Transportation Project Engineer

The City of Wilmington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position Description

The City of Wilmington is seeking a highly skilled Transportation Project Engineer to oversee the planning, design, and construction of municipal transportation infrastructure. This role combines technical expertise, project management, and public service, directly shaping the safety, sustainability, and efficiency of our city’s streets, sidewalks, and mobility networks.

As part of Wilmington’s Vision Zero initiative, this position plays a vital role in designing and delivering infrastructure projects that reduce crashes, prevent serious injuries, and improve safety for all roadway users.

As a Transportation Project Engineer, you’ll:

• Lead transportation infrastructure projects with a Vision Zero focus — oversee planning, design, and construction from concept to completion, ensuring compliance with safety, accessibility, and equity standards.
• Integrate safety into every project — apply Vision Zero principles to engineering designs, traffic calming, and multimodal infrastructure to protect people walking, biking, taking transit, and driving.
• Provide professional expertise and analysis — support City projects, boards, committees, municipal programs, public relations initiatives, grant applications, and media inquiries.
• Engage with stakeholders — conduct site visits and inspections, and meet with developers, consulting engineers, contractors, citizens, stakeholder groups, and government officials.
• Prepare and present information to decision-makers — draft legislative submittals for City Council and provide testimony during public meetings.
• Develop technical standards — author specifications, cost estimates, and construction details for municipal infrastructure projects, embedding Vision Zero safety principles.
• Stay current and compliant — monitor changes in regulations, construction methods, and industry standards through continuing education and professional development.
• Certify plans and manage contracts — prepare, approve, and certify plans and specifications; oversee land surveyors, consultants, property acquisition specialists, and technicians.
• Deliver results on time and on budget — manage scope, schedule, and budget for municipal projects; lead project meetings; negotiate scopes, fees, contract amendments, and change orders.
• Evaluate and improve projects — conduct feasibility studies and value engineering analyses to weigh competing priorities like lifecycle costs, public relations, maintenance, and regulations while prioritizing safety outcomes.
• Support emergency operations — contribute technical expertise to municipal emergency management operations as needed.

View the detailed job description here.

Note: We offer a competitive sign-on bonus. Flexible or alternative work arrangements may be available depending on the City’s operational needs.

Qualifications
Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related engineering field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible related engineering experience.

Certification & Other Requirements

• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE)
• Valid Class C Driver’s License.
• Strong knowledge of civil engineering principles, computations, regulations, technical writing, and relevant software.
• Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws, codes, standards, and regulations.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Exerting up to 10 lbs. occasionally or negligible weights frequently; sitting most of the time.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
This position generally requires work in an office setting. This position is considered essential and may be required to work before, during, or after inclement weather or other emergencies.

Our Core Values:

INCLUSION | COLLABORATION | CREATIVITY | ACCOUNTABILITY

Our Mission Statement: Through forward-thinking policies and responsible stewardship, we are creating a better city every day with excellent core services and quality of life for all.

What we offer:

The City of Wilmington believes that employees are one of our most important resources. We offer an excellent salary and competitive benefits package to serve the needs of our employees and their families. Our benefits package includes:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance + many other insurance options
• Excellent retirement benefits, including a city provided 4.5% contribution each pay period into a 401(k) account and automatic enrollment into the North Carolina Local Government Employees’ Retirement System
• Employer-paid health & wellness clinic
• Free on-site city gym access
• Paid sick and vacation leave + 13 paid holidays per year
• 6-weeks paid parental leave
• Paid volunteer & blood donation leave to give back to our community
• Flex schedule and telework availability, depending on your position
• Professional development trainings & leadership initiatives
• Tuition assistance benefits

Applicant Status Updates: After the closing date for this position, applications will be screened by Human Resources. Applicants who meet the minimum and/or preferred qualifications will be referred over to the hiring department. All updates regarding an application can be viewed through your applicant portal.