Senior Highway Design Task Lead
Posted Sep 9, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026
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 the most complex highway design project you led. What were the key technical challenges?
What they are checking: Whether they have truly led complex highway delivery, not only contributed to it.
Tell me about a junior engineer or CAD technician you helped grow.
What they are checking: Whether they invest in mentoring, which is part of this role.
How do you explain a technical tradeoff to a client who is not an engineer?
What they are checking: Whether they can act as a trusted technical expert who communicates clearly.
Describe a time you suggested an innovative design solution that saved cost or time.
What they are checking: Whether they bring ideas that improve projects, not just follow precedent.
What would you do
Two projects have deadlines in the same week and your team is stretched. How do you decide what to do?
What they are checking: Whether they can balance deadlines without letting quality slip, which the posting calls out.
A project manager wants to cut design hours to save budget, but you think it risks quality. How do you handle that?
What they are checking: Whether they can support budget goals while protecting technical integrity.
About the work
How do you stay current on IDOT and Illinois Tollway design standards, and how do you share updates with your team?
What they are checking: Whether they keep the team's work aligned with changing local standards, which the posting stresses.
How do you coordinate roadway, structural, drainage and traffic design so conflicts are caught early?
What they are checking: Whether they can integrate disciplines and prevent costly late conflicts.
Walk me through your quality control process before a plan submittal goes to the client.
What they are checking: Whether they have a disciplined QC process across multiple concurrent projects.
When would you seek a design exception, and how do you justify it?
What they are checking: Whether they understand design criteria deeply enough to know when and how to deviate safely.
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Practice this out loudThe full job description
As published by STV.