Occupation · SOC 17-2051.01
Transportation Engineers
Develop plans for surface transportation projects, according to established engineering standards and state or federal construction policy. Prepare designs, specifications, or estimates for transportation facilities. Plan modifications of existing streets, highways, or freeways to improve traffic flow.
Median wage
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Projected growth
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—
Annual openings
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per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
303 mapped
Core skills
WritingSpeakingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingTime ManagementMathematicsJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisActive ListeningCoordinationOperations AnalysisMonitoringManagement of Personnel ResourcesActive LearningPersuasionNegotiationLearning StrategiesService OrientationScienceInstructingSocial PerceptivenessManagement of Material ResourcesTechnology DesignManagement of Financial ResourcesQuality Control AnalysisTroubleshootingOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlProgrammingRepairingInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Engineering and TechnologyDesignTransportationBuilding and ConstructionMathematicsEnglish LanguagePhysicsCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementComputers and ElectronicsLaw and GovernmentPublic Safety and SecurityEducation and TrainingCommunications and MediaGeographyProduction and ProcessingEconomics and AccountingAdministrativeMechanicalSales and MarketingChemistryPersonnel and Human ResourcesPsychologyTelecommunicationsBiologyHistory and ArcheologySociology and AnthropologyPhilosophy and TheologyTherapy and CounselingForeign LanguageMedicine and DentistryFood ProductionFine Arts
Technology & tools
Autodesk AutoCADAutodesk AutoCAD Civil 3DAutodesk Land DesktopBentley GEOPAK Civil Engineering SuiteBentley InRoads SuiteBentley MicroStationCitilabs CubeComputer aided design and drafting software CADDCubic Synchro StudioESRI ArcGIS softwareMcTrans Center TSIS-CORSIMMcTrans HCS+McTrans TRANSYT-7FMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft WordOpenRoads DesignerOracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio ManagementPTV VissimPythonSIDRA INTERSECTIONStructured query language SQLTrafficware SimTrafficTrafficware SynchroGreenTransoft Solutions AutoTURNVisual Solutions VisSIMWarehouse management system WMSWeb browser softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesWorking with ComputersEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsGetting InformationCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationAnalyzing Data or InformationPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicProcessing InformationDocumenting/Recording InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsScheduling Work and ActivitiesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCoaching and Developing OthersThinking CreativelyGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesTraining and Teaching OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsStaffing Organizational UnitsPerforming Administrative ActivitiesSelling or Influencing OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentPerforming General Physical ActivitiesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and Processes
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Transportation system design plans — assist in drafting initial layouts for roads, bridges, or drainage structures under direct supervision using CAD software.Construction plan review — check assigned sections of design drawings for completeness and conformity to standard engineering practices with guidance from a senior engineer.Traffic operation reports — compile and format statistical data on accidents, pedestrian volume, or safety measures under direction for supervisor review.Engineering calculations — perform basic stress and load calculations for roadway elements using standard formulas under close technical oversight.Engineering standards and codes — read and interpret relevant transportation design standards, specifications, and government regulations with supervisor guidance.Geographic information systems — enter, retrieve, and display spatial transportation data in GIS software to support project mapping tasks.Stakeholder communication — attend meetings with contractors or utility companies and document discussion points under the direction of a project engineer.Traffic flow investigation — collect field data on traffic volume and patterns at assigned locations using established counting and observation protocols.Spreadsheet and office software — organize project data, prepare tables, and draft routine correspondence using standard office suite and spreadsheet applications.Public meeting support — assist in preparing maps, exhibits, and handouts for use at transportation-related public hearings under senior engineer direction.
developing
Transportation infrastructure design — prepare detailed plans for streets, highway segments, or drainage structures with reduced oversight, applying applicable design standards.Design review and quality control — independently check construction plans, design calculations, and cost estimates for accuracy and conformity to engineering standards on routine projects.Traffic safety reporting — compile and analyze accident and pedestrian data to produce complete administrative and technical reports on traffic operations for agency use.Structural modification planning — develop alteration plans for existing transportation structures to improve safety or function, applying engineering judgment on familiar project types.Interagency coordination — confer directly with contractors, utility companies, and government agencies to clarify plans, resolve specification conflicts, and confirm work schedules.Final layout drawings — prepare complete project layout drawings incorporating stress calculations and construction details with limited senior review.Traffic problem analysis — investigate identified traffic flow or safety deficiencies and recommend practical improvement measures using analytical and systems evaluation skills.CAD and analytical software — produce engineering-grade design drawings and run analytical models using CAD and specialized transportation engineering software with proficiency.Project scheduling — apply time management practices to track task milestones, coordinate deliverables, and flag schedule risks on assigned project segments.Public presentation delivery — present transportation data, maps, and project information at public meetings, responding to routine audience questions clearly and accurately.
proficient
Complex transportation system design — autonomously design integrated systems including airports, commuter rail alignments, and major highway interchanges, resolving non-routine engineering challenges.Multi-discipline plan review — lead thorough review of full construction plan sets, design calculations, and cost estimates across disciplines to ensure accuracy, safety, and code compliance.Advanced traffic analysis — investigate complex traffic problems involving multiple modes and competing demands, producing technically rigorous reports with actionable safety and flow recommendations.Structural retrofit engineering — develop and validate modification strategies for aging or underperforming transportation structures, incorporating risk assessment and life-cycle cost considerations.Cross-sector stakeholder negotiation — lead technical negotiations with contractors, utility providers, and regulatory agencies to resolve design conflicts and align specifications with project goals.High-stakes public presentations — represent the organization at contentious public hearings, presenting complex engineering data, absorbing community concerns, and articulating technical trade-offs accessibly.Final engineering deliverables — produce complete, signed final project layout packages including detailed stress calculations, specifications, and construction notes ready for contractor bid.Systems analysis and optimization — apply systems analysis and operations analysis methods to evaluate transportation network performance and model the effects of proposed design changes.GIS-integrated design — integrate GIS data with CAD and analytical software to produce spatially accurate transportation designs that account for environmental, land-use, and demand factors.Regulatory and legal compliance — interpret and apply transportation law, government regulations, and public safety codes autonomously to ensure project designs meet all legal requirements.
advanced
Organizational design strategy — set the technical direction and design philosophy for major transportation programs, aligning engineering standards and innovation goals with agency or firm objectives.Enterprise quality assurance — establish and oversee organization-wide plan review, calculation verification, and cost-estimation protocols to ensure consistent engineering excellence across all projects.Policy and safety leadership — direct the development of traffic safety policies and reporting frameworks, influencing regional or statewide transportation safety outcomes through data-driven decision making.Capital program planning — lead multi-year infrastructure modification and replacement programs, prioritizing investments to maximize system safety, capacity, and equity across the transportation network.Executive-level stakeholder relations — represent the organization in high-level negotiations with government agencies, contractors, and elected officials, shaping project scope, funding, and regulatory outcomes.Public and legislative advocacy — testify before legislative bodies and lead complex community engagement processes, translating technical engineering positions into accessible policy arguments.Technical standards development — author or substantially revise organizational, state, or industry design standards and specifications that govern how transportation projects are engineered and delivered.Workforce development and mentorship — design and implement technical training curricula, mentorship structures, and performance frameworks that build engineering capability across project teams.Cross-functional program management — direct large, multi-disciplinary project teams using project management software and resource planning tools, ensuring cost, schedule, and quality targets are met.Innovation and technology adoption — evaluate emerging transportation technologies, analytical tools, and engineering methodologies, leading their adoption to improve design quality and organizational competitiveness.
Also known as
22 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Airport EngineerCivil Transportation EngineerEngineerHighway Civil EngineerHighway EngineerHighway Project EngineerProject EngineerRail EngineerRoad EngineerRoadway DesignerRoadway EngineerRoadway Project EngineerState Roadway Design EngineerTraffic EngineerTraffic Operations EngineerTransportation AnalystTransportation ConsultantTransportation Design EngineerTransportation EngineerTransportation Engineering InternTransportation Planning EngineerTransportation Project Engineer