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Project Manager, Phase 1 Highway Design

Job Locations US-IL-Chicago
Job ID
2025-12148
Job Category
Roadway
Employment Status
Full-Time

GFT is seeking a Phase 1 Project Manager, Highway Design to join our Transportation Team in Schaumburg, IL! This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at our Schaumburg, IL office.
 

Working on the Transportation team at GFT offers the opportunity to engage in transformative projects that enhance transportation infrastructure and improve community connectivity. Whether working on highways and bridges or traffic engineering, our team excels in resilient, sustainable design and construction, delivering innovative solutions that address the complexities of modern, multimodal roadway systems and ensure safe, efficient, and reliable travel for all​.  Explore some of our signature Transportation projects here.  

 
What you’ll be challenged to do:

The Project Manager will be an integral part of the Chicago offices as a member of the Transportation - Highway team. This candidate will be responsible for managing projects commensurate to experience. This individual will contribute to the design of roadway alignments, feasibility studies conceptual designs, preliminary design alternatives development for NEPA environmental documentation, public involvement programs for local agency clients and for IDOT/Illinois Tollway projects, cost estimates and required technical reports. This person will be responsible for mentoring and training younger staff, work planning and /production scheduling, growth visioning, managing project budgets, scopes, schedules, and clients. This individual will participate in the planning and design of transportation related projects and must be innovative and adaptive at identifying problems and finding solutions.

 
In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following: 
  • Work with Client Service Teams on identifying upcoming projects and development of pursuit strategies. Able to develop Statement of Interest and Interview strategies on requests for proposals.
  • Develop scope of work, project budgets, and project schedules after successfully winning work.
  • Able to work with other project managers and staff to successfully guide projects through the NEPA and federal-aid processes.
  • Able to make presentations to the public and clients on projects.
  • Provides direction and guidance to Project Engineers and Staff Engineers as to the general results expected to develop and review documents for submittal to regulatory agencies or clients.
  • Provides technical guidance on unusual or complex problems and supervisory approval on proposed designs and studies for projects.
  • Analyzes information and data to perform routine design tasks.
  • Makes decisions independently on engineering problems and methods,  and routinely represents the organization in meetings to resolve important questions, and to plan and coordinate work.
  • Responsible for accuracy of engineering design and plans, quality presentation, thoroughness and follow-through, and efficient conformance to budgets, schedules, company standards and QAQC protocols.

What you will bring to our firm:
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or related degree
  • Professional Engineer (P.E.) license 
  • 13-20 years of experience with an emphasis in roadway, highway, and bridge design 
  • Experience/working knowledge with design software tools including MicroStation, Open Roads and GEOPAK is required
  • Business Development and experience communicating and coordinating with clients 
What we prefer you bring: 
• Master’s Degree with a Transportation Focus preferred
 
Compensation:
The salary range for this role is $150,000 - $210,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.
 
Featured Benefits: 
• Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

 

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.
 
Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives. GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™ 
 
GFT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law. 
 
Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.
 
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Employment Status: Full-Time 
Salary Range: $150,000 - $210,000
Salary dependent upon experience and geographic location
 

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