BRIDGE PERFORMANCE ENGINEERING SPECIALIST - 08182026-80090

Job Information

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time08/18/2026 12:00AM Central TimeClosing Date/Time09/07/2026 11:59PM Central TimeSalary (Monthly)$5,647.00 - $7,326.00Salary (Annually)$67,764.00 - $87,912.00Job TypeFull-Time City, State LocationNashville, TNDepartmentTransportation

LOCATION OF (2) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, DAVIDSON COUNTY

These positions are in the Structures Division - Bridge Performance - Bridge Rating Section.

For more information, visit the link below:

https://www.tdot.tn.gov/PublicDocuments/HR/Structures-Division-Bridge-Performance-Section-Bridge-Performance-Transportation-Engineering-Spe.pdf

This position has a starting salary of $6,732 monthly / $80,784 annually.

This position has a hybrid work schedule of three days in the office and two days working from home.

Qualifications

Transportation Engineering Specialist: Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management

Transportation Engineering Specialist 1: Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management and 1 Year of Demonstrated Competency in planning, developing and/or constructing projects

Transportation Engineering Specialist 2: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management and 2 Years of Demonstrated Competency in planning, developing and/or constructing projects OR Master's Degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management and 1 Year of Demonstrated Competency in planning, developing and/or constructing projects

Transportation Engineering Specialist 3: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management and 3 Years of Demonstrated Competency in planning, developing and/or constructing projects

OR

Master's Degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management and 2 Years of Demonstrated Competency in planning, developing and/or constructing projects

Overview

The Bridge Performance Engineering Specialist 3 and 4 assists in providing bridge performance technical expertise to the Structures Division. This position collaborates with Project Teams by helping to identify potential bridge performance challenges and implementing statewide acquired knowledge that focuses on ensuring quality deliverables, minimizing variability, and increasing the safety and performance of Tennessee's transportation system.

The Bridge Performance Engineering Specialist 3 and 4 ensures Department policies, technical guidance, and procedures are incorporated into bridge performance deliverables and assists in implementing the Quality Assurance Program.

This position will apply acquired knowledge to improve TDOT specifications, policies, and procedures that mitigate the Department's risk and increase performance as part of fulfilling TDOT's strategic vision. This position must effectively articulate technical engineering concepts through training, mentoring, and collaborating as part of a matrix organization.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a resource for Project Teams as part of a matrix organization by applying the Project Delivery Network (PDN) and TDOT's Quality Assurance Program, identifying potential capacity concerns in proposed designs and making recommendations for proactive solutions with other disciplines to ensure the project needs are met. Follow TDOT Quality Management processes for deliverables through all project phases supporting effective team Utilization Percentages.

• Integrate Quality Management Guidelines into all deliverables, including policies, procedures, and manuals with respect to bridge performance in order to reduce rating errors and re-work, right-of-way delays, construction delays, and contractor claims.

• Assist the Section by providing technical knowledge and support related to conventional or complex bridge performance matters in effectively and efficiently optimizing the Team's ability to successfully address project needs and unanticipated challenges.

• Perform and review in-house load ratings and evaluations on bridges, ranging in complexity and risk from simple to highly complex. Analyze complex structures such as Nonredundant Steel Tension Members (NSTM) bridges, frames, curved steel structures, etc., using analysis methods or modeling software to determine structural demand and capacity.

• Recommend load postings for bridges that require restricted capacities.

• Assist with structural reviews and structural analyses as necessary when critical deficiencies are identified.

• Assist in the determination of scopes for the Bridge Repair Work Program with the Bridge Repair Section. Conduct field reviews to determine and verify appropriate bridge inspection practices, load rating postings, repair materials and methodologies, and rehabilitation projects.

• Assist with data management for load rating results in applicable bridge rating management software.

• Routinely collaborate with Project, Region Bridge Teams, and Asset Management to identify and document knowledge on industry best practices to avoid past errors and ensure TDOT project successes.

• Assist with modifications to all applicable policies, procedures, standards, specifications, and special provisions.

• Maintain knowledge of applicable codes and any future changes relevant to the bridge discipline by participating in learning opportunities.

• Provide lessons learned on projects as improvements to leadership through formal and informal presentations.

• Collaborate on strategies used as best practices for statewide quality assurance needs. Continue to grow skills for design and modeling software tools for structures.

• Responsible for providing bridge load rating analysis and posting results according to the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation (MBE), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Specifications for the National Bridge Inventory (SNBI)/National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS), and TDOT policy, procedure, standards, specifications, and computerized program protocols. Collaborate with TDOT divisions, the FHWA, and other external stakeholders.

• Use critical thinking and engineering judgment to problem solve and make well-informed decisions that increase the safety, performance, sustainability, and efficient delivery of TDOT's transportation system.

• Assist in ensuring Bridge Performance deliverables are accurate, consistent, predictable, and repeatable to provide consistently high levels of achievement, mitigation of risk, and an established track record of success. Assist the Structures Section as needed on various reviews and tasks within the team.

• Coordinate with the Bridge Performance Team regarding rating analysis outputs, load rating postings and repair needs.

• Provide input with the development of a Consultant Acquisition Plan (CAP) for bridge performance services by serving on selection committees for professional engineering services as part of the Brooks Act, including assisting with Request For Proposal (RFP) development, attending project-specific marketing meetings, assisting with determining scoring criteria, assisting with project information sessions, when applicable, serving as a scorer as part of the consultant acquisition process, negotiating contracts, attending de-briefs for consultants where usable feedback must be provided, and monitoring contract compliance.

• Participate in the review of local program contracts and bid documents to ensure TDOT specifications, policies, and procedures are included to provide concurrence on bid packages.

• Assist in the preparation of project proposals and bid files.

• Assist in managing the handling and coordination of Bid Authorization Forms and Bid Conditioning Letters as appropriate.

• Support the execution final contracts through TDOT's awards process.

• Provide exceptional customer service to both internal and external customers, including mentoring and technical guidance related to bridge performance, coordinating with other disciplines as part of a matrix organization, exercising effective listening skills, providing prompt responses, maintaining complete and accurate documentation, and communicating effectively.

Additional Job Duties for the TDOT Transportation Engineering Specialist 4 include:

• Coordinate with the TDOT Technical Training Director and assist in the development and presentation of training that addresses the bridge and structures performance training program, oversight of local programs, acquired knowledge, risk management, TDOT performance metrics, governing rules and processes, reporting procedures, and emerging technologies related to transportation for the purpose of improving team performance, creating a stronger understanding of the transportation industry, inspiring new ideas, and developing skills.

• Participate in the development, implementation, and maintenance of all State Specifications, Special Provisions, Circular Letters, and applicable standard guidance. Assist with shop drawing reviews.

• Provide innovative recommendations and solutions utilizing technology such as drones and 3D modeling for Bridge Performance activities.

Competencies (KSA's)

The required KSACs for Engineering Specialist, I, II, and III include:

• Knowledge of engineering principles, potentially within a specific discipline as they relate to transportation projects
• Knowledgeable in the use of computers and applicable programs, applications, and systems
• Skilled in basic technical writing
• Ability to communicate effectively, while interacting with internal and external stakeholders in a professional and courteous manner
• Ability to manage time to ensure assignments are completed
• Ability to use critical thinking to problem solve and make informed decisions
• Ability to learn technical concepts and apply those concepts to work
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to conduct work with a high degree of accuracy

Additional KSACs for Engineering Specialist II and III include:

• Skilled in strong technical writing
• Ability to work within a project team
• Ability to manage time and prioritize work items to ensure project assignments are completed

Additional KSACs for Engineering Specialist III include:

• Ability to resolve conflicts, coach, and mentor others, and support a culture of accountability, collaboration, and accomplishment
• Ability to coordinate with the Project Manager and Project Team to proactively identify and resolve complex, multidisciplinary issues which may impact project scope, schedule, and/or budget