Entry Level Traffic Engineer Jobs
New grad traffic engineer jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where a strong internship project or portfolio of transportation studies can matter more than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Consulting & Professional Services, Government & Public Sector, and Construction & Real Estate, with employers like CTL Engineering, Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, and HDR hiring at this level now.
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INTRODUCTION
Plan, implement and manage the safety program, with emphasis on proactive safety analysis and crash and fatality prevention. Establish, implement and track completion of safety and operational improvement projects, including before and after analysis. Address roadway safety and operational problems through a process of conducting traffic engineering studies, analyses, and preparing recommended solutions. Provide Responsible Charge oversight in determining the need for and appropriate type of traffic control on the roadway system. Provide engineering expertise in assigned program areas. Provide recommendations for resolution of project issues. Communicate with internal VDOT staff, local government staff, consultants, citizens and FHWA regarding transportation projects and programs. Assist in developing, implementing and monitoring policies, procedures, guidance and practices for engineering projects and programs.
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.
- Conduct Engineering Studies: Provide oversight to the collection and processing of traffic data for engineering studies, safety and congestion management or operational analysis. Review data, written reports of traffic engineering study findings, recommendations, and alternative solutions for accuracy and compliance. Prepare business correspondence and technical letters with recommendations for suggested corrective measures as a result of studies. Present formal presentations for engineers, residencies and other organizations and civic groups. Provide written supporting documentation to management to support traffic engineering decisions.
- 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 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.
- Traffic Engineering Technical Support: Provide oversight to the inventory of roadway and roadside safety items for modification or replacement by projects or inquiry by others. Manage and lead the development of final pavement marking, pavement marker, sign plans and other traffic control device plans. Provide guidance on placement, installation, functionality and condition of signs, markings, markers, roadside barriers and other traffic engineering items or principles.
- Transportation Plan Development: Provide oversight to the preliminary engineering functions of Traffic Engineering. Attend various project related meetings to discuss or clarify traffic control requirements, the design of traffic engineering related items, and respond to any questions that may arise. Review temporary traffic control plans and estimates of traffic control devices for accuracy and compliance. Coordinate with Public Affairs staff for proper Public Communications Plan of TMP. Coordinate with internal divisions on Transportation Operations Plan portion of TMP.
- Work Zone Safety and Field Support: Provide oversight, support and direction to agency design, construction, maintenance and permit staff. Oversight is provided regarding work zone and traffic control plans and devices to ensure conformance with established guidelines and the safe and efficient flow of traffic. Provide guidance to field applications of work zones and review the recommended adjustments that may require modification or adaptation of typical guidelines in the Work Area Protection Manual or the MUTCD. Lead the coordination of any changes or improvements that may be appropriate. Respond to requests from Residency staff for assistance in setting up traffic control layouts and devices in emergency response situations. Conduct Work Zone Traffic Control Training.
What will make you successful:
- Ability to analyze complex problems, using statistical and data trend crash analysis and field observations to determine appropriate safety and engineering countermeasures.
- 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 interpret and apply local, state and federal transportation laws, regulations and guidelines.
- Ability to plan, coordinate and manage multiple, concurrent assignments.
- Ability to read and interpret plans, contracts, specifications and regulations.
- Ability to research, analyze, and prepare technical reports and project correspondence.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct roadway safety audits, comprehensive safety reviews and operational capacity analyses.
- Knowledge of agency standards, specifications, policies and procedures, both in technical engineering, work zone safety and in fiscal and administrative aspects.
- 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 strategic, operational and financial management principles, practices and techniques.
- Knowledge of transportation engineering principles, practices, standards, and specifications.
- Knowledge of transportation, highway and traffic engineering principles and practices, with strong emphasis in highway safety.
- 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 analyze complex problems, using statistical and data trend crash analysis and field observations to determine appropriate safety and engineering countermeasures.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with individuals and with groups.
- Ability to interpret and apply standards, specifications, policies and procedures related to engineering, work zone safety, fiscal and administrative responsibilities.
- Ability to lead and coordinate staff on project assignments.
- Ability to manage a program and lead diverse groups in efforts to improve highway safety.
- Degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct roadway safety audits, comprehensive safety reviews and operational capacity analyses.
- Experience applying transportation, highway and traffic engineering principles and practices, with strong emphasis in highway safety.
- Knowledge of federal and state regulations (including FHWA) related to traffic engineering activities and projects.
- Skill in the use of computers and software applications to include traffic engineering analysis and design software.
- Valid Professional Engineer's license.
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
- Experience in problem solving and finding creative, low-cost quick solutions to highway safety and operations problems.
- Experience working with engineering consultants on projects.
- Knowledge or experience in highway construction and maintenance operations.
- Leading and coordinating staff on projects.
- PTOE license.
Physical Requirements
Physical Requirements
VDOT employees must abide by VDOTs Code of Ethics and the Commonwealths Standards of Conduct.
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Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services11
- Government & Public Sector3
- Construction & Real Estate2
Entry Level Traffic Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level traffic engineer job?
Entry level traffic engineer roles typically look for a degree in civil or transportation engineering, familiarity with traffic modeling software such as Synchro or HCS, and any hands-on exposure from internships or capstone projects. Candidates who can show field data collection experience, a working knowledge of the Highway Capacity Manual, or coursework in signal timing design tend to stand out at this stage.
Which companies hire entry level traffic engineers?
Companies hiring entry level traffic engineers right now include CTL Engineering, Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, and HDR, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Municipal transportation agencies, regional planning firms, and engineering consultancies focused on roadway design and safety studies are among the most consistent employers at this level.
Are there remote entry level traffic engineer jobs?
Yes, though most traffic engineer roles at the entry level involve some fieldwork or office collaboration. About 18% of entry level traffic engineer openings are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, meaning fully remote positions exist but on-site and hybrid arrangements remain the most common setup for early-career candidates in this field.
Are these new grad traffic engineer jobs?
Yes, these listings include new grad, recent graduate, and junior traffic engineer roles. A posting is new-grad friendly when it welcomes zero to two years of experience, accepts internships or co-op work in lieu of full-time history, or invites candidates to submit a portfolio of academic transportation projects alongside a resume rather than requiring a long professional record.
Which industries hire the most entry level traffic engineers?
Entry Level traffic engineer roles concentrate in Consulting & Professional Services, Government & Public Sector, and Construction & Real Estate, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Those sectors drive the most early-career hiring because infrastructure investment, urban growth planning, and government-funded roadway safety programs consistently create demand for junior engineers who can support traffic impact studies and signal design work.