Title: Engineer Materials

State Role Title: Architect Engineer I

Hiring Range: $72,738 - $118,200

Pay Band: 5

Agency: VA Dept of Transportation

Location: Dept of Transportation

Agency Website: www.virginiadot.org/jobs

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

What drives you? Whether it's knowing the work you do makes a difference, having a great work/life balance, working on exciting and challenging projects, leading innovation, and championing change or simply working with a great group of people who are committed to professionalism. At the Virginia Department of Transportation, we have something for you.

Our Materials Division is seeking an Engineer Materials to join our Structures team. VDOT’s Asphalt program had made large advances in new technology and test procedures and continues to improve pavement quality through material selection.

The ideal candidate will have working knowledge and experience with materials testing and materials inspection that includes, structural steel fabrication, prestressed concrete fabrication, high strength bolting, coatings inspection, nondestructive testing, welding fabrication, among others. This position will entail conducting material reviews, material inspections, management and oversight of third-party inspection contracts, fabrication process and plant auditing, specification development, and database management to name a few. As a materials engineer in the Structures Section, you will be responsible for coordinating and communicating with both internal and external parties, providing subject matter expertise to field and project staff, and providing technical support and training as required for program implementation. As structural material and component fabrication takes place in all parts of the United States, the candidate must be willing to travel when necessary for inspection and audit responsibilities.

The selected candidate will be responsible for
• Teamwork and Customer Service: Demonstrates customer service and work habits that reflect the VDOT Values and coordinates the flow of information both orally and in writing.
• Analysis and Technical Reporting: Analyze and interpret engineering data and information. Prepare complete, clear and concise reports and recommendations.
• Engineering Projects: Perform assigned activities to meet engineering project needs. Provide accurate and complete oral and written reports to design units for the assigned program area or areas.
• Manage Assigned Activities: Plan, schedule and coordinate engineering program activities such that deliverables are met within the established scope and timeline.
• Provide Engineering Support: Provide engineering support to various sections to meet on-time and on-budget delivery of construction and maintenance projects. Review consultant reports and recommendations for completeness and accuracy. Perform plan and contract document reviews and comment accordingly to ensure engineering aspects are accurately addressed. Serve as a subject matter expert and technical resource to field staff. Provide recommendations to projects of field problems within established customer deadline. Actively participate in project development meetings. Provide recommendations to field staff related to technical issues that arise during construction. Respond to requests for assistance. Actively participate in Value Engineering studies.
• Special Assignments: Manage special program initiatives and projects as assigned. Serve and represent VDOT or assigned program area on various committees and work groups.
• Engineering Process Management: Use established VDOT policies and procedures in the development and delivery of engineering projects. Engineering projects are completed in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
• Conduct Special Investigations: Perform special investigations for the assigned Materials Division program area or areas. Provide remedial recommendations in written reports. Conduct special investigations and provide written recommendations on repair strategies and economic impact.
• Communication: Establish an effective line of communication between VDOT, contractors, government agencies and the public. Investigate issues and resolve complaints.
• Project Engineering: Assist in the management of projects and tasks including development of and managing the scope, schedule, budget, deliverables, change management, quality, and status reports. Complete multiple concurrent tasks and assignments, and report updates on their status.
• Contract Management: Assist with the responsibilities of managing and monitoring third party QA inspection contracts.
• Plan and Specification Review: Read and interpret working plans, specification standards, and material specification requirements.
• Materials Inspection and Acceptance: Ability and knowledge of QA inspection principles and practices as it pertains to material and product fabrication, material testing, quality control, and product specification conformance.
• Inspection Travel: Ability to schedule and manage travel associated with fabricated product inspection, fabrication facility audits, and general project assistance.

Minimum Qualifications

• Valid driver's license.
• Skill in the use of computers and software applications.
• Ability to communicate and provide technical guidance and instruction to others.
• Ability to read and understand plan and contract documents.
• Experience applying materials principles and practices related to highway design, construction, and maintenance.
• Experience in engineering principles and practices relating to design.

Additional Considerations

• A combination of training, experience, or education in Civil Engineering, or related field desired.
• Professional engineering experience.
• Professional Engineering License.
• AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI).
• Prestressed Concrete Institute PCI Level II or III Technician Certification.
• Knowledge, experience, or certification in Ultrasonic Testing, Magnetic Particle Testing, or

• Radiography associated with steel welding fabrication.
• Previous experience with materials or construction QC/QA inspection and practices.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

This position requires a fingerprint based Criminal History Background Check, DMV Record Check and Work History Verification with references.

VDOT is an emergency operation agency. Positions physically working within Central Office locations may be designated upon request and coordination among the respective District Engineer or Administrator and Chief. Assignments are updated annually. Not all designated employees are provided an emergency operations assignment.

Once onboarded, this position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration of telework shall be approved as outlined in the Commonwealth telework policy.

We are a “Virginia Values Veterans” (V3) official certified company and state agency that provides hiring preference to Veterans and Members of the Virginia National Guard in support of Executive Order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Virginia National Guard Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application.

VDOT utilizes a market-based pay program, which has been approved by DHRM. Therefore, advertised rates of pay may or may not align with the Commonwealth pay bands.

Contact Information

Name: Shiron Haskins

Email: [email protected]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.