Transportation Engineer Jobs in Tennessee
Transportation Engineer jobs in Tennessee are consistently active, driven by strong demand in state and local government agencies, civil consulting firms, and infrastructure development across urban corridors and rural highway networks, with openings at every level from entry-level project assistant to senior program manager. Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville are the primary hiring hubs, anchored by employers such as HNTB, Kimley-Horn, and the Tennessee Department of Transportation. The most in-demand specialties include traffic engineering, roadway design, and transportation planning for both municipal and freight corridor projects. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job Information
State of Tennessee Job Information
LOCATION OF (2) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, MADISON COUNTY
These positions are in Region 4 - Preconstruction - Roadway Design and Traffic Design Sections.
For more information, visit the link below:
Roadway Design: https://www.tdot.tn.gov/PublicDocuments/Hr/RegionPreconstruction-RoadwayDesign-TransportationEngineer.pdf
Traffic Design: https://www.tdot.tn.gov/PublicDocuments/hr/RegionalPreconstruction-TrafficDesign-Transportation-Engineer.pdf
This position has a starting rate of $8,525 monthly / $102,300 annually.
These positions may be eligible to work from home two (2) days a week and must report to the office three (3) days, after an initial training period.
Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS (Education must be from an accredited institution.)
Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in engineering, active status with the State of Tennessee as a professional engineer and 4 years of demonstrated competency in developing and/or constructing transportation projects
Overview
SUMMARY
The Engineering Series at TDOT is responsible for planning, designing, constructing, preserving, operating, and maintaining the transportation systems within the State of Tennessee. The Engineering Series provides technical support and guidance to divisions within the department as well as assistance to consultants, contractors, suppliers, federal and state agency partners, local governments, transit agencies, aviation partners, utilities, and developers in the quality assurance, contracting, permitting, development and construction of transportation assets statewide.
The Transportation Engineer provides discipline specific technical expertise to multidisciplinary project teams as part of a matrix management structure, both in the Region and statewide. Positions within this classification resolve complex or unique technical challenges to ensure the successful completion of a project. The Transportation Engineer has a key role in ensuring that a project is completed within the agreed scope, schedule, and budget that is in alignment with the Department's Work Program. This classification requires a professional engineering license and is expected to sign and seal applicable documents for construction, increasing the efficiency in plans preparation activities for the department. This classification serves as a mentor and trains engineering staff. The Transportation Engineer is expected to take an active role in staying relevant and engaged as part of their specific discipline, adapting new technologies and best practices in driving TDOT's transportation projects forward. The Transportation Engineer will be expected to contribute to the project team by defining expectations for how the project team manages risk, communicates as a team, delivers quality products, and navigates changes throughout the life of the project.
Responsibilities
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Serve as a subject matter expert in applicable discipline specific project activities
2. Coordinate with the Project Manager and Project Team within the structure of a matrix organization regarding potential impacts to the scope, schedule, and/or budget
3. Perform applicable discipline specific activities as outlined in the Project Delivery Network (PDN)
4. Assist with multidisciplinary reviews for projects as part of the Quality Assurance process
5. Design, implement, and operate Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSM&O) strategies including the application of emerging technologies
6. Participate in Risk Management Assessments and implement risk mitigation strategies
7. Identify conflicts in proposed designs, make recommendations, and coordinate proactive solutions with other disciplines to ensure the needs of the project are met
8. Participate in the scope development, selection, and administration of consultant contracts on all phases of the project
9. Attend and represent the department in public meetings, appropriately addressing customer needs and concerns
10. Serve as a mentor in supporting career development and cultivating communication and leadership skills of others at TDOT
Competencies (KSA's)
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND COMPETENCIES (KSACs):
Knowledge of engineering principles within a specific discipline and how they relate to transportation projects
Knowledge of state and federal regulations/requirements for development and construction of transportation projects
Ability to identify and mitigate risk associated with transportation projects
Skilled in using critical thinking to problem solve and make informed decisions independently
Ability to learn technical concepts and apply those concepts to work
Ability to communicate effectively, with excellent verbal/written and public speaking skills, and to interact with others in a professional and courteous manner, including internal/external stakeholders, consultants, landowners, and governmental agencies
Ability to resolve conflicts, coach and motivate others, build high-performing teams, and create a culture of accountability, collaboration, and accomplishment
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Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Transportation Engineer Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Retail
- Technology & Software
- Construction & Real Estate
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in transportation engineer jobs across Tennessee.
- Active Professional Engineer license issued or recognized by the Tennessee State Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or closely related transportation engineering field
- Experience with roadway design software such as AutoCAD Civil 3D or MicroStation
- Familiarity with TDOT design standards, specifications, and project delivery processes
- Engineer in Training certification or active pursuit of PE licensure for junior candidates
- Strong technical writing skills for reports, traffic studies, and project documentation
Transportation Engineer Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a transportation engineer in Tennessee?
Becoming a transportation engineer in Tennessee requires a bachelor's degree in civil or transportation engineering followed by licensure through the Tennessee State Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners. Candidates first pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam to earn Engineer in Training status, then accumulate qualifying experience before sitting for the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam to become a licensed Professional Engineer, which most project-level roles in both public agencies and private consulting firms require.
How much do transportation engineers make in Tennessee?
Transportation engineers in Tennessee earn a median of about $95,910 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $65,090 for the lowest 10% to over $154,100 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire transportation engineers in Tennessee?
Employers hiring transportation engineers in Tennessee right now include OHM Advisors, HDR, and Ryder System, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Tennessee's mix of a large state DOT, active municipal governments, and regional consulting offices means openings appear across both public-sector agencies and private firms supporting infrastructure expansion.
Which Tennessee cities have the most transportation engineer jobs?
Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville account for the largest concentration of transportation engineer openings in Tennessee. Nashville's rapid population growth and ongoing highway and transit investment drive the highest volume, while Memphis benefits from its major freight and logistics infrastructure, and Knoxville draws demand from both state agency offices and university-linked engineering consulting activity.
Are there remote transportation engineer jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, but they're rare. About 29% of transportation engineer openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the largely field- and project-site-oriented nature of the work. The tasks most likely to allow remote or hybrid arrangements are traffic modeling, data analysis, and report preparation rather than construction inspection or field survey roles.
How can I get hired as a transportation engineer in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for junior engineer or engineering associate roles at the Tennessee Department of Transportation, which regularly hires new graduates into structured development programs across its regional offices. Large consulting firms with Tennessee offices, including civil infrastructure practices, also hire recent graduates into support roles. Earning your Engineer in Training credential before applying and building familiarity with TDOT design standards gives candidates a measurable edge over those without it.
Where can I find and apply to transportation engineer jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to transportation engineer jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to the state. Find the roles that fit your experience and specialty and apply directly to each one.
See All 19 Transportation Engineer Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Transportation Engineer Jobs