Jobs › STV

Bridge Engineer, Inspector

STV · Chicago, IL · $104,403–$119,317 a year · Full time

Posted Mar 12, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a new bridge you designed. What was the hardest design decision?

What they are checking: Whether they have real design ownership, not only inspection experience.

How do you mentor a junior engineer on their first field inspection?

What they are checking: Whether they can develop junior staff and keep them safe during site visits.

How do inspection findings feed back into how you design new structures?

What they are checking: Whether they connect what they see failing in the field to better design choices.

What would you do

During an inspection you find section loss on a primary steel member that looks worse than the last report. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they recognize a critical finding and escalate it immediately rather than waiting for the report cycle.

Your design is due next week, and an urgent inspection gets scheduled the same week. How do you manage both?

What they are checking: Whether they can balance the dual design and inspection role without letting quality slip on either.

About the work

You are an IDOT-qualified bridge inspection team leader. Walk me through how you plan and run an NBIS inspection from mobilization to report.

What they are checking: Whether they can lead a full inspection safely and produce reports that meet NBIS requirements.

What are the key differences between designing a highway bridge under AASHTO LRFD and a railway bridge under AREMA?

What they are checking: Whether they truly know both codes, since the role requires designing to both.

How do you use AASHTOWare BrR for load rating, and when would you move to LARSA 4D instead?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the tools named in the posting and when a refined analysis is needed.

What safety protocols do you set up for an inspection over active traffic or rail lines?

What they are checking: Whether site safety is a planned part of every inspection, which team leaders are responsible for.

How comfortable are you producing plans in MicroStation and OpenBridge?

What they are checking: Whether they can produce deliverables in the platforms the team uses without heavy CAD support.

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The full job description

As published by STV.

STV is seeking a Bridge Engineer, Inspector with a dual focus on Structural Design and Inspection Team Leadership. This role is designed for a structural expert who can support the design of complex new structures under AASHTO LRFD and AREMA specifications, while also serving as a certified Team Leader for NBIS bridge inspections. Qualifications • Education: B.S. in Civil or Structural Engineering • Experience: 8–15 years of progressive experience in bridge design and inspection. • Licensure: Illinois Professional Engineer, P.E. required • Certifications: • Completion of NHI Course 130055, Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges • Current IDOT-Qualified Bridge Inspection Team Leader status. • Technical Expertise: • Proven track record designing new bridges according to AASHTO and AREMA standards. • High proficiency in AASHTOWare BrR, LARSA 4D, and MicroStation, OpenBridge. Essential Functions • Technical Design: Support or lead the design and analysis for new highway, pedestrian, and railway bridges. Ensure all designs comply with AASHTO LRFD and AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering. • Inspection Team Leadership: Serve as the Team Leader for NBIS bridge safety inspections. Direct field operations, manage safety protocols, and mentor junior engineers during site visits. Key Responsibilities • Structural Design: Lead the design and analysis for new highway, pedestrian, and railway bridges. Ensure all designs comply with AASHTO LRFD and AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering . • Inspection Team Leadership: Serve as the Qualified Team Leader for NBIS bridge safety inspections. Direct field operations, manage safety protocols, and mentor junior engineers during site visits. Physical Requirements & Safety • Ability to lead field teams in challenging environments, including working at heights, near active rail lines, and over water. • Commitment to STV’s "Zero Harm" safety culture and the ability to coordinate complex field logistics (e.g., track time, flagging, and lane closures). Compensation Range: $104,402.58 - $119,317.24 STV offers the following benefits • Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account • Dental insurance • Vision insurance • Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable) • Disability insurance • Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment • 401(k) Plan • Retirement Counseling • Employee Assistance Program • Paid Time Off (starting at 16 days) • Paid Holidays (9 days) • Back-Up Dependent Care (up to 10 days per year) • Parental Leave (up to 80 hours) • Continuing Education Program • Professional Licensure and Society Memberships STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner. The listed pay range is STV’s good-faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications. Not sure this role is the perfect match? We encourage you to apply if STV’s work and values resonate with you. We know great candidates don’t always meet every qualification, and research shows women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they do. At STV, we believe strong talent comes from a wide range of backgrounds, and your skills and experience may align with this or another opportunity as we continue to grow.

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