficiently.
  • Utilize GIS data and software (like ArcGIS) to support transportation planning, environmental screening, and preliminary design activities for large-scale highway corridors.
  • Prepare detailed pavement design analyses, considering traffic loading, subgrade conditions, and material properties to determine appropriate and durable pavement sections for new and rehabilitated roadways.
  • Conduct thorough safety analyses, such as evaluating stopping and intersection sight distance, reviewing crash data, and performing road safety audits to incorporate safety countermeasures directly into the design.
  • Develop phased Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) or Traffic Control Plans to ensure the safety of the traveling public and construction workers throughout all stages of construction.
  • Stay current with emerging trends, innovative technologies, and new software in the highway design industry to continuously improve design processes, efficiency, and the quality of deliverables.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist in business development activities, including contributing technical expertise to project proposals and participating in client interviews or presentations.
  • Mentor and provide daily technical guidance to junior-level engineers, Engineers-in-Training (EITs), and CADD technicians within the transportation team.
  • Support project managers with project scheduling, progress reporting, and budget tracking for design-specific tasks and deliverables.
  • Participate actively in industry organizations (e.g., ASCE, ITE) and technical committees to represent the firm and stay abreast of evolving standards and best practices.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • High proficiency in roadway design software such as MicroStation, OpenRoads Designer (ORD), and/or AutoCAD Civil 3D.
  • Deep understanding and practical application of AASHTO "A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets" (the Green Book).
  • Experience with drainage design and analysis software like StormCAD, HY-8, HEC-RAS, or integrated tools within ORD/Civil 3D.
  • Strong familiarity with state-specific Department of Transportation (DOT) design manuals, CADD standards, and electronic deliverable requirements.
  • Proven ability to develop complete Plan, Specification, and Estimate (PS&E) packages.
  • Advanced skill in creating and manipulating 3D design surfaces, complex corridors, and digital terrain models (DTMs).
  • Working knowledge of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) for designing signage and pavement markings.
  • Experience in preparing phased Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) / Work Zone Traffic Control Plans.
  • Competency in developing accurate quantity take-offs and detailed construction cost estimates using spreadsheets or design software.
  • Understanding of the processes involved in right-of-way (ROW) plan development and utility conflict analysis and coordination.
  • Foundational experience with GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS) for mapping, data analysis, and project planning.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Communication: Ability to clearly articulate complex technical information in writing and verbally to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Analytical Problem-Solving: A natural ability to deconstruct complex problems, evaluate options, and arrive at well-reasoned, practical solutions.
  • Team-Oriented Collaborator: A strong desire to work as part of a cohesive team, sharing knowledge and contributing to collective success.
  • Attention to Detail: A commitment to precision and quality, ensuring that all calculations, plans, and documents are accurate and error-free.
  • Effective Organization: Strong time management and organizational skills to successfully manage tasks on multiple projects simultaneously and meet critical deadlines.
  • Adaptability: A flexible and resourceful mindset with a willingness to learn new software, embrace new design standards, and adapt to changing project needs.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related engineering field from an ABET-accredited university.

Preferred Education:

  • Master of Science (M.S.) in Civil Engineering with a specialization in Transportation.
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license in one or more states.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Civil Engineering
  • Transportation Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3-10+ years of progressive, hands-on experience in the field of roadway and highway design.

Preferred:

  • A proven track record of delivering design projects for state Departments of Transportation (DOTs), municipalities, or other public-sector transportation agencies. Experience with alternative delivery methods like Design-Build is highly advantageous.
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