Senior Construction Engineer / Field Services Lead - Transportation

Job Description

Job Description

Bring your construction expertise to transportation projects that keep Wisconsin communities connected.

Join TKDA as a Senior Construction Engineer out of Wauwatosa, where you will lead field engineering, construction inspection, and contract administration for roadway and airfield construction projects. This opportunity is designed for an experienced professional with 10 or more years of progressive transportation construction experience, and current inspection and materials testing certifications relevant to the work. 

As a member of our multidisciplinary team, you will collaborate with civil engineers, electrical engineers, planners, and construction professionals on projects ranging from highway and local roadway reconstruction to runway, taxiway, and apron rehabilitation. You will bring a practical field perspective to project delivery, helping teams anticipate construction challenges, resolve issues, and maintain clear communication among designers, contractors, and other stakeholders.

In this senior-level role, you will serve as a primary on-site representative for assigned projects, exercise independent judgment within your delegated authority, and coordinate the work of inspectors and materials testing personnel. You will help manage construction-phase scope, budgets, schedules, documentation, and client expectations while verifying that completed work conforms to contract requirements. This is a hands-on, field-focused opportunity that combines technical leadership, complex problem-solving, and mentorship with continued involvement in inspection and day-to-day construction administration.

Success in this role could open the door to broader leadership opportunities, including building and leading a team of construction engineering and management professionals. As you grow, you could help shape and expand TKDA’s project delivery services and capabilities across a wider range of project types, combining team development, technical leadership, and contractor and agency relations to support long-term growth.

What You Will Do

• Lead on-site construction observation, inspection, and contract administration for roadway and airfield projects, coordinating field coverage across concurrent activities and critical stages of construction.
• Interpret plans, specifications, special provisions, and applicable agency requirements; verify conformance, document deficiencies, and coordinate timely resolution with contractors, designers, and owner representatives.
• Coordinate inspection and materials sampling and testing for earthwork, aggregates, asphalt, concrete, drainage, and utilities; review results and supporting records for compliance with project requirements.
• Lead preconstruction and progress meetings, communicate project status and emerging risks, and coordinate construction phasing with roadway traffic or airport operations to help minimize disruptions.
• Provide technical direction and mentorship to construction inspectors and early-career professionals, promoting consistent inspection practices, sound judgment, and thorough documentation.
• Evaluate changes in field conditions, requests for information, proposed substitutions, and potential contract modifications; develop recommendations and support change-order negotiations within delegated authority.
• Review quantities, payment documentation, daily reports, photographs, materials records, and as-built information; maintain complete, accurate records through final acceptance and project closeout.
• Monitor construction progress against schedules and report cost, quality, and schedule concerns; coordinate resolution without assuming responsibility for contractor means, methods, or site safety programs.
• Support proposals, construction services fee estimates, staffing plans, schedules, and constructability reviews; contribute field insights that improve project planning and delivery.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, construction engineering, or civil engineering combined with ten or more years of progressive transportation construction inspection, field engineering, or construction management experience, including responsibility for complex assignments and coordination of field personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to independently interpret construction plans and specifications, evaluate field conditions, identify nonconforming work, and coordinate practical solutions with the project team.
• Demonstrated ability to guide and mentor inspectors and early-career construction professionals while managing competing field priorities.
• Experience coordinating inspection activities and materials testing, reviewing construction records, evaluating payment quantities, and supporting contract modifications.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, including experience leading construction meetings and working directly with agency representatives, contractors, and multidisciplinary design teams.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record.
• Ability to work outdoors year-round; travel up to 75%, including overnight stays; work occasional overnight or extended hours; and carry up to 50 pounds across rough terrain and stand for extended periods, with or without reasonable accommodation. 

Advantageous Qualifications

• Experience delivering both roadway and airfield construction projects, including work in operating airport environments and familiarity with FAA construction specifications and airport construction phasing requirements.
• Prior experience inspecting and administering WisDOT roadway construction projects, with strong working knowledge of WisDOT specifications, construction documentation, materials requirements, quantity measurement, payment procedures, and project closeout.
• Current Wisconsin Highway Technician Certification Program (HTCP) certifications relevant to assigned inspection and materials testing responsibilities, such as grading, aggregates, hot-mix asphalt, Portland cement concrete, or nuclear density testing; ability to maintain required certifications and obtain additional assignment-specific credentials.
• Professional Engineer licensure in Wisconsin, or the ability to obtain Wisconsin licensure.
• Experience with AASHTOWare Project Construction or other WisDOT construction administration systems.
• Additional credentials or training in materials coordination, erosion and sediment control, or construction site management.
• Experience conducting or reviewing construction staking, as-built, and topographic surveys; familiarity with total stations, GPS equipment, and field data collectors.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD or Civil 3D and experience using survey data to support quantity calculations and construction documentation.
• Experience supporting proposals, construction services budgets, staffing plans, and ongoing client relationships.

The listed salary range reflects only the starting base pay range for candidates with 10-20 years of related experience. Compensation may vary based on experience, qualifications, and responsibilities.

Upon acceptance of a conditional offer of employment, the selected candidate will be required to complete a standard pre-employment background screening, which consists of Social Security verification, educational verification, review of criminal convictions, and driving history.

Note: To be considered for this position and to perform the assigned responsibilities, the selected candidate must complete and pass all background and security requests required by state and/or federal agencies responsible for aviation operations as a condition of employment.

100% Employee-Owned 

At TKDA, every employee is an owner. From the front desk to the corner office, every one of our 450 professionals thrive on collaboration and holistic development. Our success is collective, and so are the rewards.

Comprehensive Benefits

• Health Benefits: Enjoy medical, dental, vision, and life insurance from day one
• Annual Incentive Plan: Eligible for discretionary bonuses
• HSA Contributions: Receive monthly employer contributions if you choose an HSA-eligible plan
• 401(k) Match: Get employer matching on your 401(k) deferrals
• ESOP: Benefit from our Employee Stock Ownership Plan, funded entirely by company profits
• Paid Time Off: Accrue PTO based on your professional experience and enjoy eight paid holidays per year

Upon receiving a formal offer, you will get a personalized Total Compensation Overview (TCO) to see how everything adds up and what it looks like to be part of our community.

TKDA is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status, gender identity, or any other characteristics protected by law. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, all applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

**All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future visa sponsorship needs or requirements.** TKDA does not sponsor any type of employment visas, including but not limited to H‑1B, F‑1 OPT/CPT, TN, or other work authorization programs.

*Pre-Employment Screening*

Upon acceptance of a conditional offer of employment, the selected candidate will be required to complete a standard pre-employment background screening, which consists of Social Security verification, educational verification, review of criminal convictions, and driving history.

***Notice to Recruiters and Placement Agencies***

TKDA will not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or placement agencies unless a service agreement is in place. In the event TKDA receives an unsolicited resume without a service agreement in place, TKDA will not be obligated to pay a service fee of any amount nor will TKDA be held liable to terms or conditions under any agreement of any kind that has not been authorized in writing by a TKDA officer.