Engineering Assistant I or II

Overview

The Amarillo District is looking for an Engineering Assistant I or II for the Engineering Assistant (EA) Career Development Program. The role involves job rotation, training, and continuing education across design, construction, inspection, maintenance, surveying, and transportation operations, with the goal of pursuing professional engineering licensure. Engineering Assistants work independently on assignments, but are supervised by a licensed professional engineer who approves all projects.

The position requires interaction with local governmental representatives, engineering contractors, and private entities.

• Actively prepare for professional engineering licensing/registration through appropriate training, exams, and maintenance of required documentation.
• Apply engineering principles, methods, and techniques to a wide variety of transportation‑related activities.
• Assist during emergencies and inclement weather.
• Assist in survey activities.
• Collect engineering data at project sites.
• Create detailed PS&E.
• Participate in the EA Career Development Program, which includes job rotation, training, and continuing education.
• Perform engineering‑related calculations, drafting, and design work.
• Perform engineering‑related duties in the field of transportation engineering.
• Prepare and check plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) and designs.
• Prepare drawings and exhibits to support public involvement.
• Review construction plans prepared by consultants.
• Use automated roadway/structural/hydraulic design programs and computer‑assisted design/engineering systems.
• Perform other job responsibilities as assigned.

• Perform advanced and specialized engineering design work.
• Actively prepare for professional engineering licensing/registration through appropriate training, exams, and maintenance of required documentation.
• Assist in survey activities.
• Assist in training less experienced engineering assistants, specialists, and/or technicians.
• Create detailed PS&E.
• Perform other job responsibilities as assigned.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or related science (degree accepted by TX PELS). Master’s or Doctoral degrees in the same discipline are acceptable substitutions. Students graduating May 2026 with the required degree may apply with proof of degree by the start date.
• Experience:
  
  Engineering Assistant I – no work experience required. Engineering Assistant II – at least 1 year of engineering‑related experience (full‑time or prorated part‑time).
• Licenses and
  
  Certifications:
  
  Valid driver’s license; position requires driving a state vehicle. Engineering Assistant II requires a TX Engineer In Training Certificate.
• Preferred:
  Passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.

• Some knowledge of transportation engineering terminology and fundamentals, plans and estimates preparation, computer‑aided drafting, and the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
• Proficient in applying engineering fundamentals, using engineering workstations, reading and interpreting plans, schematics, blueprints, and maps, performing calculations using algebra, trigonometry, and geometry, and maintaining a safe working relationship with others.

• Considerable knowledge of materials used in highway/bridge construction, highway construction and maintenance.
• Proficient in advanced and specialized design/drafting, design review, and performing detailed calculations for material and labor estimates, expenses, technical survey data, and engineering calculations.

• Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions.
• Exposure to hazards such as moving vehicles, mechanical parts, high places, heat, or chemicals.
• Required to wear protective gear (respirator, hard hat, etc.).
• Light physical work:
  Lifts up to 20 lbs at a time and frequently lifts or carries objects up to 10 lbs.
• Balance tasks: walking, standing, crouching on various surfaces without falling.
• Close visual acuity required (data analysis, screen viewing, extensive reading).