---
title: 'Transportation Design Manager at Valdes Architecture & Engineering'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/transportation-design-manager-valdes-architecture-engineering-lombard-tw8sm95gh8pk'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-13'
---

# Transportation Design Manager at Valdes Architecture & Engineering

- **Company:** Valdes Architecture & Engineering
- **Location:** Lombard, IL
- **Compensation:** $100k–$175k
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-06-24
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-13
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/valdeseng/7180ecd7-2d66-4b21-aaac-afbe323ca814

## Job description

Valdes Architecture & Engineering is seeking a Transportation Design Manager to lead and support transportation infrastructure projects throughout the Midwest. This role is ideal for an experienced transportation engineer who is passionate about delivering roadway and highway improvements while mentoring technical staff and collaborating with clients, agencies, and multidisciplinary project teams. The Transportation Design Manager will be responsible for managing transportation design projects from planning through final design, ensuring quality deliverables, maintaining client relationships, and supporting the continued growth of our transportation practice.

## Responsibilities

- Manage and oversee transportation engineering projects, including roadway, highway, tollway, drainage, and related infrastructure improvements
- Lead project teams through all phases of design and delivery, from concept development through final plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E)
- Prepare and review engineering calculations, technical reports, construction plans, and project specifications
- Coordinate with internal disciplines, including civil, structural, electrical, and environmental teams
- Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, agencies, and stakeholders throughout project execution
- Ensure projects are completed on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with applicable standards and regulations
- Mentor and develop junior engineers and designers while promoting technical excellence and quality control
- Support proposal development, project pursuits, and business development initiatives
- Participate in project planning, resource allocation, and workload forecasting
- Maintain a strong understanding of industry standards, agency requirements, and transportation design best practices
- Develop and expand client relationships to identify new business opportunities, support proposal and pursuit efforts, and contribute to the continued growth of Valdes' transportation engineering practice

## Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited university (required)
- Minimum of 7 years of transportation engineering and design experience
- Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain PE licensure within one year of hire
- Experience designing transportation infrastructure projects including roadways, highways, tollways, drainage systems, and grading & site development
- Proficiency with transportation design software such as MicroStation, OpenRoads Designer, Civil 3D, or similar platforms
- Strong understanding of transportation engineering principles, design standards, and project delivery processes
- Excellent communication, leadership, and client relationship management skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Experience working on projects for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and/or Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT).
- Previous experience leading project teams and mentoring engineering staff
- Familiarity with Midwest transportation agency standards, permitting requirements, and funding programs
- Experience supporting project pursuits, client development, and transportation practice growth
- Must possess exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills
- Must be able to work in the US without sponsorship now or in the future

## What You'll Bring

- Strong technical expertise in transportation design and project delivery
- A collaborative leadership style with the ability to guide and develop team members
- A commitment to quality, innovation, and client service
- The ability to build lasting relationships with clients, agency representatives, and project stakeholders

Why Join Valdes?

- Opportunity to help grow and shape a transportation practice within an established multidisciplinary firm
- Exposure to diverse transportation and infrastructure projects
- Collaborative culture with opportunities for career advancement and leadership development
- Competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and flexible work arrangements

Join Valdes Architecture & Engineering and help deliver the transportation infrastructure that keeps communities connected and moving forward.

## About Valdes Architecture & Engineering

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Valdes Architecture & Engineering is a multidisciplinary engineering, architecture, and project management firm delivering capital project solutions primarily for industrial and facility markets.
- **Entity Type**: Private
- **Headquarters**: Lombard, Illinois, United States
- **Founded**: 1992
- **Founders**: Robert (Bob) Valdes, PE, SE

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Engineering & Architecture, Project Management, Industrial Construction
- **Target customers**: B2B; clients in oil & gas, chemicals, utilities, life sciences, manufacturing, science & technology, government, higher education, and agribusiness.
- **Mission or purpose statement**: To deliver timely, cost-effective solutions for capital projects of any size, complexity, or location through a commitment to safety, quality, and client satisfaction [valdeseng.com].

## Products & Services
Valdes offers a full suite of in-house services covering the lifecycle of capital projects:
- **Architecture**: Building design and planning.
- **Civil Engineering**: Site development and infrastructure.
- **Structural Engineering**: Analysis and design of structural systems.
- **Mechanical & Electrical Engineering**: HVAC, plumbing, power, and lighting systems.
- **Process Engineering**: Design for chemical, refining, and manufacturing processes.
- **Instrumentation & Controls**: Automation and control system design.
- **Piping & Plant Layout**: 3D modeling and piping stress analysis.
- **Laser Scanning & Surveying**: Reality capture for existing conditions.
- **Project Management**: Full project controls, cost estimating, procurement, and construction management.
- **Validity & Integration**: Commissioning and system integration.
- **Plant Services & Support**: Ongoing operational support and staffing services.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (Private company)
- **Key Metric**: ~200 employees; completed over 7,300 projects across the United States [valdeseng.com].
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not publicly disclosed. Privately held and managed by founder and leadership.
- **Growth Signals**:
    - Grew from a single-person civil/structural firm in 1992 to a 200-person multidisciplinary team.
    - Maintains long-term relationships with clients (still serves its very first client) [valdeseng.com].
    - Holds multiple professional licenses (Architecture, Land Surveying, Professional Engineering, Structural Engineering).
    - Certified as a Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) by the NMSDC, Illinois CMS, City of Chicago, and California PUC.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Minority-Owned Certification**: Certified MBE status is a differentiator for government and large corporate clients with diversity spend requirements.
- **Deep Industry Expertise**: 30+ years of focused work in complex, high-stakes sectors like refining, chemicals, and utilities.
- **Full U.S.-Based Execution**: All work is performed in the United States, ensuring quality control and compliance with domestic standards [valdeseng.com].
- **Integrated Multidisciplinary Model**: Offers architecture, engineering, and project management under one roof, reducing handoff friction for clients.

## Strategic Focus
- **Expand Service Lines**: Has continuously added capabilities (e.g., process engineering, laser scanning, staffing services) to serve a broader range of client needs.
- **Deepen Client Partnerships**: Emphasis on repeat business and long-term relationships, rather than transactional project work.
- **Geographic Expansion**: Maintains offices in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, with an increasing ability to support projects across the U.S.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture & Work Environment**: Emphasizes a collaborative, team-based atmosphere rooted in safety and quality. The company highlights a high number of long-term employees as a sign of a positive culture [valdeseng.com].
- **Flexibility**: Offers flexible schedules including a **9×4 weekly schedule option** and **remote work flexibility** [valdeseng.com].
- **Benefits Package**: Competitive salaries, 401(K) with company match, company-paid life/AD&D/STD/LTD insurance, PTO, and paid holidays (including Veterans Day for veterans).
- **Professional Development**: Tuition reimbursement, reimbursement for annual license fees, in-house and external training, access to a Learning Management System (LMS), and a mentorship program.
- **Diversity & Inclusion**: A certified Minority-Owned Business that states a commitment to diversity of thought and perspectives [valdeseng.com].
- **Recognition**: Employee of the Year award, anniversary milestone celebrations, and appreciation awards.
- **Work Locations**: On-site roles are available in Lombard, IL; Griffith, IN; and Kenosha, WI. Some hybrid and remote positions are available for specific roles [lever.co].

## Sources
1. [valdeseng.com](https://valdeseng.com/)
2. [valdeseng.com - Who We Are](https://valdeseng.com/who-we-are/)
3. [valdeseng.com - Careers](https://valdeseng.com/careers/)
4. [valdeseng.com - Benefits](https://valdeseng.com/benefits/)
5. [jobs.lever.co/valdeseng](https://jobs.lever.co/valdeseng)

## Other roles at Valdes Architecture & Engineering

- [Corrosion Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/corrosion-engineer-valdes-architecture-engineering-kokomo-sav4fpaw10wg) — Kokomo, IN
- [Structural Designer](https://feeny.ai/job/structural-designer-valdes-architecture-engineering-lombard-rkazm2s7jhxn) — Lombard, IL
- [Assistant Project Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/assistant-project-manager-valdes-architecture-engineering-valparaiso-4e8apk4gzgnb) — Valparaiso, IN
- [Cost Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/cost-technician-valdes-architecture-engineering-valparaiso-5wa242cz0bpn) — Valparaiso, IN
- [Maintenance Technical Support](https://feeny.ai/job/maintenance-technical-support-valdes-architecture-engineering-wheatfield-2w913jy48s3j) — Wheatfield, IN
- [Senior Mechanical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-mechanical-engineer-valdes-architecture-engineering-lombard-7ggekb7ht5s5) — Lombard, IL
- [Principal Mechanical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-mechanical-engineer-valdes-architecture-engineering-lombard-c7pwk5wvyz37) — Lombard, IL
- [Recruiter III- Engineering](https://feeny.ai/job/recruiter-iii-engineering-valdes-architecture-engineering-lombard-ekcfb7cpv6x3) — Lombard, IL
- [Project Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/project-engineer-valdes-architecture-engineering-lombard-r1bnpzj05g76) — Lombard, IL
- [Architect - Industrial](https://feeny.ai/job/architect-industrial-valdes-architecture-engineering-lombard-8hy0hxme0str) — Lombard, IL