Our client is seeking an experienced Highway Department Manager to lead and grow their civil engineering practice in New Jersey.

ABOUT THE FIRM

Our client is an established civil engineering firm with a strong regional presence and a collaborative, accessible leadership culture. They specialize in transportation and highway projects throughout New Jersey and the surrounding region, maintaining long-standing relationships with state agencies and municipal clients.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This leadership position offers the chance to shape and expand a highway engineering practice while working on high-impact transportation infrastructure projects. You'll lead project execution, mentor technical staff, and drive business development in a firm that values both technical excellence and employee development.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

- Lead and grow the Highway (Civil) Department as Department Manager

- Drive project execution across the full project lifecycle from concept through completion

- Support and mentor Project Managers on transportation and highway projects

- Collaborate with clients, regulatory agencies, and project teams to ensure seamless delivery

- Work closely with regional and office leadership on project approach, scope, cost, and schedule

- Identify opportunities for innovative design solutions and strategic partnerships

- Attend meetings with clients, NJDOT, NJTA, and other stakeholders to establish needs and resolve design/permitting issues

- Apply strong engineering judgment while maintaining quality and financial performance standards

- Mentor and train design staff in technical skills and NJDOT/NJTA processes

- Lead proposal development and client presentations

WHAT YOU BRING

Required:

- 20+ years of experience in Highway Design

- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering (Master's degree may substitute for 2 years of experience)

- Professional Engineer (P.E.) license in New Jersey

- In-depth knowledge of NJDOT and NJTA processes and procedures

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills

- Strong proposal writing and presentation abilities

- Proven problem-solving and decision-making skills

- Passion for mentoring and developing engineering talent

- Track record of delivering quality projects on schedule and within budget

Preferred:

- New York State P.E. license

WHAT THEY OFFER

Culture & Environment:

- Family-oriented atmosphere with accessible, communicative upper management

- Collaborative team environment focused on employee development

- Clear pathways for professional growth and leadership

Compensation & Benefits:

- Competitive salary commensurate with experience

- Year-end performance and profit-based bonuses

- Profit sharing program

Health & Wellness:

- Comprehensive medical and prescription coverage (company contributes substantial portion of premium)

- Vision benefits included in medical plan

- Dental coverage (large portion covered by company)

- Company-paid Term Life Insurance

- Company-paid Long Term Disability Insurance

Retirement:

- 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match

Time Off:

- Generous paid time off including major holidays, vacation, and sick time

Professional Development:

- Reimbursement for work-related training, licenses, and certifications

- Company-paid assistance for professional associations, workshops, and seminars

- Incentives for professional exam passage (P.E., etc.)

- Support for continuing education and industry engagement

- Travel expense reimbursement when necessary

LOCATION

Princeton, NJ (Full-Time, In-Office)

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

You're an experienced highway engineer who's ready to lead a department and make a lasting impact. You have deep technical expertise in transportation design, strong relationships with NJDOT/NJTA, and a genuine interest in developing the next generation of engineers. You balance technical excellence with business acumen, and you thrive in a collaborative environment where leadership is accessible and communication flows freely.