Roadway Project Engineer I

Locations: Chicago, IL | Peoria, IL | Crown Point, IN | Indianapolis, IN
Employment Type: Full-Time | Exempt | Hybrid Work Environment
Salary Range: $115,000 – $155,000 (DOE)

Role Snapshot

The Roadway Project Engineer I is a senior-level roadway engineer responsible for leading Phase I engineering studies, preliminary roadway design, and multi-discipline coordination for DOT and municipal transportation projects. This role is ideal for an Illinois-licensed PE with deep IDOT Phase I experience and the ability to guide junior staff, oversee technical production, and support client-facing activities across complex roadway and corridor assignments.

Position Overview

Ciorba Group is seeking a technically strong and self-driven Roadway Project Engineer I to support and lead roadway planning and preliminary engineering projects across Illinois and Indiana. You’ll support Phase I program delivery, develop roadway design alternatives, coordinate with internal and external partners, and produce high-quality engineering documentation aligned with IDOT, INDOT, county, and municipal standards. This role includes mentorship responsibilities, technical oversight, and active participation in client and agency interactions.

This position supports a hybrid work schedule and may be located in Chicago, Peoria, Crown Point, or Indianapolis.

Key Responsibilities

Phase I / Preliminary Engineering

• Prepare Phase I engineering studies and documentation in accordance with IDOT, county, and municipal requirements.
• Develop Location Design Approval Reports (LDARs), Project Development Reports (PDRs), and related environmental/NEPA support documentation.
• Prepare technical exhibits, displays, alternatives, and materials for public meetings, stakeholder sessions, and agency reviews.
• Support development of roadway alternatives including geometry options, typical sections, intersection concepts, corridor layouts, constructability considerations, and staging concepts.

Roadway Design / Technical Production

• Develop preliminary engineering plans such as alignments, plan & profile sheets, cross sections, roadway geometrics, and corridor layouts.
• Utilize MicroStation, GEOPAK, and OpenRoads Designer for roadway modeling and plan production.
• Prepare preliminary cost estimates, quantities, and supporting design memoranda.

Project Coordination + QA/QC

• Coordinate roadway tasks across structural, drainage, traffic, utilities, and environmental teams.
• Review and check engineering work prepared by staff engineers, technicians, and subconsultants.
• Ensure deliverables meet agency standards, milestone schedules, and project scope expectations.

Leadership + Client Support

• Provide mentorship to junior engineers and technicians on design fundamentals, software workflows, and best practices.
• Attend project meetings, field reviews, and agency discussions as part of the design and approval process.
• Maintain strong relationships with clients, agency reviewers, and project partners.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.
• 8–12 years of roadway/transportation design experience.
• Illinois Professional Engineer (PE) license required; Indiana PE preferred.
• Strong IDOT Phase I experience, including reports, documentation, and alternatives development.
• Proficiency with MicroStation, GEOPAK, and OpenRoads Designer.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; able to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multi-discipline, team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and supervise engineering staff.
• Experience on Illinois DOT and Illinois Local Agency projects required; INDOT experience a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Indiana PE license or ability to obtain.
• Familiarity with INDOT roadway design processes and standards.
• Experience supporting projects for state DOTs, tollway authorities, and municipal transportation agencies.

Project Types / Sectors

• IDOT Phase I studies
• DOT and tollway roadway design
• County and municipal roadway programs
• Urban arterials and rural highway improvements
• Intersection and corridor alternatives development