Senior Roadway Engineer - Office Lead

Job Description

We are partnered with a growing Engineering firm that's seeking a highly experienced Senior Roadway Engineer to lead their Chicago-area roadway practice. This role combines technical excellence with leadership responsibilities, including project delivery oversight, client relationship management, mentoring staff, and contributing to strategic growth. The ideal candidate is an established roadway engineering professional who is ready to step into a leadership position and help shape their regional presence.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as Office Lead for the Chicago metro region, supporting business development, staff management, and strategic planning.
• Lead and manage multidisciplinary roadway design projects from concept through construction.
• Oversee project budgets, schedules, quality control, and client communications.
• Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and direction to junior and mid-level engineering staff.
• Support proposal development, project pursuits, and client presentations.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external partners to ensure successful project execution.
• Maintain and grow relationships with public agencies and key transportation clients across Illinois.

Required Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license in the State of Illinois (required).
• 15+ years of progressive experience in roadway/transportation engineering.
• Proven experience managing complex roadway design projects and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong understanding of IDOT, Illinois Tollway, and local agency standards and procedures.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to mentor staff and support office growth.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and client-facing skills.
• Residency within the Chicago metropolitan area (required). Remote work is supported for local candidates.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading an office, practice group, or regional market.
• Existing client relationships within Illinois transportation agencies.
• Proficiency with Micro Station, Open Roads Designer, and other common transportation design tools.

What they have to offer you

• Opportunity to lead a growing regional practice with significant autonomy.
• Flexible remote-work policy for Chicago-area residents.
• Supportive culture that values technical excellence, collaboration, and innovation.
• Competitive compensation, performance incentives, and comprehensive benefits.

How to Apply
Please submit your resume to  All conversations are confidential.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations. GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990.

We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.