Geotechnical Engineering Assistant I-III - Bridge Division

The Geotechnical Branch in TxDOT's Bridge Division is looking to hire an Engineering Assistant I, II, or III based in Austin, TX. The Geotechnical Branch in Bridge Division develops geotechnical design policy, bridge scour evaluation policy, develops retaining wall and bridge foundation standards, implements research, supports construction, performs in-house geotechnical analyses and designs, develops details and specifications, including for scour remediations/countermeasures for projects across the State of Texas. The ideal candidate will have the opportunity to work with a Team Geotechnical Engineers while working on projects that serve 25 Districts and the State of Texas, using current industry and TxDOT specifications, as we advance design and construction practice by implementing new innovations and technology.
Texas’ inventory of over 57,000 bridges is 28,000 more than any other state, and more than the combined inventories of 17 states. For more information on the Texas Bridge Program, go to https://www.txdot.gov/government/reports/texas-bridges.html.

If you are looking for a career as part of a diverse workforce of over 12,000 employees statewide and you have the technical and leadership skills to help lead the largest bridge program in the country, let’s talk!

This position is for one or more Transportation Engineer I, II III or IV depending on business need and the applicant’s qualifications.
The work location is 6230 E Stassney Lane, Austin, TX 78744

• Engineering Assistant I : B20 $51,200.00 - $73,200.00 yearly
• Engineering Assistant II : B21 $54,300.00 - $78,400.00 yearly
• Engineering Assistant III: B22 $57,700.00 - $83,800.00 yearly

At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including:

• Retirement Plans

• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules

• Paid Leave and Holidays

• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees

• On-the-Job Training

• Tuition Assistance Program

• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives

• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities

• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package

To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)

Performs engineering work. Work involves job rotation, training and continuing education in design, construction, construction inspection, maintenance, surveying, environmental and/or transportation operations-related activities with the intent to actively pursue engineering licensing/registration through appropriate training and exams. Design activity is supervised by a licensed professional engineer who has authority for final approval of all projects. Work requires contact with local governmental representatives, engineering contractors and private entities. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

NOTE: All employees classified as Engineering Assistants are required to participate in the Engineering Assistant Career Development program. Participation in the Engineering Assistant Career Development Program (EACDP) requires that employees sign a Program Agreement, which outlines employee responsibilities and service time commitment.

Engineering Assistant I:

• Actively prepares for professional engineering licensing/registration through appropriate training and exams and completion/maintenance of required documentation.
• Applies engineering principles, methods and techniques to a wide variety of transportation-related activities.
• Participates in Career Development for the Engineering Assistants program which includes job rotation, training and continuing education.
• Performs design computations and plan preparations to include preparing plan sheets for construction projects.
• Performs engineering-related planning, design, data collection, evaluation and analysis activities.
• Performs research and problem solving of engineering-related problems.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Engineering Assistant II – Performs all of the above duties plus:

• Performs advanced and specialized engineering design work.
• Assists during emergencies and inclement weather.
• Collects engineering data at project sites.
• Performs engineering calculations for plan quantities as part of PS&E preparation activities.
• Performs engineering-related calculations and drafting/design work.
• Prepares and checks plans, specifications and estimates (PS&E) and designs.
• Reviews construction plans prepared by consultants.
• Reviews engineering work for calculation errors and compliance with applicable federal and state laws and industry standards and guidelines.
• Reviews/designs and details bridge and structural elements.
• Uses automated roadway/structural/hydraulic design programs and computer-assisted design/engineering systems.

Engineering Assistant III – Performs all of the above duties plus:

• Performs research and problem solving of engineering-related problems
• Reviews designs and detailed drawings of bridge foundations and retaining structures prepared by other engineers and technicians.
• Reviews shop drawings, plans, specifications, estimates, supplemental agreements and change order requests.
• Drives to project/work locations to make on-site engineering reviews, analyses, tests and to provide technical support.

Education:

Bachelor's Degree in engineering or related science bachelor's or higher degree accepted by TX PELS. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Note: If you graduate in 2025 with a Bachelor’s Degree in accordance with the requirements above, you can apply for this position. However, if offered the job, you must provide proof of your degree no later than your start date.

Acceptable Substitutions for all levels:

• Master's degree in engineering or a Master of engineering degree from an institution that offers a bachelor of science degree, in the same discipline, which has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET) may substitute for a Bachelor's degree.

• Doctoral degree in engineering or a doctor of engineering degree from an institution that offers a bachelor of science degree, in the same discipline, which has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET) may substitute for a Bachelor's degree.

Experience:

• Engineer Assistant I: No work experience is required. No supervisory experience required.

• Engineer Assistant II: 1 year of Engineering related experience (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent). No supervisory experience required.

• Engineer Assistant III: 2 years of Engineering related experience (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent). No supervisory experience required. Passing Professional Engineer (PE) exam prior to obtaining requisite experience for gaining PE licensure may substitute for two (2) years of engineering related work experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

• Mandatory: Safety Impact Certificate

Competencies:

Engineering Assistant I:

• Applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations specific to area of responsibility for safeguarding information and information technology related systems
• Transportation engineering terminology and fundamentals
• Transportation design engineering principles, practices and methods and the application of engineering theory
• Engineering designs
• Applicable plans, specifications and estimates preparation, review, processing and compliance requirements
• Computer-aided drafting and design systems
• Research and analysis methodologies
• Application of engineering fundamentals engineering principles, practices, and methods in job responsibilities\
• Maintaining a safe and effective working relationship with others
• Exercises logic and reasoning to define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; makes decisions that support business objectives and goals

Engineering Assistant II and III– Greater skill in all of the above plus:

• Plan review methods, processes and procedures
• Applicable inspection methods, procedures and techniques
• Materials used in highway/bridge construction and maintenance
• Speaking to present images and ideas in a clear, concise, organized, and interesting manner to optimize audience understanding and keep the group focused

• Exercises logic and reasoning to define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; makes decisions that support business objectives and goals

Conditions of Employment:

Please read the Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT) for all positions

Conditions for an Engineer Assistant I II III

• This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical.

• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.

  • Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) – does not authorize “medical marijuana” under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.

• All employees classified as Engineering Assistants are required to participate in the EA program. Participation in the Engineering Assistant Career Development Program (EACDP) requires that employees sign a Program Agreement, which outlines employee responsibilities and service time commitment. Failure to comply with all terms of the Program Agreement will result in reclassification.

TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category.

Click on the appropriate occupational category to view the MOS codes.

The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990.

Additional Applicant Information for applicants