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 23+ Bridge Engineer jobs
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job title: Bridge Engineer
Job Location : Chicago, IL 60601. Employer will allow a hybrid work schedule.
Salary: $125,000 - $148,334
Job duties: Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and inspections of bridges. Serve as Team Leader for National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) compliant bridge inspections, overseeing all aspects of the inspection process. Identify, document, and photograph bridge component defects in the field. Manage inspection crews and coordinate with subcontractors such as traffic control and police to ensure site safety. Prepare detailed inspection reports using bridge management software MicroStation, AutoCAD, and Microsoft Office. Assist in the design of new bridges and the rehabilitation of existing structures on public roadways. Act as the task leads to preparing project plans, specifications, and cost estimates. Perform load ratings for various bridge types using American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) methods. Develop quantities, cost estimates, and specifications for bridge projects. Review shop drawings and contractor submittals to ensure compliance with design standards.
Travel: None
Requirements: Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering - Structural or related plus 6 years of experience in Civil Engineering – Structural or related.
- Illinois Professional Engineer License.
- Qualified to function as Illinois National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) Program Manager.
- Qualified to function as Illinois National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) Team Leader.
- Qualified to function as Illinois National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) Program Manager.
Requires skills and experience to involve:
- Proficiency in National Bridge Inspection Standards and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials methods.
- Demonstrated experience performing structural analysis for bridges on public roads.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with structural engineering software suite (SAP2000 or LEAP Bridge Concrete), Mathcad, Excel, finite element analysis (FEA) software (MIDAS or STAAD.Pro), Mathcad, and Bluebeam for bridge design. Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with OpenBridge Modeler and MicroStation for bridge plan production.
Benefits include:
- Medical, dental, vision insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability
- Professional and personal development
- Generous paid time off
- Commuter and wellness benefits
- Tuition Reimbursement
Michael Baker International, a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction and program management, has been solving some of the world’s most complex infrastructure challenges for more than 85 years with a legacy of expertise, experience, innovation and integrity.
Based in Pittsburgh and with over 100 offices nationwide, we partner with clients on everything from roads, bridges, tunnels, mass transit, and airports, to water treatment plants, arctic oil pipelines, environmental restoration and specialized overseas construction. We serve as a trusted adviser to the communities we serve, making them safer, more accessible, more sustainable and more prosperous.
We provide visionary leadership in facilitating transformational change for our clients. Our work delivers differentiating innovations and dedicated experts who challenge the status quo and share a world of diverse experience and an impassioned entrepreneurial spirit. We deliver quality of life.
We Make a Difference.
Michael Baker International is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Michael Baker International provides equal employment opportunity for all persons, in all facets of employment. Michael Baker International maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified and all will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, familial status, pregnancy or childbirth, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, or membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or any other legally protected status.
EEO is the Law. Applicants to and employees of Michael Baker International are protected under Federal law from discrimination.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job title: Bridge Engineer
Job Location : Chicago, IL 60601. Employer will allow a hybrid work schedule.
Salary: $125,000 - $148,334
Job duties: Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and inspections of bridges. Serve as Team Leader for National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) compliant bridge inspections, overseeing all aspects of the inspection process. Identify, document, and photograph bridge component defects in the field. Manage inspection crews and coordinate with subcontractors such as traffic control and police to ensure site safety. Prepare detailed inspection reports using bridge management software MicroStation, AutoCAD, and Microsoft Office. Assist in the design of new bridges and the rehabilitation of existing structures on public roadways. Act as the task leads to preparing project plans, specifications, and cost estimates. Perform load ratings for various bridge types using American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) methods. Develop quantities, cost estimates, and specifications for bridge projects. Review shop drawings and contractor submittals to ensure compliance with design standards.
Travel: None
Requirements: Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering - Structural or related plus 6 years of experience in Civil Engineering – Structural or related.
- Illinois Professional Engineer License.
- Qualified to function as Illinois National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) Program Manager.
- Qualified to function as Illinois National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) Team Leader.
- Qualified to function as Illinois National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) Program Manager.
Requires skills and experience to involve:
- Proficiency in National Bridge Inspection Standards and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials methods.
- Demonstrated experience performing structural analysis for bridges on public roads.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with structural engineering software suite (SAP2000 or LEAP Bridge Concrete), Mathcad, Excel, finite element analysis (FEA) software (MIDAS or STAAD.Pro), Mathcad, and Bluebeam for bridge design. Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with OpenBridge Modeler and MicroStation for bridge plan production.
Benefits include:
- Medical, dental, vision insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability
- Professional and personal development
- Generous paid time off
- Commuter and wellness benefits
- Tuition Reimbursement
Michael Baker International, a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction and program management, has been solving some of the world’s most complex infrastructure challenges for more than 85 years with a legacy of expertise, experience, innovation and integrity.
Based in Pittsburgh and with over 100 offices nationwide, we partner with clients on everything from roads, bridges, tunnels, mass transit, and airports, to water treatment plants, arctic oil pipelines, environmental restoration and specialized overseas construction. We serve as a trusted adviser to the communities we serve, making them safer, more accessible, more sustainable and more prosperous.
We provide visionary leadership in facilitating transformational change for our clients. Our work delivers differentiating innovations and dedicated experts who challenge the status quo and share a world of diverse experience and an impassioned entrepreneurial spirit. We deliver quality of life.
We Make a Difference.
Michael Baker International is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Michael Baker International provides equal employment opportunity for all persons, in all facets of employment. Michael Baker International maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified and all will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, familial status, pregnancy or childbirth, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, or membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or any other legally protected status.
EEO is the Law. Applicants to and employees of Michael Baker International are protected under Federal law from discrimination.
See All 23 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 State of Illinois, Modjeski and Masters, and CDM Smith, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 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, Edwardsville, and O'Fallon 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 94% of bridge engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 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 23 Bridge Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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