Assistant Transportation Engineer

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State.

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Maine Department of Transportation  

Salary: $56,867.20 - $79,747.20 per year (Salary Schedule) 

Office/Bureau: Project Development

Opening Date: November 9, 2026

Closing Date: November 24, 2026

Job Description:

This position provides an opportunity to contribute to the design and construction inspection of the state's transportation infrastructure.

Working under the supervision and guidance of licensed Professional Engineers and experienced engineering personnel, the Entry-Level Civil Engineer will assist with a variety of engineering projects and activities involving highway design, bridge design, geotechnical engineering, and construction inspection.

This position is intended for individuals beginning their engineering careers who are interested in developing their technical knowledge, gaining practical engineering experience, and working toward professional engineering licensure.

Depending on the candidate's background, interests, and departmental needs, assignments may be focused in one or more of the following areas:

• Highway and roadway design
• Bridge and structural design
• Geotechnical engineering
• Highway and bridge construction inspection

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Entry-Level Civil Engineer will perform a variety of engineering and technical duties under the direction and supervision of licensed Professional Engineers and senior engineering staff. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Highway and Roadway Design

• Assist with the planning and design of highway, roadway, intersection, and transportation improvement projects.
• Prepare and revise engineering drawings, plans, profiles, cross sections, and construction details.
• Assist with roadway geometry, drainage, grading, erosion control, and traffic-related design activities.
• Perform basic engineering calculations, quantity estimates, and technical evaluations.
• Utilize computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) and other engineering software to develop and revise project plans.
• Assist with the preparation of plans, specifications, cost estimates, and contract documents.

2. Bridge and Structural Design

• Assist with the design, evaluation, rehabilitation, and replacement of bridges and other transportation structures.
• Perform basic structural engineering calculations and assist with the evaluation of structural components.
• Prepare and revise structural drawings, details, and design documentation.
• Assist with bridge inspections, condition assessments, and review of existing structural information.
• Support the preparation of design plans, specifications, quantities, and cost estimates.

3. Geotechnical Engineering

• Assist with geotechnical investigations and evaluations for highway, bridge, and other transportation projects.
• Review soil boring logs, subsurface investigation reports, and laboratory testing results.
• Assist with the evaluation of soil and rock conditions, foundations, retaining walls, embankments, slopes, and pavement subgrades.
• Perform basic geotechnical calculations and assist with the preparation of technical reports and recommendations.
• Participate in field investigations and coordinate with geotechnical consultants, contractors, and other engineering personnel as needed.

4. Construction Inspection and Engineering Support

• Assist with the inspection and oversight of highway, bridge, and other transportation construction projects.
• Observe construction activities to evaluate general conformance with approved plans, specifications, and contract requirements.
• Perform field measurements, document construction progress, and maintain daily inspection reports.
• Assist with material sampling, testing, and documentation in accordance with applicable standards and procedures.
• Review contractor work activities, construction schedules, quantities, and project documentation.
• Communicate with contractors, consultants, project engineers, and other department personnel regarding construction activities and project issues.
• Assist with the identification and documentation of construction deficiencies and potential discrepancies for review by supervisory personnel.

Additional Responsibilities

• Review engineering plans, specifications, standards, and technical documents.
• Assist with project coordination and communication between engineering disciplines.
• Collect, organize, and evaluate engineering data and project information.
• Participate in field visits, site investigations, and construction-related activities.
• Prepare technical memoranda, reports, correspondence, and project documentation.
• Develop familiarity with applicable state and federal transportation standards, design criteria, policies, and procedures.
• Participate in training, professional development, and continuing education opportunities.
• Perform other related engineering duties as assigned.

To be minimally qualified for this position candidates must provide evidence of the following experience:

A Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or closely related field –OR- non-engineering college graduates and non-degreed candidates must possess a Certification of Engineer-Intern as issued by the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers.

Licensing/Registration/Certification Requirements: (These must be met by all employees prior to attaining permanent status in this class).

Non-degreed candidates must possess Certification as Engineer Intern issued by the Maine State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers.

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants need to apply online by clicking the "Apply for this Opening/Apply Now" button along with uploading a cover letter, current resume, and any applicable copies of post-secondary transcripts, licensing, registration and certifications. 

If you have general questions, please contact MaineDOT Human Resources at 207-624-3050 or via email at jobs.DOT@maine.gov

Why join our team?

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Wellness – We care about you and your family’s wellbeing, offering 12 days of sick leave annually to help you stay healthy.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($12,213.60-$13,650.48 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
  • Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by up to 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($358.08 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 14.06% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS). 

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. 

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. 

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.

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If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.