Leads IDOT Phase I engineering and NEPA studies for transportation projects, managing scope, budgets, schedules, staffing, quality, risks, and multidisciplinary teams. Oversees alternatives analysis, roadway and traffic studies, environmental coordination, public involvement, agency and stakeholder engagement, plan reviews, and project approvals. Provides technical leadership, develops client relationships, supports proposals and business development, and mentors staff. The role requires occasional travel and offers a hybrid schedule.
Transportation Practice
Consistently ranked by Engineering News-Record as a Top 20 transportation firm, Michael Baker International offers clients an integrated team of professionals versed in all aspects of transportation planning, design, permitting, and construction management and inspection. In addition, Michael Baker International is a recognized leader in the practical aspects of operating and maintaining a safe and efficient transportation infrastructure.
What We're Looking For:
Michael Baker International is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager – NEPA/Phase I to join our Highway Department in Chicago, Illinois. This is an exciting opportunity for a transportation professional who wants to lead high‑profile IDOT, Illinois Tollway, and local agency roadway projects while mentoring teams and building trusted client relationships.
In this role, you’ll lead multidisciplinary teams through the development of transportation improvements from initial planning and alternatives analysis through environmental documentation and design approval. You’ll balance technical analysis, environmental considerations, and stakeholder engagement to develop practical, context-sensitive solutions that meet project needs and agency requirements.
You’ll collaborate with regional and national teams to lead multidisciplinary Phase I work efforts, including traffic and safety analyses, geometric studies, environmental studies and coordination, and public involvement.
This position offers a hybrid work schedule, allowing you to balance in‑office collaboration with flexible remote work.
What You'll Do:
- Lead and manage IDOT Phase I engineering and NEPA studies for roadway, intersection, interchange, bridge, safety, and multimodal transportation projects in accordance with applicable IDOT, FHWA, state, and federal requirements.
- Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, staffing, quality, and overall project delivery.
- Lead the development and evaluation of transportation alternatives, including purpose and need, existing conditions, geometric concepts, traffic and safety analyses, environmental impacts, and preliminary cost estimates.
- Lead coordination with IDOT, FHWA, local agencies, regulatory agencies, stakeholders, property owners, and the public throughout project development.
- Plan and support public involvement activities, including stakeholder meetings, public information meetings, public hearings, and development of supporting materials.
- Provide technical leadership in roadway design, modeling, and plan production.
- Lead multidisciplinary teams across multiple offices and coordinate with subconsultants.
- Review plans, reports, and proposals to ensure accuracy, compliance, and quality standards
- Lead QA/QC efforts, identify project risks, and resolve technical and project delivery challenges.
- Build and maintain strong client relationships, supporting client satisfaction and long‑term partnerships
- Support proposal development, business development, and pursuit of future project opportunities.
- Mentor and support staff development while fostering a collaborative team environment
- Travel occasionally to support project and client needs
What You Need to Succeed:
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering
- Professional Engineer (PE) license in Illinois, or ability to obtain within four months of hire
- 10+ years of transportation engineering experience with demonstrated experience leading or managing Phase I engineering, NEPA, transportation planning, or environmental studies.
- Strong knowledge of the IDOT Phase I project development process and NEPA requirements.
- Demonstrated experience with alternatives analysis, preliminary roadway geometrics, traffic and safety evaluations, environmental coordination, and development of Phase I documentation.
- Experience coordinating environmental resources and studies, including wetlands, threatened and endangered species, cultural resources, special waste, Section 4(f), and related environmental requirements, preferred.
- Experience planning and leading public and stakeholder engagement for transportation projects preferred.
- Strong project management skills, including demonstrated success managing scope, budgets, schedules, staffing, and project risk.
- Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage change, and resolve complex technical challenges.
- Strong communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills with clients, agencies, and internal teams.
- Proficiency with MicroStation/OpenRoads, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, Bluebeam, and ProjectWise.
- PMP, PTOE, or other relevant professional certifications are a plus but not required.
Compensation:
The approximate compensation range for this position is $150,000 to $200,000 per year. This compensation range is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation is dependent upon factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skillset, and physical work location.
Why Choose Us:
- Medical, dental, vision insurance
- 401k Retirement Plan
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability
- Professional and personal development
- Generous paid time off
- Commuter and wellness benefits
#LI-MM1 #LI-HYBRID
Based in Pittsburgh and with over 100 offices nationwide, we partner with clients on everything from roads, bridges, tunnels, mass transit, and airports, to water treatment plants, arctic oil pipelines, environmental restoration and specialized overseas construction. We serve as a trusted adviser to the communities we serve, making them safer, more accessible, more sustainable and more prosperous.
We provide visionary leadership in facilitating transformational change for our clients. Our work delivers differentiating innovations and dedicated experts who challenge the status quo and share a world of diverse experience and an impassioned entrepreneurial spirit. We deliver quality of life.
We Make a Difference.
Michael Baker International is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Michael Baker International provides equal employment opportunity for all persons, in all facets of employment. Michael Baker International maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified and all will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, familial status, pregnancy or childbirth, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, or membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or any other legally protected status.
EEO is the Law. Applicants to and employees of Michael Baker International are protected under Federal law from discrimination.
*It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
*There is no current application deadline. Michael Baker will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled or no longer needed.
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