Traffic Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Traffic engineer jobs in Virginia are consistently active, with strong demand across transportation planning, civil infrastructure, and highway design from entry-level analyst roles through senior project engineers. The busiest hiring markets are Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Hampton Roads, where firms like VDOT, HNTB, and Kimley-Horn maintain significant and lasting operations. The most sought-after specialties in the Virginia market include traffic signal systems, transportation safety analysis, and corridor planning. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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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.
See All 18 Traffic Engineer Jobs in Virginia
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Find Traffic Engineer JobsTraffic Engineer Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Traffic 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
- Government & Public Sector
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in traffic engineer jobs across Virginia.
- Active Professional Engineer (PE) license issued or recognized by the Virginia Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, transportation engineering, or a closely related field from an accredited program
- Proficiency in traffic analysis software such as Synchro, HCS, or VISSIM for modeling and simulation
- Experience preparing traffic impact studies, signal timing plans, or transportation demand analyses
- Familiarity with VDOT standards, the Highway Capacity Manual, and MUTCD guidelines
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for coordinating with clients, agencies, and public stakeholders
Traffic Engineer Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a traffic engineer in Virginia?
Becoming a traffic engineer in Virginia typically starts with a bachelor's degree in civil or transportation engineering, followed by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam to become an Engineer in Training. After gaining qualifying work experience, you apply for a Professional Engineer license through the Virginia Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects. That PE license is the credential most Virginia employers and state agencies require for independent project work.
How much do traffic engineers make in Virginia?
Traffic 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 traffic engineers in Virginia?
Employers hiring traffic engineers in Virginia right now include Whitman, Requardt & Associates, LLP, Virginia Department of Transportation, and WSP, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Virginia's strong VDOT project pipeline and dense concentration of federal and defense-adjacent infrastructure work keep hiring across consulting firms and public agencies consistent throughout the year.
Which Virginia cities have the most traffic engineer jobs?
The cities with the most traffic engineer openings in Virginia are Virginia, Salem, and Fairfax. Northern Virginia dominates due to its proximity to federal agencies and major transportation corridors, Richmond anchors VDOT headquarters and a strong state-government consulting market, and Hampton Roads draws steady demand from military base access projects and regional port infrastructure.
Are there remote traffic engineer jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but they're limited. Traffic engineering involves field reviews, agency coordination, and site-dependent analysis that makes fully remote work uncommon. About 80% of traffic engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those arrangements are most often found in data-heavy work like traffic modeling, signal timing optimization, and transportation planning report writing.
How can I get hired as a traffic engineer in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a junior or staff engineer role at a Virginia consulting firm or directly with VDOT, which hires new graduates into its transportation engineer trainee program. Firms like Kimley-Horn and HNTB with large Virginia offices regularly bring on entry-level engineers who have passed the FE exam, and a degree from a Virginia program accredited by ABET gives you an immediate advantage in those applicant pools.
Where can I find and apply to traffic engineer jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to traffic engineer jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across consulting firms, public agencies, and infrastructure contractors. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 18 Traffic Engineer Jobs in Virginia
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