Engineer - II; Region Design Engineer

Role Overview

Apply for the Engineer I - II (Region Design Engineer) role at the State of South Dakota.

Agency:
Department of Transportation / Division of Operations

Location:

Aberdeen, SD
Salary: $32.06 - $38.99 per hour, depending on experience
Pay Grade: E1 - E2
Closing Date: 01/16/2026

The successful applicant will be a member of the Region Design squad within the Aberdeen Region Office. This position involves design layout and assembly of highway construction and maintenance plans, including roadway surfacing, pipe culverts, minor grading, guardrail, riprap, and other miscellaneous highway features. Duties may include designing development through analyzing project scope, preparing designs based on standards, field inspections, design reviews of peers’ work, and providing technical assistance to construction staff and contractors.

Typical work: 40‑hour week, Monday–Friday; primarily office with occasional outdoor fieldwork in all weather conditions and around traffic. Limited overnight travel for meetings.

• Positive attitude
• Willingness to learn
• Self‑motivated and determined mindset

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Highway design methods, processes, and sequences (preferred)
• Standard terminology, techniques, and practices of drafting and graphical designs
• Engineering and scientific principles, practices, and methods applicable to highway design

Required Skills

• Access, operate, and maintain various software applications (Microsoft-based, Microstation, Inroads, Open Roads Designer, ArcGIS)
• Read and interpret highway construction plans, right‑of‑way plats, and regulatory documents
• Provide technical information and interpretation to permitting agencies, consultants, contractors, and staff

Abilities

• Display high standards of ethical conduct
• Work independently on multiple concurrent projects through the entire design process
• Attend to details and complete work accurately and thoroughly
• Establish effective relationships with personnel, contractors, consultants, and the public
• Exercise sound judgment and decisive action
• Communicate information verbally and in writing
• Promote a friendly collaborative work climate

Current bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, or graduate in spring 2026. Only applicants with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related field will be considered.

Engineer (E‑1): bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related field with a desire to learn and design. Engineer (E‑2): bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related field plus 1–3 years of progressive education, training, and experience equivalent to Level 2 of the Engineering Career Family.

Experience in highway construction or design with knowledge of roadway surface, pipe culvert, construction materials, and guardrail is helpful. A valid driver’s license is required.

The total compensation of hourly wage plus State/Federal benefits for a typical year is approximately $89,431.00 annually. Benefits include:

• Health insurance (zero‑cost premium, low and high deductible, single and family plans)
• Well‑being program
• Employee assistance program
• Dental, Vision, and Health Savings Account
• Free basic life insurance policy
• South Dakota Retirement System membership with partial state match
• Paid leave (15 vacation days per year)
• Sick leave (14 days per year)
• Paid family leave (12 weeks for birth/adoption)
• Military leave (15 days per year)
• 11 paid holidays
• Longevity pay
• Semimonthly pay periods
• Meal per diem eligibility
• Paid overtime if applicable

Must apply online at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). E‑mail resumes or submissions will not be accepted. This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference. The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas. All applicants must verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I‑9. The State of South Dakota will use E‑Verify upon hire.