Salary : $66,830.40 - $103,500.80 Annually
Location : Ames - 50010 - Story County, IA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 27-00784
Agency: 645 Iowa Department of Transportation
Opening Date: 09/16/2026
Closing Date: 10/4/2026 11:59 PM Central
LinkedIn Tag: #LI-POST
Point of Contact:

Job Description
Come join the Iowa Department of Transportation's Soil Design Section as a Geotechnical Engineer Associate (Transportation Engineer Associate)! This entry-level role is ideal for emerging engineers to work with a licensed professional engineer on state highway and interstate projects. This position will provide opportunities to learn and grow in the geotechnical engineering field.
The Soils Design Section within the Design Bureau plays a vital role in evaluating and addressing geotechnical and geologic conditions that affect the construction, repair, and rehabilitation of transportation projects throughout Iowa. You'll be part of a collaborative, supportive team that values problem-solving, knowledge-sharing, and professional growth. Team members work closely with experienced engineers who prioritize mentorship and encourage curiosity, innovation, and continuous improvement.
As a Geotechnical Engineer Associate, you will:

• Perform geotechnical engineering work in the preparation of roadway and bridge plans.
• Assist with emergency response projects.
• Evaluate foundation support for bridges, culverts, and other drainage structures, and prepare recommendations consistent with applicable engineering standards.
• Inspect soils and foundation-related problems or unexpected discoveries encountered during construction, helping determine practical solutions that minimize delays.
• Assess and recommend effective methods to meet roadway design objectives related to subgrade treatments, and grading activities, supporting design teams across the Iowa DOT.

Along the way, you'll take on increasingly advanced technical assignments, work with diverse teams across the Iowa DOT, and gain the experience needed to progress to higher levels of responsibility. As part of a structured trainee-journey progression, you'll build the knowledge and experience needed to advance your career, including preparation for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and future eligibility for Professional Engineer licensure.

The Iowa Department of Transportation is proud to be a partner with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Through this partnership, DOT engineers are granted membership at a largely discounted price, as well as discounts for conferences and continuing education through the ASCE. We are excited to offer this benefit and to have you join this partnership with us! If you're interested in learning more about this benefit, please visit https://www.asce.org/membership.

Location: Ames, Iowa - Design Bureau/Soils Design Section. This position will be required to report in-person daily.

Shift Requirements: Days, Monday through Friday. Flexible work hours available.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to travel to remote locations for meetings and field reviews, and mobility to access sites in rugged terrain.
• Ability to lift and manipulate field equipment and other items weighing up to 50 pounds over uneven terrain.

• Valid Class C driver's license to drive a state or personal vehicle for traveling to complete job duties.
• Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is required within 24 months of hire.
• Licensure as a professional engineer in the State of Iowa is required within 6 years of hire for continued employment as a Transportation Engineer Associate.

As a State of Iowa employee, you will be eligible for the following benefits:

• Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance
• Insurance benefits start the first month following 30 days of employment, and costs can be reviewed
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Paid time off effective immediately - biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match
• Optional 401A plan with employer contributions.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial).

We encourage you to learn more about the State of Iowa Employee benefits and costs at the State of Iowa Employee Benefits Website!

You have the freedom to flourish in Iowa - Apply now!

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in chemical, civil, construction, environmental, materials, mechanics, structural, or transportation engineering or in engineering management.
2. Possession of a verification of graduation with major course work in chemical, civil, construction, environmental, materials, mechanics, structural, or transportation engineering or in engineering management.

For additional information, please click on this
Additional Qualification Requirements

Applicants hired with verification of graduation will be required to graduate with a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university within 10 months of hire.

Within a period of time after hire, as determined by the appointing authority, employees in this class may be required to obtain one or more of the following certificates, licenses, or endorsements:
• Certification as an Engineer in Training (EIT) by the Iowa Engineering & Land Surveying Examining Board
• Licensure as a professional engineer by the Iowa Engineering & Land Surveying Examining Board.
Work Authorization/Sponsorship

At this time, we're not considering applicants that need any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States. This includes, but IS NOT LIMITED TO: F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, J-1, etc. For additional information around work authorization needs please use the following links.

Nonimmigrant Workers and Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants
01

Do you understand that the answers to all of the following questions must be truthful, honest, and accurate to the best of your ability? Please read all questions and answers thoroughly and make sure you understand them completely. Ensure the answers to your questions match the information filled out on your application and the attachments you have uploaded. If the answers to your questions are inconsistent with your application information or uploaded attachments, you will be given zero points for the question. Knowingly misrepresenting the facts when submitting any information related to an application, examination, certification, appeal, or any other facet of the selection process will result in your disqualification from this application and future employment with the state of Iowa.

• Yes - I understand and agree.
• No

02

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
Have you filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. a7611 et seq?

• No - I have NOT filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. a7611 et seq
• Yes - I HAVE filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. a7611 et seq

03

Have you graduated or do you possess a Verification of Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with major course work in chemical, civil, construction, environmental, materials, mechanics, structural or transportation engineering, or in engineering management?

Note: Hires made with the Verification of Graduation will require graduation from the college or university within 10 months of hire.

• Yes
• No

Required Question