Assistant/Associate Transportation Engineer - Toll Systems & Traffic Engineering

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is seeking qualified candidates for the position Assistant/Associate Engineer to join the Toll Systems and Traffic Engineering Department within Engineering and Program Delivery. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a transformative initiative shaping the future of mobility in Santa Clara County. As an Assistant or Associate Transportation Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in advancing cutting-edge transportation infrastructure projects with lasting regional impact.

The Toll Systems and Traffic Engineering Department is responsible for day-to-day operations, management and maintenance of VTA’s Silicon Valley Express Lanes Program.  The Department is also responsible for Transportation Technology (also known as Intelligent Transportation Systems), traffic engineering and traffic operations analysis for VTA. A key part of the Department’s Transportation Technology effort is to serve as the lead on Traffic Operations System (TOS) and ramp metering coordination with Caltrans.  The traffic engineering and traffic operations functions include leading VTA’s traffic and transportation engineering efforts with member agencies as part of VTA’s Congestion Management Program which includes running the Intelligent Transportation Systems Working Group and the Systems Operations and Management Working Group (which reports to the VTA Technical Advisory Committee).

Assistant Transportation Engineer
Definition
Under general supervision, an Assistant Transportation Engineer performs professional engineering duties in connection with the location, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of transportation systems and related projects.

Distinguishing Characteristics
This is the second professional transportation engineering level. Incumbents perform moderately complex assignments and exercise some latitude for independent judgment. Incumbents at this level may be assigned specific projects with minimal supervision. Additionally, incumbents may direct the work of lower level engineers, technicians, and others who assist in specific project assignments. Incumbents may occasionally lead smaller, short-term projects or studies of limited scope.

This class is distinguished from the entry level class of Junior Transportation Engineer in that incumbents of the latter class perform entry level professional engineering duties under close supervision.

Associate Transportation Engineer
Definition
Under direction, the Associate Transportation Engineer supervises and performs responsible professional, field and office engineering work in connection with the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of transportation systems and projects; and to participate in a variety of services and special studies requiring the application of professional knowledge and skills.

Distinguishing Characteristics
This is the journey-level class in the professional transportation engineer series. Associate Transportation Engineers typically perform more difficult or complex engineering work, using independent judgment, and typically serve as the project lead, providing lead supervision to lower level professional and technical staff on a project basis.

The Associate Transportation Engineer is distinguished from the next higher level of Senior Transportation Engineer in that the latter class has full supervisory responsibility over staff and consultants of a major unit or program.

In addition to the duties below, the Assistant/Associate Engineer will have the opportunity to: 

• Manages contractors and/or solution providers to deploy transit signal priority (TSP) systems. This includes assigning and tracking work activities and schedules, as well as delegating tasks.
• Coordinates with local agency staff in charge of traffic signal systems in the deployment of TSP systems, including during the operations and maintenance phase to address identified operational issues and required maintenance.
• Participates in the development and selection process for requests for proposals (RFPs) for new or expansion of TSP systems, including request for bids (RFB) for constructing supporting elements such as the installation of new traffic signal controller cabinets.
• Participates in the development of system engineering management plan (SEMP) for TSP systems, including for work tasks in the deployment phase. During the deployment, participates in ensuring system requirements and procedures for the verification plan meet the highest quality standards.
• Provide guidance in the development of project deliverables, such as scopes of work, technical approach, schedule, civil design collaboration, and deployment of TSP systems.
• Assist in the inspection of construction elements (e.g. traffic signal controller cabinet installations), integration tests, field tests, and performance evaluation for an expansion of an existing or a new TSP system.
• Prepare Board memos and presentations, as well as regular monitoring reports.

Salary
This position may be filled at different levels depending on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and business needs. Title and compensation will be commensurate with the selected candidate’s background.

• Assistant Transportation Engineer: $58.30 - $70.90 Hourly / $4,664.08 - $5,671.68 Bi-weekly / $10,105.50 - $12,288.64 Monthly / $121,266.02 - $147,463.72 Yearly
• Associate Transportation Engineer: $67.85 - $82.44 Hourly / $5,427.84 - $6,595.28 Bi-weekly / $11,760.33 - $14,289.78 Monthly / $141,123.92 - $171,477.40 Yearly

This classification is eligible for a 4% professional incentive pay for maintaining a valid Professional Engineer (PE) license issued by the State of California. The incentive will end if the incumbent leaves the classification or fails to maintain the required license.

Essential Job Functions:

Assistant Transportation Engineer
Typical Tasks:

• Performs drafting, engineering computations, research report writing, direction of field operations involved in the gathering and compiling of data for the planning, design, and construction of transportation systems and projects;
• Performs technical reviews of design plans and contracts specifications, engineering cost estimates, construction schedules and engineering studies of transportation systems and projects;
• Assists in the planning for and design of new, or improvements to, fixed guideways, transit, highway, bicycle, airport and other facilities by preparing plans, profiles, cross sections, making quantity estimates, computing stresses and strains and performing other professional engineering tasks;
• Prepares and review maps, right of way deeds and legal descriptions;
• Inspects the construction of projects;
• Takes field tests, and gather samples for laboratory tests of materials;
• Writes engineering specification;
• Makes cost and quantity estimates;
• Reviews and approves DBE work progress, contractor's payroll, contract compliance reports and extra work reports;
• Composes and reviews Request for Proposal (RFP), or similar documents, for vendor selection;
• Utilizes AutoCAD and other appropriate software;
• Performs related work as required.

Associate Transportation Engineer
Typical Tasks:

• Performs professional engineering activities related to planning, design, construction maintenance and operation of transportation facilities including fixed guideways, transit, highway, bicycle, airport and other facilities;
• Reviews technical reports on transportation systems design submittals, reviews design submittals from contractors for contract compliance and recommends changes to existing planning and design criteria;
• Reviews documents prepared by subordinates, consultants, and other parties;
• Determines route alignments;
• Makes analyses to determine best design;
• Develops routes and schedules for transit system facilities;
• Supervises the design and construction of transportation system facilities;
• Directs other engineering personnel in preparing final plans and maps;
• Supervises the preparation of detailed drawing and specifications;
• Writes reports and makes estimates of a specialized nature in connection with various transportation projects;
• Makes preliminary designs and estimates for determining budgetary needs for construction and maintenance activities;
• Performs related work as required.

When assigned as a project manager, subject to general review:

• Responsible for technical details of an entire project, such as planning, design, and contract documents, typically involving project coordination and administration;
• Resolves technical problems concerning the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of transportation facilities;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Employment Standards

• Assistant Transportation Engineer 
  • Graduation from an accredited college or university with major work in engineering or possession of a valid Engineer-In-Training certificate and two years professional engineering experience on transportation systems or projects.
• Associate Transportation Engineer
  • Development of the required skills, knowledge and abilities is typically obtained through training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major work in engineering, plus four years of increasingly responsible experience in the performance of professional engineering work in design, estimating, construction, and contract administration, with a strong emphasis in design and construction of transportation systems and projects.

Classification Bargaining Unit: TAEA

Recruitment Timeline
Application Deadline: July 21, 2025 at 11:59pm
Tentative Interview: Week of August 18, 2025