Bridge Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Bridge Engineer jobs in Virginia are consistently in demand, concentrated in transportation infrastructure, federal defense corridors, and municipal public works, with openings at every level from entry-level designer to senior project engineer. Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads metro are the core hiring hubs, anchored by employers like VDOT, AECOM, and WSP USA. The most sought-after specialties include structural analysis, load-rating assessment, and inspection of aging interstate and rail bridges. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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How you will contribute:
- Communications: Communicate effectively with customers internal and external to VDOT including local governments, elected officials, citizen groups, and FHWA.
- Conduct Engineering Studies: Participate in or oversee engineering studies. Collect, analyze and process data and information. Develop written reports, recommendations, and solutions that are technically accurate and compliant. Prepare business correspondence and technical letters with recommendations for suggested corrective measures as a result of studies. Prepare or present formal presentations for VDOT staff, or other organizations.
- Design, Analyze and Check Structural Elements: Prepare preliminary and final bridge and structure designs for new construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation projects. Prepare bridge plans, sketches, and structural drawings. Check structural plans prepared by others. Ensure shop plans meet AASHTO and VDOT specifications, are geometrically correct and meet requirements of project design plans. Investigate condition of existing structures and assist in developing scope of proposed bridge rehabilitations. Analyze structures for safe load carrying capacity and perform structural calculations to ensure soundness and compliance of structural elements.
- Meetings: Schedule, lead and participate in pre-construction conferences, contract showings, and other related structure and bridge construction meetings. Provide a thorough review of structural plans to ensure they conform with AASHTO and VDOT guidelines and specifications to minimize field problems and delays.
- Policies and Procedures: Assist in the development of policies, procedures and practices reflecting proactive management of the assigned engineering program area.
- Process Improvements: Develop, recommend and implement process and policy improvements as needed. Assist in monitoring compliance to ensure conformance to the policy, procedures and state and federal laws and regulations.
- Project Management and Documentation: Organize work and monitor work tasks such that projects and documentation are completed within schedule using VDOT's standards, policies and procedures.
- Project Management: Serve as project manager for new bridge design and bridge rehabilitation projects. Ensure effective development of bridge projects by coordinating design activities with other sections, divisions and consultants. Assist in the development of scopes of work, develop and manage project schedules, review proposals and manhours, assist with negotiations, review proposals, and coordinate activities for advertisement. Oversee project activities to meet project requirements. Maintain project records and correspondence. Attend project meetings to give and receive updates on project progress.
- Project Team Participation: Participate or lead project teams as assigned. Ensure timely communications between project team members and stakeholders. Ensure information is technically accurate and effectively disseminated. Review and resolve challenges to enhance team performance.
- Responsible Charge Engineer: Fulfill duties as responsible charge engineer in compliance with policies, procedures and the Code of Virginia.
What will make you successful:
- Ability to apply advanced engineering principles and practices to a variety of complex transportation projects.
- Ability to build networks and relationships with employees from other divisions, field personnel, contractors, manufacturers and FHWA representatives.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse audiences and to make presentations and conduct meetings.
- Ability to develop effective working relationships at all organizational levels, both internally and externally.
- Ability to draw rational conclusions and develop solutions from analysis; make independent decisions; and manage multiple assignments.
- Ability to estimate quantities and costs of materials.
- Ability to interpret and apply local, state and federal transportation laws, regulations and guidelines.
- Ability to manage projects and review and administer consultant design contracts.
- Ability to plan, coordinate and manage multiple, concurrent assignments.
- Ability to produce structural design plans and notes.
- Ability to read and interpret plans, contracts, specifications and regulations.
- Ability to research, analyze, and prepare technical reports and project correspondence.
- Considerable knowledge of civil engineering principles and practices related to structural engineering to include strength of materials, statics and structural analysis.
- Considerable knowledge of structural steel design, reinforced and prestressed concrete design and soil mechanics.
- Knowledge of federal, state and local laws, codes and ordinances and policies pertaining to transportation engineering.
- Knowledge of financial management to include budgeting and cost estimation.
- Knowledge of project management processes.
- Knowledge of specifications, codes and regulations related to structural design (e.g. AASHTO and LRFD structural design standards).
- Knowledge of strategic, operational and financial management principles, practices and techniques.
- Knowledge of transportation engineering principles, practices, standards, and specifications.
- Skill and ability to positively interact with employees, citizens and government officials.
- Skill in delivering exemplary customer service and the ability to interact courteously and professionally with the public and other employees.
- Skill in negotiating.
- Skill in the use of computers and software applications to include engineering software.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with internal and external customers.
- Ability to estimate quantities and costs of materials.
- Ability to interpret construction plans and design specifications.
- Ability to manage projects and review and administer consultant design contracts.
- Ability to produce structural design plans and notes.
- Degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering or related field.
- Experience applying civil engineering principles and practices related to structural engineering to include strength of materials, statics and structural analysis.
- Experience in structural steel design, reinforced and prestressed concrete design and soil mechanics.
- Knowledge of specifications, codes and regulations related to structural design (e.g. AASHTO and LRFD structural design standards).
- Skill in the use of computers and software applications to include automated engineering and design software.
- Valid Professional Engineer's license.
Additional Considerations:
- Experience in bridge design engineering, repair, and rehabilitation.
- Experience in the design and analysis of bridges and structures.
- Experience managing projects and consultant contracts.
- Experience using AASHTO's LRFD design specifications.
- Experience using MS Office, bridge design, and MicroStation software.
Click below to learn more about the Competency Model associated with this Position:
Competency Model
Physical Requirements
Physical Requirements
VDOT employees must abide by VDOTs Code of Ethics and the Commonwealths Standards of Conduct.
VDOT Code of Ethics
Standards of Conduct
See All 26 Bridge Engineer Jobs in Virginia
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Find Bridge Engineer JobsBridge Engineer Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Bridge Engineer Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Construction & Real Estate
- Transportation & Logistics
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in bridge engineer jobs across Virginia.
- Active Virginia Professional Engineer license or PE licensure recognized by the Virginia Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers, and Landscape Architects
- Bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering from an ABET-accredited program
- Proficiency in structural analysis software such as LEAP Bridge, MIDAS Civil, or SAP2000
- Experience with AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications and VDOT Road and Bridge Standards
- Familiarity with federal and Virginia project delivery processes including NEPA documentation and FHWA coordination
- EIT or Engineer in Training certification for entry-level candidates progressing toward full PE licensure
Bridge Engineer Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a bridge engineer in Virginia?
Becoming a bridge engineer in Virginia starts with a bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering from an ABET-accredited institution, followed by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam to earn Engineer in Training status. After gaining qualifying experience, you apply for a Professional Engineer license through the Virginia Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers, and Landscape Architects. Most VDOT and private-sector bridge roles require or strongly prefer a current Virginia PE license.
How much do bridge engineers make in Virginia?
Bridge engineers in Virginia earn a median of about $97,120 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $74,000 for the lowest 10% to over $150,710 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire bridge engineers in Virginia?
Employers hiring bridge engineers in Virginia right now include Moffatt & Nichol, VHB, and Virginia Department of Transportation, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Virginia's dense network of VDOT-funded infrastructure programs and federal defense facilities in Northern Virginia creates steady demand across both public agencies and large engineering consultancies with permanent offices in the state.
Which Virginia cities have the most bridge engineer jobs?
Richmond, Norfolk, and Fairfax lead Virginia for bridge engineer openings. Northern Virginia's proximity to federal agencies and VDOT headquarters in Richmond drives the bulk of the work, while Hampton Roads generates consistent demand through port infrastructure, military installation support, and ongoing interstate rehabilitation projects across the region's complex waterway crossings.
Are there remote bridge engineer jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but they're rare. About 70% of bridge engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting that most bridge work requires site visits, inspection, and close coordination with construction crews. The portions of the role most suited to remote arrangements are structural modeling, report writing, and plan review during early design phases.
How can I get hired as a bridge engineer in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to VDOT's graduate engineer program or to the new-graduate hiring pipelines at large Virginia-based consultancies like AECOM, WSP USA, and Michael Baker International, all of which regularly recruit civil engineering graduates into bridge design teams. Entry-level roles with titles like bridge design engineer, structures EIT, or inspection technician are the common starting points. Earning your EIT certification before applying and building a portfolio of structural analysis coursework or senior capstone projects gives candidates a concrete advantage in Virginia interviews.
Where can I find and apply to bridge engineer jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to bridge engineer jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across public agencies, engineering consultancies, and infrastructure contractors. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your experience and location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 26 Bridge Engineer Jobs in Virginia
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