Engineers work in one of the many areas related to the location, design, construction, and/or rehabilitation of state highways and bridges. General descriptions of the major areas and duties follow; responsibility within these areas varies depending on the area assigned and the applicable job level.
Design
- Develops highway and bridge plans for projects.
- Performs highway and bridge design studies.
- Prepares and/or reviews designs of right-of-way and construction plans for existing highway improvement and new construction projects.
- Prepares plan details and specifications for foundations, slopes, drainage, and other geotechnical features.
Construction
- Oversees project execution by private construction companies.
- Inspects project site materials and workmanship for contract compliance.
- Tests construction materials, performs geotechnical samples, analysis, and design.
- Investigates and analyzes unstable foundations, solid-rock slope failures, and groundwater problems.
Maintenance
- Designs, analyzes, and evaluates pavement surfaces.
- Conducts engineering and traffic studies to establish speed limits, passing zones, sign placement, pavement markings, and related traffic controls.
Engineering Levels
This program provides a well-rounded experience and is designed to show new engineering graduates — or those with acceptable experience and an Engineer-in-Training certificate — the diverse types of engineering work performed while preparing them for a career with PennDOT. Upon hire, civil engineer trainees enter a comprehensive 12-month training program that encompasses all major areas of civil engineer responsibility. Areas include, but are not limited to, design, construction, and maintenance. Trainees may have the opportunity to spend a portion of their time in an area of particular interest, such as intelligent transportation systems, traffic, rapid bridge replacement, or environmental engineering. Upon successful completion of the program, trainees are promoted to the journey level and have excellent opportunities for further career advancement
Civil engineers perform preliminary engineering studies by working on component parts within an assigned functional area. Supervisors are responsible for supervising technicians and may serve as project managers.
Senior Civil Engineers are the recognized experts of a specialized engineering function and may have overall project accountability. Supervisors at the advanced professional level are responsible for supervising other engineers or technicians who perform preliminary engineering studies, location or foundation investigations, review or plans/specifications, or serving as construction engineers on large/complex projects.
Civil Engineer Managers are responsible for the management and supervision of professional engineering activities associated with the design, engineering, computation, construction, fabrication rehabilitation, inspection, or maintenance of highway bridges and related structures. Civil Engineer Consultants perform similar work of a non-supervisory nature.