Pavement Engineer

The Nebraska Department of Transportation's Materials and Research Division is seeking a motivated, forward‑thinking engineer to help shape the future of pavement engineering across our state.

Location:

Lincoln, NE.

Depending on qualifications, the position may be filled at the Professional Engineer II, Professional Engineer I, or Engineer level.

Pay range for the Professional Engineer II classification is $41.913 per hour to $61.784 per hour. The pay rate is commensurate with education and/or experience within fiscal constraints, if approved.

Pay range for the Professional Engineer I classification is $36.443 - $53.722 per hour. The pay rate is commensurate with education and/or experience within fiscal constraints, if approved.

Pay rate for the Engineer classification is $31.968 per hour.

• Friendly and supportive work environment
• Healthy work/life balance
• Job security and stability throughout careers
• Generous paid time off
• Comprehensive health benefits
• Tuition reimbursement
• State‑matched retirement contribution of 156%

• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in either Asphalt (Flexible) Pavements or Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) Pavements, providing statewide technical leadership, guidance, and policy recommendations for pavement design, performance evaluation, and materials selection.
• Lead the development, review, and implementation of NDOT pavement design standards, specifications, test procedures, and best practices.
• Provide expert‑level technical support to NDOT districts, consultants, construction personnel, and project managers throughout the project lifecycle.
• Oversee and continuously improve quality assurance processes for pavement materials and design‑related testing, ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements.
• Supervise and mentor laboratory staff assigned to materials testing for asphalt or PCC, establishing work priorities, ensuring proper equipment utilization, supporting professional development, and maintaining a productive, quality‑focused laboratory environment.
• Review and approve pavement‑related materials test results, mix designs, trial batches, and specialized testing programs; provide recommendations for acceptance, corrective actions, or process improvements.
• Conduct advanced data analysis and engineering evaluations to support pavement design decisions, life‑cycle cost analyses, and the optimization of materials and construction practices.
• Lead or participate in research efforts, pilot projects, and technology evaluations to advance NDOT's understanding of new materials, innovative pavement strategies, and industry trends.
• Coordinate with internal and external partners, including universities, industry organizations, FHWA, and other state agencies, to ensure NDOT practices reflect the latest engineering knowledge and national best practices.
• Prepare and deliver clear technical reports, design summaries, presentations, training sessions, and guidance documents to support NDOT staff development and strengthen pavement engineering expertise statewide.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the Materials and Research Division, contributing to strategic planning, resource management, and long‑term program development.
• Utilize advanced engineering and software tools — Microsoft Office, Path Web, Micro Station, Mainframe applications, Clarity, Pavement Management System, OnBase, Project Wise, and AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design—to support pavement design, analysis, and decision‑making.
• Respond to inquiries and provide technical guidance on pavement materials and construction related matters from personnel outside the Materials and Research Division.
• Meet with project teams and stakeholders to review project‑specific details.