Transportation Planner Engineer 4

Bowman has an opportunity for a Engineer IV, Transportation Planner to join our team in Chicago, IL.  

At Bowman, we believe in creating opportunities for aspiring people to thrive and achieve ambitious goals. That’s why a career at Bowman is more than a job. It is an opportunity to be part of a diverse and engaged community of professionals, to be treated as a respected and valued member of a motivated team and to be empowered to do exceptional work that advances the best interest of everyone involved. We recognize the importance of creating a work environment that is both rewarding to our employees and supportive of our unwavering commitment to provide unparalleled service to our clients.

Provide specialized expertise for the regional highway design group on a variety of transportation design projects under the direct supervision of an experienced professional, including transportation design, pedestrian and bicycle design, signals/ITS, bridges & structures, construction, stormwater & permitting, and road and/or other transportation related design.

Leadership and Direction

• Receive broad guidance relating to overall key objectives, critical issues, new concepts, and policy matters and broad parameters for execution.  Receive direction on highly complex assignments.  Independently apply extensive and diversified knowledge of engineering principles and practices in broad areas of assignments and related fields.  Review work produced by staff for quality assurance. 

At the Operational and Company Level

• Assist with the marketing of the firm’s capabilities to establish new clients and enhance relationships.

Do the Work

• Work with management to provide specialized technical design expertise involving advanced transportation and/or structures design, analysis, right-of-way, utility, permitting, and/or construction elements on regional transportation design projects, as related to the specialized expertise. 
• Provide consistency across the region as it relates to quality design/deliverables (e.g., engineering plans, calculations, reports, permit applications, specifications, engineering estimates and other applicable project documentation). 
• Offer guidance to regional design staff for advanced computer-assisted engineering and software to prepare engineering and design documents. 
• Work with regional management to develop CAD standards as it relates to specialty plans.  
• Attend advanced training, seminars, and public meetings for learning new technologies, industry standards, and government agency policies and procedures. 
• Lead project and agency meetings specific to specialized expertise. 
• Work with senior management to develop design staff’s engineering skills through internal and external training. 
• Conduct internal training sessions for the design staff. 
• Maintain QA/QC of specialty engineering plans, calculations, reports, permit applications, specifications, and engineering estimates, specific to the specialized expertise. 
• Assist senior management during the preparation of technical and price proposals related to specialized expertise. 
• When necessary, serve the role of Senior Engineer or Project Manager on assigned transportation design projects.

Phase I /Preliminary Engineering

• Lead the development of roadway alignments, corridor studies, feasibility studies, and conceptual engineering solutions for transportation infrastructure projects.
• Direct preparation and evaluation of preliminary design alternatives to support project development and decision-making.
• Coordinate engineering analyses and technical documentation supporting NEPA environmental review processes.
• Support and contribute to the preparation of Environmental Assessments (EA), Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), and Categorical Exclusions (CE).
• Develop engineering recommendations that balance transportation needs, environmental considerations, stakeholder input, cost, risk, and constructability.
• Prepare and oversee Phase I Project Reports, Project Development Reports (PDRs), Combined Reports, engineering studies, technical memoranda, exhibits, and project approval documentation.
• Develop planning-level and preliminary construction cost estimates.
• Review engineering analyses, technical reports, presentations, exhibits, and agency submittals for quality, accuracy, and completeness.
• Ensure compliance with IDOT, Illinois Tollway, FHWA, municipal, county, and local agency requirements and standards.
• Facilitate public involvement activities, stakeholder engagement efforts, public hearings, and agency coordination meetings.
• Identify project challenges and develop innovative, practical, and cost-effective solutions.
• Apply sound engineering judgment to technical, environmental, stakeholder, and project delivery issues.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and implementation of industry best practices.

• Ability to work both independently and within a collaborative team environment. 
• Self-reliance and ability to operate independently with limited direction.   
• Ability to effectively manage multiple time-sensitive projects/tasks. 
• Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of the organization and external partners. 
• Effective working relationship with internal leaders and peers, as well as external clients. 
• High degree of discretion and ability to manage highly confidential information. 
• Highly motivated and problem-solving attitude with a strong work ethic. 
• Strong sense of urgency in responding to constituents. 
• Commitment to promoting the reputation of the company through quality of work. 
• Aspirations to grow professionally and advance within the company. 
• Strong data analysis and interpretation skills. 
• Ability to comfortably support community engagement programs, activities, and public meetings.  
• Demonstrated interest in multimodal transportation planning and engineering.  
• Strong marketing/business development skills and mindset. 
• Effective communication, presentation, writing, and graphic skills, including public speaking, written reports, presentation materials and technical writing.  
• Commitment to becoming a “citizen” of the broader organization, breaking down barriers and silos. 

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related field. 
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
• Ten or more (10+) years of work experience with advanced transportation / transportation infrastructure project experience required.  
• Experience with IDOT, Illinois Tollway, and County/Municipal/Local Agency Phase I projects.  
• Active participation in advanced training and seminars.  
• Valid state driver's license and ability to successfully pass a motor vehicle check or reliable form of transportation to/from the office and/or project site strongly preferred.

Phase I / Preliminary Engineering

• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and coordinating project development activities.
• Support development and management of project scopes, schedules, budgets, staffing plans, and deliverables.
• Monitor project performance and proactively address technical and delivery challenges.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams to ensure quality project execution and client satisfaction.
• Experience serving as a Task Manager, Deputy Project Manager, or technical lead on transportation planning and Phase I projects.
• Experience preparing and overseeing technical reports, engineering studies, agency documentation, and project approvals.
• Experience mentoring engineering staff and supporting team development.
• Experience supporting proposal preparation and business development activities preferred.
• Established relationships with IDOT districts, Illinois Tollway staff, municipal agencies, county clients, and other transportation stakeholders preferred.
• Demonstrated ability and interest in progressing toward expanded project management and client management responsibilities preferred.
• Excellent communication, technical writing, presentation, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to effectively lead multidisciplinary teams and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to build and maintain strong client and agency relationships.

Strong knowledge of:

• IDOT Phase I studies and project development procedures.
• Illinois Tollway project delivery requirements.
• NEPA processes and environmental documentation.
• Alternatives analysis and feasibility studies.
• Public involvement and agency coordination.
• Preliminary roadway design and transportation planning.
• IDOT BLRS Project Development Reports (PDRs).
• Transportation project development and approval processes.

Proficiency with or familiarity in:

• OpenRoads Designer.
• MicroStation.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Bluebeam
• Microsoft Office Suite

Are you ready to build a career that makes a lasting impact? At Bowman, our people are at the center of everything we do. We’re committed to creating an environment where employees can thrive both personally and professionally, while helping to shape the infrastructure of tomorrow.

A career at Bowman means being part of a collaborative, forward-thinking organization where innovation, inclusion, and growth are encouraged at every level. We offer competitive compensation, a supportive work environment, and benefits designed to help our employees succeed.

Salary and eligible variable compensation (if any) commensurate with experience. Range $125,000- $155,000 per year and includes a comprehensive benefits package.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match
• Paid time off, sick leave, and paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development support
• Discretionary bonuses and other performance-based incentives
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP), wellness initiatives, and employee discounts

Eligibility for certain benefits may vary based on position, location, and employment status.

• Primarily indoor professional office environment which may include bright/dim light, noise, fumes, odors, and traffic.
• Mobility around an office environment.
• Frequent and prolonged use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
• Occasional outdoor work environment which may include adverse weather conditions, varying temperatures, excessive noise, and/or potential hazards.
• Mobility around a job/construction site to include walking, bending, crawling, climbing, squatting, or kneeling and wearing of required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Primarily local travel during the business day, although some out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be required according to the needs of the business.
• Occasional lifting or carrying up to 20 pounds.  
• Occasional pushing or pulling up to 20 pounds.  
• Occasional reaching outward or above shoulder.