Traffic Engineer/Transportation Planner
The Junior Traffic Engineer / Transportation Planner will support a variety of traffic engineering, planning, and applied technology projects under the direct supervision of senior staff. This entry-level position is designed for fresh graduates who bring a strong academic foundation, sharp analytical skills, and a genuine interest in leveraging data and emerging technologies to solve real-world transportation challenges. This role offers hands-on exposure to FDOT project delivery, traffic operations, systems planning, and innovative decision-support tools, providing an excellent foundation for a career in consulting.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assist in traffic data collection, reduction, and analysis (vehicle counts, speed studies, turning movement counts, pedestrian and bicycle counts).
- Support traffic impact studies, corridor studies, and intersection analyses using industry-standard software (Synchro, SimTraffic, HCS, VISSIM).
- Prepare fundamental traffic signal warrant analyses, sight distance evaluations, and capacity/level-of-service assessments.
- Contribute data and sections to the development of Traffic Engineering Studies and Traffic Operations reports for FDOT and local agency clients.
- Support travel demand modeling efforts by assisting with model validation inputs, data assembly, and routine scenario analysis.
- Assist in subarea studies, corridor planning, and Systems Planning tasks including SIS and freight analyses.
- Help prepare draft technical memoranda, planning reports, and presentations for agency stakeholders and public involvement processes.
- Prepare high-quality technical figures, tables, charts, and report sections.
- Coordinate closely with project managers and senior engineers to meet deadlines and learn company standards.
- Participate in site visits, field data collection activities, and client meetings as a developmental opportunity.
- Maintain organized project files and documentation consistent with firm QA/QC standards.
Education and Experience:
- Experience: Entry-level (0–3 years of experience). Prior internship or co-op experience at a transportation engineering/planning firm or a public transportation agency (FDOT, MPO, municipality) is a significant plus.
- Master of Science (MS) in Civil Engineering (with a Transportation focus), Transportation Engineering, or Transportation Planning is highly preferred for fresh graduates.
- Bachelor of Science (BS) in Civil Engineering or a related discipline with relevant project/coursework.
- Skills: Exposure to traffic analysis and/or modeling tools beyond standard classroom theory is an asset.
Professional Attributes:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey technical concepts clearly.
- Self-motivated with the ability to manage tasks efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
- Collaborative team player who enjoys working across disciplines and seniority levels.
- Intellectual curiosity and an eagerness to learn new tools, methods, and technologies.
Commitment:
Joining Lochner means gaining access to a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to support your health and financial well-being throughout your career.
Lochner provides an extensive total rewards package that includes:
- Competitive Premiums for Medical, Dental, and Vision
- Paid Time Off and Flexible Holiday Program
- Company Paid Disability (includes paid Maternity Leave), and Life Insurance
- Health Savings Accounts (HSA) with Employer Contribution
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Medical Expenses and/or Dependent Care
- Paid Family Leave
- Retirement Plan with Employer Match
- Flexible Work Schedules (Hybrid or Remote, when possible)
- Wellness Program for Physical and Mental Health
- Lochner Cares Non-Profit 501c3
- Education and Training Assistance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Discounts
- Paid Time Off for Charitable Acts of Service
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
Physical Requirements:
The physical requirements must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Intermittent sitting, walking, standing, bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, twisting, stoop, crawl, and lifting. The employee must frequently lift and/or move light equipment up to 20 pounds. Must be alert to equipment in the field, occasional need to work near hazardous equipment and machinery, occasional need to walk on uneven ground, exposure to dust, gas or fumes, exposure to noise, extremes in temperature or humidity, and potential work at heights.
Equal Employer:
Lochner is proudly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. Lochner provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
All positions at Lochner require an applicant who has accepted an employment offer to undergo pre-employment screening. Background checks include SSN/SIN validation, motor vehicle verification, education verification, employment verification, a criminal check, search against global sanctions and government watch lists, and drug tests. All employment offers are contingent upon successful results of the pre-employment screening.