Bridge Inspection Highway Engineer
Date Posted: Dec 23, 2025
Requisition ID: 469990
Location:
Fort Wayne, IN, US, 46808
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
About the Indiana Department of Transportation:
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) provides a dynamic workplace that serves Indiana citizens, improves our state's quality of life, and enhances its economic opportunity. INDOT has a number of innovative programs and projects, including Public-Private Partnerships, Green Initiatives, and cutting-edge uses of materials and assets. As part of the State of Indiana, INDOT offers a competitive total compensation package, as well as outstanding work/life balance. Whether you are an established professional in the transportation field or just starting your career, INDOT has exciting and challenging opportunities for you.?
Role Overview:
This position conducts inspections of bridges and large culverts for the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to maintain public safety and confidence and to protect public investment. Bridge Inspectors must conform to the National Bridge Inspection Standards by inspecting each bridge at a minimum biennially, assigning ratings to bridge elements and reporting findings in accordance with the coding guidance developed by the Federal Highway Administration and INDOT. Bridge inspectors also inspect large culverts at a minimum of every six years, evaluating material deterioration and member distress and reporting findings in accordance with the Large Culvert inspection guidelines developed by INDOT. This role performs routine inspections for INDOT bridges and large culverts (4'-20' span), conducts fracture critical, in-depth, post-construction, and special inspections using access equipment, and remains on-call for emergency damage inspections such as collisions or high water. Responsibilities include reviewing bridge inspection reports, determining specialized inspection needs, preparing and submitting inspection documentation, reporting deficiencies for corrective action, recommending structures for rehabilitation or replacement, and coordinating repairs for damaged bridges. The position also serves as a Quality Control Officer by performing select office and field reviews, along with other duties as assigned. Preferred qualifications include an Indiana P.E. license or EIT, design or construction oversight experience, INDOT Bridge Inspection "Team Leader" certification, and willingness to train in rope-climbing techniques.
Qualifications & Skills
Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from an ABET-accredited school; working toward an Indiana P.E. if not already licensed
Understanding of how large culverts and bridge members function and how defects affect load-carrying capability
Broad knowledge of civil engineering principles, practices, and techniques
Ability to read and interpret technical documents including bridge and culvert plans, roadway plans, inspection reports, maintenance records, geotechnical and hydraulic data, and maps
Knowledge of bridge maintenance principles, practices, methods, and techniques
Ability to communicate verbally and in writing and follow instructions
Basic computer skills with the ability to become proficient in new programs and databases
Must have or be able to obtain a valid Indiana driver's license
Physical ability to stand, walk, crouch, climb, balance, kneel, reach, lift, sense fumes, hear, and talk
Vision requirements including peripheral, close, distant, depth perception, and focus adjustment
Ability to use tools such as a pen and clipboard, digital camera, chipping hammer, range pole, measuring tape, and handheld spotlight
Ability to remain calm during emergencies
Future Expected Training:
Training Requirements (to become and maintain Team Leader):
NHI course "Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges".
NHI course "Bridge Inspection Refresher Training" (required every 10 years).
Training Requirements (to become and maintain Fracture Critical Team Leader):
NHI course "Fracture Critical Inspection Techniques for Steel Bridges".
Purdue S-BRITE course "Inspecting Steel Bridges for Fatigue".
Other Training Requirements:
Bridge Inspection yearly workshops and other offered training classes.
Purdue S-BRITE training classes (various as offered).
Purdue Road School and CEPDS (for required CEUs to renew PE license).
Fall Protection Training (required to use UB trucks).
Confined Space Training (as needed).
Asbestos Inspector Training (as needed).
Preferred Experience/Qualifications includes, but not limited to:
Registered Professional Engineer in Indiana (position can be under-filled by an EIT).
Design or construction oversight experience
Willingness to train in rope climbing techniques.
Bridge Inspection "Team Leader" designation (external or internal transfer candidates).
Engineer Trainee:
A Professional Engineering license is not required for this position. Candidates who have an Engineering degree and a current Engineer in Training license (EIT), but do not hold a professional license, may be hired at a lower minimum salary and are eligible for promotional increases upon achieving milestones including years of experience and obtaining their Professional Engineering license.
Location :
This position is located in INDOT's Fort Wayne District.
Salary :
This position traditionally starts at an annual salary of $75,010.00. Salary for this position may be commensurate with education and job experience.
A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:
Planning & Project Management: Serve as a resource for proposal development and research process. Ensure milestones, deliverables, and implementation strategies, are established accurately. Assist supervisor in the development of strategic planning and resource utilization. ?You will participate in providing project reviews in accordance with the Agency's established performance standards. Ensure that all plans reflect the scope of services, existing field conditions, appropriate design standards, and sound engineering judgment.?
Program Management: Coordinate programs and plans for the division/department; interpret laws, regulations, and guidelines within area of assignment; review program plans for completeness, economic and technical feasibility.?
Design and Research: Assist in the development of programs, research development & technology plans (road maps) to improve product quality. Review research proposals and report to ensure their accuracy, effectiveness, and potential for implementation.?
Inspection: Organize, conduct, and review engineering investigations, field observations, which have a defined scope.
Technical & Data Analysis: Assist in analyzing engineering data and developing technical guidelines, technology initiatives, training course materials and other technical documents.
Testing: Assist in laboratory testing with "research grade equipment" related to materials/bridge/traffic research
Quality Control: Participate in Quality Control / Quality Assurance programs to ensure policy and best practices are actively deployed, analyze field data, and review plans for conformance to design criteria.
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or?responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.
This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.
What You'll Need for Success:
This person must have the following requirements to be considered for employment:
Must meet one of the following qualifications:
A registered Professional Engineers license in Indiana is required; exceptions may be considered for candidates holding an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) certification who are actively pursuing PE licensure in Indiana, provided they are applying for a lower-level classification.
Graduation in an approved engineering curriculum of four (4) years and 4 years of professional experience in engineering, civil engineering, transportation research, or a closely related field, with demonstrated ability to apply the required knowledge, skills, and competencies in a similar role.
Must have a valid Driver's License.
Extensive knowledge of and ability to apply civil engineering theories, principles, methods, and procedures to the engineering specialty.
Broad knowledge of planning, design, or construction of highway or transportation project features (such as roads, bridges, pavement, or traffic structures) in accordance with engineering design and construction standards, principles and methods.?
Extensive knowledge of and ability to apply federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and procedures governing incumbents filed of specialization.
Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply computer aided design and drafting functions to field of specialization.
Ability to prepare and review complex design plans and reports relating to the functional area of specialization.
Ability to perform the algebraic, trigonometric, and higher mathematical computations applied to design operations.
Extensive knowledge of and ability to apply the provisions of American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Design Specifications, AASHTO Standard Specifications and Tests, ASTM Standards.
Working knowledge of Indiana Design Manual (IDM), Indiana Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (IMUTCD), INDOT standard specifications and standard drawings.?
Knowledge of department systems not limited to Scheduling Project Management System (SPMS), Deighton Transportation Information Management System (dTIMS), ArcGIS, and Work Management System (WMS).
Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
May need additional requirements depending on the assigned specialty:
Bridge: Ability to use bridge design software such as CONSPAN, RC-Pier, GEOMATH, and Merlin Dash. Required to complete every 10 years, National Highway Institute course "Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges", "Fracture Critical Inspection Techniques for Steel Bridges", "Bridge Inspection Refresher Training ". Attend INDOT Bridge Inspection training classes, Annual Local Transportation Assistance Program (LTAP) County Bridge Conference at Purdue and Annual State Border bridge inspections - if in their District every year.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
This role may provide direct supervision for one or more staff members.
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
Education Reimbursement Program
Group life insurance
Referral Bonus program
Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Free Parking for most positions
Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
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