Bridge Preservation Engineer

ABOUT THE POSITION

Bridge Preservation Engineer

VHB is a trusted partner to transportation agencies across the East Coast, helping them maintain critical infrastructure under challenging circumstances, including budget constraints, labor shortages, and capacity limitations. As a Bridge Preservation Engineer, you will serve as a client-focused technical expert, working directly with transportation agencies and VHB's structural teams to deliver practical, durable, and cost-effective bridge rehabilitation and preservation solutions.

This role allows you to leverage your expertise to guide project delivery, mentor staff, and establish VHB as the go-to firm for bridge preservation programs. You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of structural, highway, rail, and traffic professionals across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, contributing to both technical excellence and business development.

Responsibilities

Project and Program Support

Provide senior technical support on active bridge projects, including quality control and coordination with project managers.
• Develop plans, specifications, cost estimates, schedules, and load ratings with design teams.
• Support transportation agencies in policy development, asset management, and project planning, including potential embedded roles within agencies.
• Design repair and strengthening strategies for complex existing bridge structures.
• Educate and inform VHB staff on agency policies, processes, and programs to enhance project delivery and client satisfaction.
• Mentor mid- and junior-level structural staff and participate in internal training initiatives.
• Collaborate on strategic pursuits, including scoping, scheduling, design, and permitting for projects.

VHB Bridge Preservation Presence

• Engage with state DOTs, railroad agencies, and municipalities to identify challenges and opportunities for support.
• Coordinate with VHB structural leaders to share best practices and improve client service.
• Participate and lead industry groups and committees (e.g., AASHTO, FHWA, ASCE, WTS, SEBPP) and contribute to research and academic initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, gather feedback, and develop tailored solutions.
• Assist agencies in standardizing bridge maintenance and preservation practices, including details, specifications, materials, and analytical guidelines.

Skills and Attributes

• Strong technical problem-solving and analytical skills in bridge preservation and rehabilitation.
• Proven leadership and mentorship abilities, with a collaborative approach to team development.
• Excellent communication and client engagement skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to identify opportunities for practice growth and enhanced client service.
• Proactive, results-driven, and capable of balancing multiple priorities in a part-time capacity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering (structural emphasis preferred); 1-2 years of experience may substitute for a master's degree.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• Minimum of 11 years of relevant bridge engineering experience.
• Independent experience in developing bridge preservation and maintenance programs.
• Project experience with NCDOT preferred.

We are VHB! We're an inspired and innovative team of engineers, scientists, planners, and designers who partner with clients in the transportation, real estate, institutional, and energy industries, as well as federal, state, and local governments. Our work helps improve mobility, enhance communities, and contribute to economic vitality. We do this while balancing development and infrastructure needs with stewardship of our environment.

Our people make us great! VHB provides a differentiating employee experience, which includes:

• Diverse and inclusive culture of collaboration and innovation
• Opportunity to work on complex, transformational projects
• Community and social responsibility as sustainable stewards
• Focus on learning, development, and career growth
• Best-in-class benefits, including flexible, hybrid workplace

We are consistently rated one of the top AEC firms to work for across our 30+ offices on the East Coast. We're growing, and we hope you'll join us!

VHB is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of inclusion and belonging, supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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