Civil Highway Engineer / Railroad Specialist

What You Will Do GFT is seeking a Civil Highway Engineer/Railroad Specialist to join our Practice or CBG Team in Schaumburg, IL! This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at the Schaumburg, IL office. GFT’s Transportation team offers the opportunity to engage in transformative projects that enhance transportation infrastructure and improve community connectivity. Whether working on highways and bridges or traffic engineering, our team excels in resilient, sustainable design and construction, delivering innovative solutions that address the complexities of modern, multimodal roadway systems and ensure safe, efficient, and reliable travel for all. What you’ll be challenged to do GFT’s Schaumburg, IL office seeks a Civil/Transportation Engineer/Railroad Specialist to join our growing office of roadway, highway, structural, transit, rail, and intermodal designers and construction inspectors as a roadway/highway Railroad Specialist on Phase I and Phase II projects. The person will be a member of our highway division and will be part of a Program Management role. The position is a full‑time role (40 hours a week) working in the IDOT District One office in the Bureau of Design, Project Support Section, Railroad Unit. The successful candidate will perform various tasks including project coordination with the IDOT Project Manager, design consultants and railroad staff. This position will assist with the IDOT at‑grade crossing program and implementing public improvements on the State highway system. This individual will use engineering skills to understand and interpret roadway plan drawings and specifications to facilitate improvements to the State highway system. The candidate will work with the IDOT Project Manager and the design consultant in coordinating public improvements with railroads. This coordination would range from preliminary concept design and geometry layout to detailed contract plans and specifications for reconstruction, widening and bridge replacements that impact railroad facilities. This would include attending design meetings and facilitating solutions to design and scheduling issues and questions. The candidate will assist in the development of the at‑grade crossing safety improvement program. Additional duties would include preparing responses to public inquiries, inspecting railroad crossing conditions, and construction management of field improvements by the railroad forces on the State highway system. The candidate will be required to coordinate with local governments on detour routes for proposed grade crossing replacement. The candidate will review force account bills and process work for payment by railroads on safety crossing improvements. The candidate will work with IDOT’s Central Office and Chief Counsel in coordination of Railroad Agreements. This individual may be asked to testify at ICC Hearings regarding public improvements. A candidate with a background working with IDOT in preliminary engineering, development of plans or construction is recommended. This individual may be asked to prepare sketches and plan diagrams for at‑grade crossing, so a base level knowledge of CADD would be beneficial in the execution of duties. The individual will be called upon to collaborate closely with other teams on multi‑disciplinary projects. Responsibilities Analyzes information and data to perform routine design tasks. Makes decisions independently on engineering problems and methods. Responsible for accuracy of engineering design and plans, quality presentation, thoroughness and follow‑through, and efficient conformance to budgets, schedules, and company standards. Reviews design options and document findings from the design team. An understanding of OpenRoads is preferred. Manages workload and any changes in project schedule or scope or additional services. Education & Experience Minimum 5 years of related, in‑field experience, including work directly or as a consultant for the Illinois Tollway, Illinois DOT, Chicago DOT, Cook County Department of Transportation & Highways, or local counties and municipalities, and with Federally funded projects. Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering or similar field from an ABET accredited university. E.I.T. Certification. Candidates must possess strong technical skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to work well in a team environment on multi‑disciplinary projects. Previous experience on projects with railroad coordination and inspection of roadway/railroad work in the field is preferred. Previous highway, drainage, construction inspection, track, traffic signal, and/or lighting experience is preferred. Individuals will be expected to possess an Illinois Driver’s License. Compensation The salary range for this role is $85,000 - $125,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location. Benefits Hybrid (in‑person and remote) work environment. Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance. Tax‑deferred 401(k) savings plan. Competitive paid‑time‑off (PTO) accrual. Tuition reimbursement for continued education. Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations. Incentive compensation for eligible positions. GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law. Location: Schaumburg, IL Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Employment Status: Full‑Time Applicants in the County of Los Angeles: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Applicants in the City of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Applicants in the State of California: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act. #J-18808-Ljbffr Gannett Fleming