SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS

Associate Design Engineer

SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS, San Diego

Salary: $86,174.40 - $133,577.60 Annually
Location : 1011 Union Street, San Diego
Job Type: Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Department: Mega Projects, Border, and Goods Movement
Division: Engineering and Design (MPBGM)
Opening Date: 08/13/2025
Closing Date: 8/27/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Description
Role
SANDAG is seeking an Associate Design Engineer to work within the SANDAG Mega Projects, Border and Goods Movement department. This position will focus on providing technical support and facilitating the complex design of various projects including the new Otay Mesa East Port of Entry (OME POE), the LOSSAN Rail Realignment, and all future projects within the portfolio of the Mega Projects, Border and Goods Movement Department. This position will assist with oversight for multiple consultants, support project management staff, and assist with coordination with federal agencies including CBP, GSA and FHWA as well as local agencies.
Overview of Capital Improvement Program
The Mega Projects, Border and Goods Movement Department focuses on delivering complex infrastructure and technology projects in the San Diego region, as well as delivering projects that focus on goods movement and border connectivity. Some of these projects include the SR 11/Otay Mesa East Port of Entry (OME POE), the LOSSAN Rail Realignment, the Harbor Drive 2.0/Vesta Street Bridge, and the Back Office System.
Job Responsibilities

Coordinate the planning, design, and implementation of a diverse range of transportation improvement projects.
Provide technical support and engineering knowledge for projects in the conceptual, planning, engineering, construction, and closeout phases; review submittals, requests for information, studies, reports, and estimates; conduct analyses of budgets, expenditures, and schedules; coordinate consultant services.
Assist in the preparation of Requests for Proposals (RFPs), scopes of work, project deliverables, budgets, and schedules; participate in the selection of consultants and vendors; administer contracts.
Support senior staff with the coordination of consultants, collect and communicate information related to project progress, schedule, approved budget, and quality; provide information regarding adherence with funding agency requirements.
Assist with the budget and schedule for the acquisition of property rights required for projects including land, permanent and temporary easements, and joint use agreements.
Foster collaborative working relationships with local, statewide, and federal jurisdictions and various partners in the region to advance transportation planning and implementation of projects.

Typical Qualifications

Bachelor's degree with major course work in civil, structural, electrical, systems or transportation engineering, and registration as an Engineer in Training (EIT) or as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of California is preferred.
Three years of increasingly responsible, professional capital project design, construction, and delivery experience, preferably for transportation related projects
Demonstrated knowledge of modern principles and practices of design, engineering, right-of-way, environmental permitting, construction, and implementation and administration of transportation projects in environmentally sensitive areas.
Ability to prepare and review specifications, plans, and designs for regional transportation projects; ability to coordinate with other design professionals and consultants in the development and delivery of engineering plans, specifications, estimates, reports, calculations, and environmental permitting.
Knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, particularly in the area of design standards; knowledge of requirements related to the Americans with Disabilities Act, storm water pollution control, and environmental and hazardous materials mitigation.
Demonstrated ability to analyze problems and propose practical solutions; ability to research, analyze, and evaluate technical issues.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including agency and other government officials, community groups, and the public.
Ability to communicate technical information effectively, to a broad range of audiences; ability to prepare clear and concise administrative, technical, and informational reports; ability to help prepare public presentations and recommendations regarding program elements.
Excellent organizational skills and the ability to coordinate several concurrent projects at various stages of completion; ability to establish and maintain priorities and work independently.
Demonstrated computer software proficiency using various programs from the Microsoft Office Suite and other PC-based applications; experience with Computer Aided Design (CAD), financial management systems, project management, and scheduling software is desirable.
Familiarity with public participation and public outreach efforts designed to inform, educate, engage, and involve the public in the regional transportation planning process.
Working knowledge of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) guidelines and requirements for project development and delivery.

First review of applications: August 27, 2025
Expected start date: October 2025
We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including:

Hybrid work options
9/80 flexible work schedule
Pay-for-performance merit increases
Retirement - Defined Benefit Plan with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)
Retirement - 457 Defined Contribution Plan with Voya
Excellent health insurance options for employees and their eligible dependents
Free dental and vision insurance for employees and their eligible dependents
Education Assistance of up to $5,250 a year for regular employees
Free transit pass for use throughout the San Diego region, bus, Rapid Express, Trolley, and COASTER
Paid time off including 12 paid holidays, 2 floating holiday days, generous paid time off (PTO) per year, depending on length of service

01
SANDAG employees are expected to live within the San Diego region and work in-person in our San Diego office; there are hybrid work schedule options available, as well as a 9/80 work schedule (every other Monday off).This is not a fully remote position.Are you able and willing to adhere to the onsite and work schedule described above?

02
Do you have a bachelor's degree with major course work in civil, structural, electrical, systems or transportation engineering?

03
Do you have a Engineer -in-Training (EIT) license/certification?

04
Describe your professional experience in capital project design, construction, and delivery.
05
Will you now or will you in the future require employment visa sponsorship?

Required Question