Senior Civil Engineer – Transportation

Location: St. Charles, IL
Employment Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire
Professional Engineer (PE) License Required
Relocation Assistance Available

About the Opportunity

Brighton Solutions is conducting an executive search on behalf of an established engineering consulting firm specializing in transportation, rail, and civil infrastructure projects.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Civil Engineer – Transportation to join the organization's engineering leadership team, with a defined opportunity to advance into the Chief Civil Engineer position.

This is a unique opportunity for an accomplished civil or transportation engineer to work alongside the current Chief Civil Engineer during a planned leadership transition over approximately 18 months. The selected candidate will progressively assume greater responsibility for technical oversight, engineering operations, project delivery, client relationships, and team leadership.

The ideal candidate will bring strong technical expertise in roadway engineering, transportation infrastructure, and Phase I and Phase II engineering projects, along with the leadership capabilities and ambition to advance into a senior engineering management role.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee civil and transportation engineering projects, with particular emphasis on roadway improvements, railroad crossings, and rail-related infrastructure.

• Manage Phase I and Phase II transportation engineering projects, including preliminary engineering studies, geometric design, construction plans, specifications, and cost estimates.
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• Provide technical leadership in roadway alignment, intersection improvements, traffic studies, drainage considerations, and transportation infrastructure design.
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• Support engineering studies and design associated with at-grade railroad crossings, roadway-rail interfaces, and related civil infrastructure.
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• Coordinate engineering activities with transportation agencies, municipalities, counties, railroads, and private-sector clients.
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• Oversee project schedules, budgets, engineering resources, quality control, and technical deliverables.
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• Review engineering plans, design calculations, specifications, and cost estimates for accuracy and compliance with applicable standards.
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• Mentor and provide technical guidance to project engineers, designers, and supporting engineering staff.
• Participate in client meetings, project presentations, proposal development, and business development initiatives.
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• Work closely with the current Chief Civil Engineer to develop the technical, operational, and leadership capabilities necessary to assume broader departmental responsibilities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required. Illinois licensure preferred; candidates licensed in another state must be eligible to obtain an Illinois PE license.
• Significant professional experience in civil or transportation engineering, with demonstrated responsibility for complex roadway or rail-related infrastructure projects.
• Strong working knowledge of Phase I and Phase II engineering, including preliminary studies, engineering reports, roadway geometric design, plans, specifications, and cost estimates.
• Experience with roadway improvements, transportation infrastructure design, and applicable state or local agency engineering standards.
• Demonstrated ability to lead engineering projects, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, and manage technical deliverables.
• Strong understanding of engineering design standards, project delivery requirements, and quality assurance practices.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and client relationship management skills.
• Interest in advancing into a senior technical and engineering leadership position.
• Experience with IDOT transportation projects and Illinois roadway design standards is a plus.
• Experience mentoring engineering staff, managing multiple projects, and supporting business development.
• Established relationships with transportation agencies, municipalities, railroad organizations, or infrastructure clients.

This position offers more than a traditional senior engineering role. It provides a structured opportunity to advance into a key leadership position within an established engineering consulting organization.

The position is offered with a highly competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, along with a collaborative professional environment with long-term career advancement potential.

Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates moving from outside Illinois.