Director of Engineering - Bridge

Engineering Director - Practice Lead, P.E. Bridge Group / OH 

Bridge Engineering / Transportation Structures | Ohio  |  Remote or Hybrid 

Lead and grow GAI Consultants’ Bridge Engineering Group within our Ohio Transportation Business Unit. In this practice leadership role, you will provide management and technical leadership on highway bridges, retaining walls, box culverts, and other transportation structures designed to AASHTO and ODOT requirements, while driving client interaction and business development strategy for specific project opportunities. 

We are seeking a licensed Professional Engineer with 14+ years of bridge design, analysis, and load rating experience to serve as technical lead for a growing contract backlog with ODOT, OTIC, and local governments, with additional involvement in regional projects across Indiana, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. 

At GAI you get direct access to leadership, a defined development program, and the stability of a firm that has been solving infrastructure challenges since 1958, with an expanding Ohio presence and the chance to build a practice faster than you might at a larger national firm. 

ODOT & OTIC BACKLOG	PRACTICE LEADERSHIP	SIGN-ON BONUS

What You Will Do 

• Provide management and technical leadership to GAI’s Ohio bridge projects and the growing Bridge Engineering Group.

• Lead the design and preparation of plans, calculations, and specifications for transportation structures, including highway bridges, retaining walls, box culverts, and other miscellaneous structures per AASHTO and ODOT requirements.

• Lead the analysis and load rating for existing structures and recommend improvement and strengthening strategies through knowledge and application of appropriate specifications, standards, and design criteria.

• Lead client interaction and business development strategy for specific project opportunities with ODOT, OTIC, and local governments.

• Collaborate with professionals from various departments and disciplines and discuss requirements with clients to execute projects.

• Perform work as part of a team or as a task/project manager, in accordance with project budget and schedule limitations under moderate supervision.

• Prepare engineering cost estimates, scope of work documents, and proposals, and assist other Project/Task Managers with similar duties.

• Assign tasks to technical and non-technical staff and coordinate detailed aspects of engineering work.

• Monitor and enforce compliance with quality control standards and client requirements.

• Mentor direct reports and other engineers and lead project meetings representing the organization on broad aspects of engineering assignments.

• Participate in occasional site visits at construction sites and remote outdoor work environments, with occasional travel to client meetings and possible overnight stays.

Required Qualifications 

• B.S. or M.S. in Engineering.

• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license, with reciprocity in multiple states.

• 20+ years of bridge and transportation structures experience.

• Broad knowledge of principles and practices in bridge engineering, with the ability to independently evaluate, select, and adapt standard techniques, procedures, and criteria.

• Experience leading tasks and projects of moderately complex scope and developing plans, specifications, and other project documents.

• Ability to apply engineering economics, probability, and statistics to analyze risk in complex engineering problems.

• Advanced oral and written communication skills, including interpretation of complex technical and contractual language.

• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Experience 

• Demonstrated ODOT project delivery, including OTIC and local government bridge programs.

• Regional project experience in Indiana, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

• Business development and client management within the Ohio Transportation Market.

Why This Role Stands Out 

• A growing backlog. Expanding contract work with ODOT, OTIC, and local governments as GAI grows its Ohio presence.

• Real technical authority. You set the technical direction for bridge design, analysis, and load rating across the practice.

• A team to build. Mentor engineers and shape the growth of GAI’s Ohio Bridge Engineering Group.

• Multi-state reach. Involvement with regional projects in Indiana, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

 

Location, Travel, and Relocation 

Remote and/or hybrid (home or office) schedules are viable options. Office location: State of Ohio. Occasional travel to client meetings and site visits, with possible overnight stays and occasional work in construction and remote outdoor environments. Must be authorized to work in the United States, without sponsorship. 

Compensation 

Salary range: $180,000 to $210,000 per year, plus a sign-on bonus. This range is a good faith estimate at the time of posting. Actual compensation will depend on factors such as education, licensure, qualifications, relevant experience, and current skills. 

Benefits 

Health and Wellness	Medical, dental, and vision coverage; company-paid life insurance; short- and long-term disability; Employee Assistance Program
Time and Flexibility	Remote and/or hybrid schedule options; generous paid time off; seven paid holidays plus one floating holiday; paid parental and adoption leave
Financial and Growth	401(k) with company match; sign-on bonus; performance and development bonuses; relocation assistance; tuition reimbursement; licensing and certification support

 

Ready to Lead Ohio’s Bridge Practice? 

Apply in under five minutes. We review every application and respond within 24 hours.