Bridge Designer, Principal at Parsons in Washington, DC

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Job Description:

About Parsons

Parsons is a leading provider of engineering, design, and program management services for critical transportation infrastructure across the U.S. We deliver safe, resilient, and sustainable solutions for our clients, including state Departments of Transportation and local agencies. In the DMV region, our teams support complex bridge and transportation projects for DDOT, VDOT, and MDOT, helping to improve mobility and connectivity for the communities we serve.

Position Overview

Parsons is seeking a Senior Designer – Bridges & Complex Structures to support our growing portfolio of transportation projects in the DC–Maryland–Virginia (DMV) area. This role will focus on bridge design and complex structural systems for highways and urban transportation corridors, with a strong emphasis on CADD production in DDOT, VDOT, and MDOT formats.

You will work closely with structural engineers, project managers, and other discipline leads to develop high-quality plans, details, and 3D models for new bridges, rehabilitations, and major replacements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and produce CADD design and construction documents for bridges and complex structures on DOT transportation projects in the DMV region.
• Develop plans, elevations, sections, and detailsfor:
  • Steel and concrete girder bridges
  • Segmental or curved structures
  • Complex urban interchanges and ramp structures
  • Retaining walls, noise walls, and minor structures
• Interpret and implement DDOT, VDOT, and MDOT CADD standards, including:
  • File naming conventions, level/layer standards, and line styles
  • Cell/blocks, annotation, sheet borders, and plotting standards
  • Plan set organization and standard plan sheet requirements
• Prepare 3D models and plan production using industry-standard platforms (e.g., MicroStation/OpenRoads/OpenBridge; Civil 3D where applicable).
• Support bridge engineers in translating calculations and design concepts into constructible CADD drawings and models.
• Coordinate with roadway, drainage, traffic, and utility disciplines to ensure consistency and clash-free, coordinated designs.
• Assist in the development of project-specific CADD workflows, templates, and standards tailored to client requirements.
• Review and perform quality checks on drawings and models to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with standards.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior designers and drafters, including redlining and training on standards and best practices.
• Support design-build pursuits and proposals with preliminary layouts, quantities, and conceptual bridge plans when needed.
• Collaborate with project managers and design leads to meet schedules, budgets, and client expectations.

Required Qualifications

• Education:
  • Associate’s degree in Drafting/Design Technology, Civil/Structural Technology, or related field
  • OR equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
• Experience:
  • Minimum 8–10 years of relevant experience in bridge and structural design drafting for transportation projects
  • Demonstrated experience producing bridge plans for DOT clients, preferably in the DMV region
• Technical Skills:
  • Proficiency with MicroStation and/or OpenRoads/OpenBridge for bridge/structural plan production
  • Demonstrated experience with DDOT, VDOT, and MDOT CADD standards, including:
    • Standard symbology, levels, and cell libraries
    • Plan organization for bridge plans (general notes, layouts, framing plans, rebar details, etc.)
  • Strong understanding of bridge plan components, including:
    • General plan and elevation
    • Framing plans and girder details
    • Deck and reinforcement details
    • Bearings, joints, substructure, and foundation details
  • Ability to work in a 3D model-based environment and produce 2D deliverables from 3D models
• Soft Skills:
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
  • Effective written and verbal communication
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team and coordinate with remote team members
  • Strong organizational and time-management skills to handle multiple tasks and deadlines

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience on DDOT, VDOT, and/or MDOT bridge projects (specific project experience with at least one of these agencies is highly desirable).
• Familiarity with Bentley ProjectWise or similar document management systems.
• Experience with design-build or alternative delivery projects.
• Exposure to Bridge Information Modeling (BrIM) workflows and tools (e.g., OpenBridge Modeler, Revit, or similar).
• Knowledge of applicable AASHTO LRFD bridge design specifications (for coordination with engineers).
• Experience mentoring or supervising junior CADD staff.

Security Clearance Requirement: None

This position is part of our Critical Infrastructure team.

For more than 80 years, our experts have designed and delivered the critical infrastructure that connects and protects communities around the world. We work in collaborative teams, both within the company and with our partners and customers, to plan, design, build, and modernize infrastructure. We take special pride in projects and solutions that improve communities as well as people’s quality of life by promoting economic growth, enhancing mobility, and increasing sustainability and resiliency. Powered by our people, we provide the imagination necessary to support our customers’ visions—and to help them see what's next!

Salary Range: $35.96 - $62.93

We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as medical, dental, vision, paid time off, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), 401(k), life insurance, flexible work schedules, and holidays to fit your busy lifestyle!

Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.

We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!

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