Sr. Bridge Engineer - Technical Manager

Farnsworth Group is seeking an experienced Senior Bridge Engineer – Technical Manager to join our growing Transportation Structural team in Illinois. This position is an opportunity for an experienced bridge engineer to take a senior technical leadership role within a growing structural practice. The Technical Manager will both self-perform and direct engineering teams in the analysis, design, rehabilitation, inspection, and load rating of highway bridges and other transportation structures.
The successful candidate will serve as a senior technical resource to project teams, helping establish appropriate analysis and design approaches, solve complex structural problems, review engineering work, mentor developing engineers, and support the continued growth of Farnsworth's bridge and structural practice.
We are looking for someone who enjoys being directly involved in engineering while also helping other engineers develop their technical capabilities.
The Impact You Will Have
Perform and lead structural analysis and design for new and existing highway bridges and transportation structures.
Serve as a senior technical resource for complex bridge engineering assignments involving steel, prestressed concrete, reinforced concrete, substructures, foundations, retaining structures, and related structural systems.
Lead the technical development of bridge projects from preliminary engineering through final design and preparation of construction documents.
Establish appropriate structural analysis methods, design assumptions, software, modeling approaches, and engineering procedures for project teams.
Perform and review advanced bridge analysis and design, including steel girder systems, prestressed concrete structures, substructures, integral and semi-integral abutments, retaining structures, and other transportation structures.
Support the analysis and design of structures subject to seismic demands and other complex loading conditions.
Perform and oversee bridge load-rating evaluations using AASHTOWare Bridge Rating and other appropriate analysis software.
Lead and support NBIS bridge inspection assignments, including field inspection, condition evaluation, load rating, documentation, and development of repair or rehabilitation recommendations.
Review calculations, plans, specifications, reports, and other engineering deliverables for technical accuracy, completeness, constructability, and compliance with applicable standards.
Mentor engineers and assist in advancing the technical capabilities of the Structural team through project-based training, technical guidance, and engineering review.
Coordinate technical activities with Project Managers and communicate engineering progress, design decisions, risks, and technical issues throughout project delivery.
Participate in internal quality assurance and quality control activities and help maintain consistent technical standards across structural projects.
Serve as a technical specialist or advisor on projects throughout Farnsworth's transportation practice.
Develop expertise in targeted areas of bridge engineering and contribute to the continued development and growth of Farnsworth's structural practice.
What We Are Looking For
Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in structural engineering required.
Master's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering preferred.
Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Illinois required.
Approximately 10 or more years of progressively responsible structural engineering experience, with a significant focus on highway bridges and transportation structures.
Demonstrated experience in bridge analysis and design using AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications and applicable state and local agency standards.
Strong technical background in steel girder, prestressed concrete, reinforced concrete, substructure, abutment, and foundation design.
Experience with bridge rehabilitation, load rating, and evaluation of existing structures.
Experience performing or leading NBIS bridge inspections.
NHI Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges training or equivalent qualification preferred.
NHI training and experience related to inspection of Nonredundant Steel Tension Members is highly desirable.
Experience with Illinois transportation agencies, counties, municipalities, or similar public-sector transportation clients preferred.
Strong working knowledge of bridge engineering and analysis software such as AASHTOWare Bridge Rating, MDX, LEAP Bridge, LARS, STAAD.Pro, or comparable programs.
Experience with MicroStation and OpenRoads Designer or comparable transportation design platforms.
Working knowledge of geotechnical/structural interaction and analysis tools such as LPile or comparable software is desirable.
Strong understanding of applicable AASHTO, FHWA, NBIS, and transportation-agency standards.
Demonstrated ability to independently solve complex structural engineering problems and provide technical direction to other engineers.
Experience mentoring and developing engineering staff.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively with project teams, clients, and other stakeholders.
Preferred Qualifications
Illinois Structural Engineer (SE) licensure, or interest in pursuing SE licensure, is preferred but not required.
Additional PE licensure in other states is desirable as Farnsworth continues to expand its bridge and transportation practice.
Experience serving as a bridge inspection Team Leader and managing inspection and load-rating programs involving multiple structure types is highly desirable.
Experience performing independent design reviews or technical quality-control reviews of complex bridge structures is also desirable.
About the Role
This is not intended to be solely a project-management position. The successful candidate will remain actively engaged in structural engineering and will be expected to provide hands-on technical leadership to project teams. The position provides an opportunity for an experienced bridge engineer to become a key technical leader within Farnsworth's growing Structural group, mentor the next generation of engineers, help establish technical standards and capabilities, and play an important role in expanding the types and complexity of bridge projects delivered by the team.
Compensation to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, as well as internal and external equity.
Illinois Pay Transparency
$120,000—$197,000 USD
Who We Are:
Join Farnsworth Group, a nationally recognized architectural engineering and surveying firm where your career can thrive! For eleven consecutive years, we’ve been certified as a Great Place to Work®, and our engineers, architects, surveyors, and scientists channel their passion and expertise into making meaningful contributions to the world around us. With more than 650 talented professionals across 24 offices, we collaborate with clients ranging from small communities to some of the world’s largest brands. Our success is built on our people - their passion, creativity, and commitment to excellence. Here, you’ll find a supportive culture that champions your growth, embraces challenges, values work-life balance, and empowers you to make a lasting impact for our clients and communities. Join us and move your career forward.
A Great Place to Work Certified
For eleven consecutive years, Farnsworth Group has earned the prestigious Great Place to Work® certification—thanks to our employees! Each year, our staff participate in a survey administered by the Great Place to Work organization, measuring perceptions of credibility, respect, pride, fairness, and camaraderie. The results are benchmarked against the nation’s leading companies, and only top performers receive the certification. Insights from the survey help us continually enhance our work environment and foster a culture that makes Farnsworth Group an even greater place to work.
Full-time regular employee benefits and perks include:
401(k) with 100% Company Match up to 5%
Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans
Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
Short & Long-Term Disability
Maternity and Paternity Leave
Professional Development and Training
Mentoring Program
Paid Time Off
Wellness/Fitness Reimbursements
Pet Insurance Plan
Hybrid Work Program
Farnsworth Group appreciates that flexibility and work-life balance are important aspects of the careers and lives of our employees. Our Hybrid Work Program offers employees a flexible work arrangement while contributing to the Company’s culture and success. Please discuss with your recruiter for details.
Statement on Diversity and Inclusion:
Farnsworth Group is a collection of employees with unique backgrounds and perspectives that all come togethe