Civil Highway Engineer​/Railroad Specialist

What You Will Do

GFT’s Transportation team is seeking a Civil Highway Engineer/Railroad Specialist to join our Practice or CBG Team in Schaumburg, IL. This hybrid‑work role requires regular attendance at the Schaumburg office and provides opportunities to engage in transformative projects that enhance transportation infrastructure and improve community connectivity.

The position is a full‑time, 40‑hour per week role within the IDOT District One Office, Bureau of Design, Project Support Section, Railroad Unit. The successful candidate will:

• Perform project coordination with the IDOT Project Manager, design consultants, and railroad staff for Phase I and Phase II projects.
• Analyze roadway plan drawings and specifications to facilitate improvements to the State highway system, including at‑grade crossing safety improvement programs.
• Coordinate with IDOT Project Manager and design consultant on preliminary concept design, geometry layout, detailed contract plans, and specifications for reconstruction, widening, and bridge replacements impacting railroad facilities.
• Attend design meetings, facilitate solutions to design and scheduling issues, and prepare responses to public inquiries.
• Inspect railroad crossing conditions, manage construction of field improvements, and coordinate with local governments on detour routes for grade‑crossing replacements.
• Review force account bills, process work for payment by railroads, and coordinate with IDOT Central Office and Chief Counsel on Railroad Agreements.
• Assist in the development of the at‑grade crossing safety improvement program and may be asked to testify at ICC hearings.
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams on projects.
• Analyze information and data to perform routine design tasks, make independent engineering decisions, and ensure accuracy, quality presentation, and conformance to budgets and schedules.
• Manage workload and any changes in project schedule or scope.

• Minimum 5 years of in‑field experience, including work directly or as a consultant for the Illinois Tollway, Illinois DOT, Chicago DOT, Cook County Department of Transportation & Highways, or local counties and municipalities, with federally funded projects.
• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering or similar field from an ABET accredited university.
• E.I.T. Certification.
• Strong technical skills, excellent verbal and written communication, and ability to work well in a team environment on multidisciplinary projects.
• Previous experience on projects with railroad coordination and field inspection of roadway/railroad work preferred.
• Previous experience with highway, drainage, construction inspection, track, traffic signal, and/or lighting preferred.
• Illinois Driver’s License required.

• Knowledge of CADD, including the ability to prepare sketches and plan diagrams for at‑grade crossing projects.
• Ability to work collaboratively with program management and other design teams.
• Commitment to professional development and continuous education.

The salary range for this role is $85,000 – $125,000, based on experience and geographic location.

• Hybrid (in‑person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, pet insurance, medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax‑deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid‑time‑off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations.
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

GFT:
Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.

Schaumburg, IL

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Full‑Time