Bridge Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Bridge engineer jobs in Illinois are consistently active, with strong demand concentrated in transportation infrastructure, municipal public works, and rail corridor projects at every level from entry-level EIT to senior project engineer. The largest hiring markets are Chicago, Rockford, and the Metro East region near St. Louis, where firms like AECOM, WSP, and the Illinois Department of Transportation maintain ongoing staffing needs. Structural inspection, load-rating analysis, and design of highway and rail bridges are among the most sought-after specialties in the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 18+ Bridge Engineer jobs
What You Will Be Doing:
- Lead and coordinate engineering design efforts by guiding junior and mid-level engineers and working collaboratively with CADD teams to develop plans, specifications, and estimates for the preliminary and final design of steel and concrete bridges, walls, culverts, and sign structures.
- Identify and understand technical requirements and implement engineering principles to develop solutions, determine staffing needs, and execute projects, ensuring quality control throughout.
- Demonstrate familiarity with Illinois DOT, Illinois Tollway, and Chicago DOT standards and procedures, ensuring design solutions align with agency requirements, contract documents, and multidisciplinary coordination.
- Engage directly with clients and stakeholders, such as Illinois DOT and Illinois Tollway to discuss project progress, technical requirements, and design solutions.
- Prepare technical reports, including Bridge Condition Reports (BCRs), structural evaluation memos, feasibility studies, and other project documentation.
- Participate in technical meetings and discussions; strategize solutions to complex or unique technical problems assisting in the development of scope, fees, project execution and planning.
- Identify technical differentiators and develop schemes for key project pursuits.
- Assist in providing construction support, including review of shop drawings, responding to RFIs, and other construction-related issues.
- Collaborate with other bridge departments, offering assistance and sharing expertise across different office locations.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Civil/Structural Engineering (Master’s preferred).
- Active Structural Engineer (SE) license in Illinois is required. Professional Engineer (PE) license is a plus.
- 8-12 years of experience in structural/bridge engineering design.
- Familiarity with Illinois DOT, Illinois Tollway, and Chicago DOT standards and procedures.
- Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of structural engineering principles and bridge design methodologies.
- Experience with the design of multiple bridge types in concrete and steel, including curved structures, retaining wall systems, culverts, and sign structures. Experience with railroad bridges is a plus.
- Design experience using AASHTO LRFD, AISC, ACI, and other North American design codes and standards. Familiarity with AREMA design codes is a plus.
- Proficiency in structural engineering software, including CSi Bridge, SAP2000, and STAAD.Pro for 3D modeling and analysis; LEAP Bridge and MDX Software for steel and prestressed concrete girder design; and LEAP Bridge and LPILE for substructure design. Proficient in Mathcad and Excel for hand calculations and verification. Experienced in MicroStation and OpenRoads/Bridge Modeler for CAD production and plan preparation.
- Ability to perform full hand calculations for verification of superstructure and substructure components, including superstructure components, piers, abutments, retaining walls, and deep foundations.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with experience in coordinating with clients, preparing technical reports (BCRs, feasibility studies), and responding to RFIs and submittals.
We realize there’s more to life than just work. We help you meet the demands of work, family and personal life through several flexible options.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
What You Will Be Doing:
- Lead and coordinate engineering design efforts by guiding junior and mid-level engineers and working collaboratively with CADD teams to develop plans, specifications, and estimates for the preliminary and final design of steel and concrete bridges, walls, culverts, and sign structures.
- Identify and understand technical requirements and implement engineering principles to develop solutions, determine staffing needs, and execute projects, ensuring quality control throughout.
- Demonstrate familiarity with Illinois DOT, Illinois Tollway, and Chicago DOT standards and procedures, ensuring design solutions align with agency requirements, contract documents, and multidisciplinary coordination.
- Engage directly with clients and stakeholders, such as Illinois DOT and Illinois Tollway to discuss project progress, technical requirements, and design solutions.
- Prepare technical reports, including Bridge Condition Reports (BCRs), structural evaluation memos, feasibility studies, and other project documentation.
- Participate in technical meetings and discussions; strategize solutions to complex or unique technical problems assisting in the development of scope, fees, project execution and planning.
- Identify technical differentiators and develop schemes for key project pursuits.
- Assist in providing construction support, including review of shop drawings, responding to RFIs, and other construction-related issues.
- Collaborate with other bridge departments, offering assistance and sharing expertise across different office locations.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Civil/Structural Engineering (Master’s preferred).
- Active Structural Engineer (SE) license in Illinois is required. Professional Engineer (PE) license is a plus.
- 8-12 years of experience in structural/bridge engineering design.
- Familiarity with Illinois DOT, Illinois Tollway, and Chicago DOT standards and procedures.
- Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of structural engineering principles and bridge design methodologies.
- Experience with the design of multiple bridge types in concrete and steel, including curved structures, retaining wall systems, culverts, and sign structures. Experience with railroad bridges is a plus.
- Design experience using AASHTO LRFD, AISC, ACI, and other North American design codes and standards. Familiarity with AREMA design codes is a plus.
- Proficiency in structural engineering software, including CSi Bridge, SAP2000, and STAAD.Pro for 3D modeling and analysis; LEAP Bridge and MDX Software for steel and prestressed concrete girder design; and LEAP Bridge and LPILE for substructure design. Proficient in Mathcad and Excel for hand calculations and verification. Experienced in MicroStation and OpenRoads/Bridge Modeler for CAD production and plan preparation.
- Ability to perform full hand calculations for verification of superstructure and substructure components, including superstructure components, piers, abutments, retaining walls, and deep foundations.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with experience in coordinating with clients, preparing technical reports (BCRs, feasibility studies), and responding to RFIs and submittals.
We realize there’s more to life than just work. We help you meet the demands of work, family and personal life through several flexible options.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
See All 18 Bridge Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Bridge Engineer JobsBridge Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Bridge Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in bridge engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Illinois or eligibility for Illinois licensure by endorsement
- Bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering from an accredited program
- Experience with AASHTO design standards and IDOT project delivery procedures
- Proficiency in structural analysis software such as LEAP Bridge, SAP2000, or OpenBridge Designer
- Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification accepted for entry-level and junior bridge engineer roles
- Familiarity with Illinois bridge inspection protocols and NBI reporting requirements
Bridge Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a bridge engineer in Illinois?
To become a bridge engineer in Illinois, you earn a bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering from an ABET-accredited program, then pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam to earn your EIT credential through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. After gaining qualifying experience under a licensed engineer, you sit for the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam to obtain your Illinois Professional Engineer license, which is required for signing and sealing bridge designs.
How much do bridge engineers make in Illinois?
Bridge engineers in Illinois earn a median of about $99,760 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $69,590 for the lowest 10% to over $157,410 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire bridge engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring bridge engineers in Illinois right now include Baxter & Woodman, Stanley Consultants, and Horner & Shifrin, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's combination of aging infrastructure, active IDOT capital programs, and major rail networks keeps private engineering consultancies and public-sector agencies in a near-continuous hiring posture.
Which Illinois cities have the most bridge engineer jobs?
Chicago, Aurora, and Marion are the Illinois cities with the most bridge engineer openings, driven primarily by Chicago's scale as a national transportation hub with dense highway, rail, and river-crossing infrastructure, while Rockford and the Metro East area generate demand through regional IDOT district offices and municipal improvement programs.
Are there remote bridge engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Bridge engineering is heavily field- and project-dependent, so most roles require on-site inspection, client meetings, or agency coordination. About 83% of bridge engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions are almost always limited to design-phase or analytical work such as load-rating studies and plan production rather than construction oversight or field inspection.
How can I get hired as a bridge engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to IDOT or large Illinois-based engineering consultancies as a junior bridge engineer or bridge design engineer after earning your EIT credential. Firms like AECOM and WSP regularly onboard new graduates into structured project teams, and IDOT's Bureau of Bridges and Structures hires associate engineers for plan review and inspection support. Building a portfolio of capstone or independent structural design work and obtaining your EIT before applying gives you a meaningful edge over candidates who haven't yet tested.
Where can I find and apply to bridge engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to bridge engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings from employers actively hiring. Search the available roles, identify the ones that fit your experience and location, and apply directly through each listing without any additional sign-up step required.
See All 18 Bridge Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Bridge Engineer Jobs