Roadway Team Leader

GFT is seeking a Roadway Team Leader to join our Transportation Team in Chicago, IL! This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at our Chicago, IL office.Leading a Transportation team at GFT 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. Explore some of our signature Transportation projects here. What you’ll be challenged to do:GFT’s Chicago, IL office seeks a Roadway Team Leader with minimum 8 years of Phase I and Phase II design and management experience to join our growing office of roadway, bridge, aviation, transit and rail designers. This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at our Downtown Chicago office (222 S. Riverside Plaza).This individual will be a member of our roadway group and will lead one of our Chicago Teams. They will manage personnel and lead challenging projects in a unique and dynamic work environment for highway, railroad/transit, and airport projects. Candidates with a background in preliminary engineering and development of detailed plans and specifications are required. The individual may also be called on to work closely with other teams on multi-disciplinary projects.In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following: Lead an individual highway team of 4-6 engineers and technicians. This would include developing staffing plans, mentoring staff and managing engineers and technicians to achieve completion of various tasks.Lead the development of civil design concepts, criteria, and technical direction on major tasks.Provides technical guidance on unusual or complex problems and supervisory approval on proposed plans for projects.Analyzes information and data to perform routine design tasks.Makes decisions independently on engineering problems and methods and routinely represents the organization in meetings to resolve important questions, and to plan and coordinate work.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.Interface with clients to provide technical solutions and ensure project satisfaction.Manages project budgets and schedules ensuring KPI’s are met, track task progress across concurrent assignments, and manages changes in project schedule or scope or additional services. Support development of statements of interests and proposals for various clients, including development of scope, approach and cost estimates.Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.What you will bring to our firm: Minimum 10 years of related experience, including working directly or as a consultant for the Illinois Tollway, Illinois DOT, Chicago DOT, Cook County Department of Transportation & Highways, local counties and municipalities, and with Federally funded projects is expected.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 as a Project Manager leading projects is preferred.An understanding/working knowledge of OpenRoads Designer, Microstation, Geopak, AutoCAD, Civil3D, MS Office and other design software experience is required. Individuals with an Illinois PE are preferred. Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering and an Illinois Driver’s License are required.Compensation:The salary range for this role is $115,000 - $185,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.Featured 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 organizationsIncentive compensation for eligible positions.At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.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.Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions. Location: Chicago, ILCore Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMEmployment Status: Full-Time#LI-MS2#LI-HybridJob SummaryJob ID: 2026-14225Job Category: RoadwayEmployment Status: Full-Time