Transportation Engineering Manager

Location: Springfield, Illinois
Job Type: Full-Time, Salary
Reports To: Director of Engineering

Compensation: $140,000 - $160,000 base - DOE

Position Summary

Elevate Studio is representing an opportunity for a Transportation Engineering Manager to lead a Springfield-based transportation practice serving Central Illinois. This role is responsible for strategic direction, client engagement, operational oversight, and delivery of transportation and civil engineering projects, including work with IDOT District 6, the Central Bureau, counties, and municipalities. The attached job descriptions position this seat as a leadership role driving growth, project delivery, team development, and regional client relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategy

• Lead the growth and operational direction of the Springfield transportation group

• Set strategic goals, forecast revenue, and manage departmental P&L

• Plan staffing needs, resource allocation, and long-term team development

• Help shape the direction of the regional transportation practice through operational and strategic leadership

Business Development and Client Relations

• Serve as Principal-in-Charge for key accounts, including IDOT and municipal clients

• Lead proposal strategy, Go/No-Go decisions, interviews, and pursuit efforts

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities across Central Illinois

• Represent the organization in professional associations and industry settings to support visibility and relationship development

• Strengthen relationships with IDOT, counties, and municipalities

Project and Operational Management

• Provide oversight for transportation planning and Phase I/II design projects

• Manage project delivery, budgets, schedules, and QA/QC

• Enforce quality standards and engineering best practices

• Serve as the point of escalation for complex technical or contractual matters

• Oversee contract administration, including scoping, negotiation, and change management

Team Leadership and Development

• Manage and mentor engineering staff

• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and performance reviews

• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and growth-oriented team environment

• Support staff development through mentoring and knowledge sharing

• Oversee and mentor a multidisciplinary team

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from an ABET-accredited program

Licensure

• Illinois Professional Engineer license required

Experience

• 12 to 15+ years of experience in transportation and civil engineering

• Leadership and project management experience within transportation engineering

• Strong background with IDOT Phase I/II processes, the BDE Manual, and Central Illinois project delivery

• Proven ability to manage financial performance, staffing, and operational efficiency

• Experience with P&L oversight is identified in the attached marketing version of the role summary

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with MicroStation, OpenRoads Designer, and project management software

• Understanding of state and federal funding programs, including MFT, ITEP, and Rebuild Illinois

Professional Skills

• Strong communication skills with client-facing, leadership, and team-building capability

• Strategic, organized, and growth-oriented mindset

• Ability to manage client relationships and support practice development in a regional market

Other Requirements

• Valid driver’s license with a good driving record

• Ability to travel to client offices, project sites, and industry events

• Ability to perform office duties and occasional field visits

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual performance bonus opportunities

• Comprehensive health coverage, including PPO and HSA-PPO plans, plus vision, dental, and life insurance

• Employer HSA contribution and supplemental coverage up to $2,500

• Short-term and long-term disability, FSAs, and wellness programs

• 401(k) Profit-Sharing Plan with dollar-for-dollar match up to 6% and immediate vesting

• Student loan assistance

• Lifestyle Spending Account

• Paid holidays and generous PTO

• Flexible hours and hybrid or remote work options

• Continuing education, memberships, licenses, registrations, mentoring, and professional development support

• Employee referral bonus, rewards and recognition programming, employee assistance support, and other workplace benefits are listed across the attached marketing and full-text versions of the posting

 

Elevate Studio is an equal opportunity employer.