Bridge Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
Bridge engineer jobs in North Carolina are consistently active, with demand concentrated in transportation infrastructure, municipal public works, and large-scale highway programs at every level from entry-level design to senior project engineer. Raleigh, Charlotte, and the Research Triangle are the primary hiring hubs, where firms such as NCDOT, HNTB, and WSP maintain a lasting presence and recruit regularly. The most sought-after specialties in North Carolina include load-rating analysis, AASHTO-compliant design, and inspection under the state's federally funded bridge replacement programs. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Join Ayres – a USA TODAY Top Workplace recognized in both 2025 and 2026 – where people-first leadership, collaboration, and professional growth create an environment where great teams do their best work.
Required Credentials:
- Registered PE in (NC, SC, VA, or TN)
- NBIS/SNBI Qualified Team Leader
Required Skills:
- Demonstrated leadership skills, communication skills, and ability to work with various teams.
- Business Development/Marketing/Networking
Desired Skills, but not required:
- Commercial Diving Certification.
- Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT) Certification.
Finding the right fit:
You could find yourself atop some of the nation’s highest bridges – or you might find yourself diving under one or alongside them, assessing their condition on ground level. Take pride in the fact that you’ll be performing critical, essential work to ensure the safety of the public and the nation’s key infrastructure by assessing structural conditions of bridges, dams, overhead signs and other structures. As someone who knows the business and appreciates the industry, you would mentor, empower, and guide your fellow staff.
What do I need to come to the table with?
- Minimum 5 years of applicable bridge inspection, load rating, and/or design experience.
- Successful completion of FHWA-NHI approved comprehensive Bridge Inspection Team Leader training.
- Successful completion of the following courses:
- FHWA-NHI approved NSTM (previously fracture-critical) inspection techniques for steel bridges training course
- FHWA-NHI approved bridge inspector refresher training course to maintain certified Bridge Inspection Team Leader status, if over 5 years since comprehensive course
- Proficient with MS Suite, specifically Word and Excel.
- Physical ability to climb, negotiate work areas, swim, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
- Flexibility and willingness to work within the United States to inspect sites for up to two weeks at a time.
- Valid driver’s license and good driving record.
Where will I travel to?
Where the work is, which is mostly throughout the southeast states. Your travel expenses are covered, and overall, you can expect about 50% of your time to be spent in the field, with the remaining 50% in the office.
What will I be expected to do?
- Lead or assist with business development efforts with new and existing clients.
- Lead or assist with team planning and coordination to complete inspections.
- Function as part of a team to complete initial, routine, in-depth, and NSTM (previously fracture-critical) inspections of fixed, movable, and signature bridges; dams; hydraulic structures; and other miscellaneous structures for public and private owners.
- Develop and review inspection reports summarizing outcomes and condition assessments completed during inspections.
- Use various access techniques including under bridge inspection equipment, industrial rope access techniques, or other access methods to complete structural field inspections.
- Complete structural load ratings as needed.
Benefits of being part of the Ayres team:
- Health, dental, and vision Insurance.
- Short and long-term disability and life insurance.
- Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) and 401K with company match.
- PTO upon hire, paid holidays including two floating holidays, and a flexible work schedule.
- Professional development opportunities.
Please note, benefits vary depending on job status. To learn more about our great benefits, visit our website at https://www.ayresassociates.com/careers/the-ayres-advantage/ (https://www.ayresassociates.com/careers/the-ayres-advantage/)
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This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 18 Bridge Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Bridge Engineer JobsBridge Engineer Jobs by City in North Carolina
Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Bridge Engineer Job Market in North Carolina
A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Construction & Real Estate
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What North Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in bridge engineer jobs across North Carolina.
- Active Professional Engineer license issued or recognized by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors
- Bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering from an ABET-accredited program
- Proficiency in structural analysis and design software such as LEAP Bridge, MicroStation, or OpenBridge
- Experience with AASHTO LRFD bridge design standards and NCDOT project delivery processes
- Familiarity with federal bridge inspection protocols and FHWA load-rating requirements
- Strong technical writing skills for producing NCDOT-compliant design reports and construction documents
Bridge Engineer Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a bridge engineer in North Carolina?
Becoming a bridge engineer in North Carolina requires a bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering followed by licensure through the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors. Candidates must pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, accumulate supervised experience under a licensed Professional Engineer, and then pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam to earn the PE license that most North Carolina employers require for independent design work.
How much do bridge engineers make in North Carolina?
Bridge engineers in North Carolina earn a median of about $100,730 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $70,760 for the lowest 10% to over $160,520 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire bridge engineers in North Carolina?
Employers hiring bridge engineers in North Carolina right now include LJB, HDR, and CTL Engineering, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. North Carolina's active NCDOT bridge replacement and rehabilitation pipeline keeps both large engineering consultancies and state agency offices hiring throughout the year.
Which North Carolina cities have the most bridge engineer jobs?
Charlotte, Raleigh, and Kernersville are the North Carolina cities with the most bridge engineer openings. Raleigh anchors demand as the home of NCDOT headquarters and a dense cluster of engineering consultancies, Charlotte draws work through its rapid urban infrastructure growth and CDOT projects, and the Research Triangle area supports openings tied to state and federal transportation programs managed from the region.
Are there remote bridge engineer jobs in North Carolina?
Yes, but they're rare. About 22% of bridge engineer openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most bridge work. The portions of the role most likely to be done remotely are preliminary design, load-rating analysis, and structural calculations, while field inspection and construction oversight roles are almost always on-site.
How can I get hired as a bridge engineer in North Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to NCDOT's graduate engineer program, which recruits new civil engineering graduates into structured rotations covering design, inspection, and project management across North Carolina divisions. Large consultancies such as HNTB and WSP also hire engineers-in-training for junior design roles. Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam early and building a portfolio of AASHTO or finite-element coursework projects gives candidates a clear edge over equally new graduates who have not yet started the licensure process.
Where can I find and apply to bridge engineer jobs in North Carolina?
You can find and apply to bridge engineer jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current North Carolina openings updated regularly. Search the listings, identify roles that fit your experience and location, and apply directly to each employer through the listing.
See All 18 Bridge Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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