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Description

The ARA Transportation Infrastructure Division is seeking pavement engineers to work full-time in our office in Ventura, CA. But we’re not just seeking pavement engineers—we’re looking for problem-solvers and innovators. If you’re a civil engineer with a passion for transportation infrastructure and a background in cutting-edge research, machine learning, signal processing, or geospatial analytics, we want to meet you.

Our Ventura team plays a national role in pavement and infrastructure solutions, from PCI surveys in cities across the West Coast to federal R&D efforts. Join a team where your research background and software skills can immediately make an impact.

This role is a great fit for someone who combines pavement engineering fundamentals with advanced skills in data science, programming, and system development—ideal for applying and growing expertise across a variety of forward-thinking infrastructure projects.

What we offer:

+ A collaborative environment where innovation is encouraged, from AI tools for DOTs to custom sensor development for rail and pavement systems.

+ The ability to lead technical workstreams early in your career and contribute to ongoing national research programs.

+ Flexible growth into roles that blend engineering, programming, and applied R&D.

+ Opportunities to present at major transportation and infrastructure conferences.

What you will do as a staff pavement engineer:

+ Work directly with senior engineers to support pavement evaluation, structural analysis, and performance forecasting.

+ Apply your research skills to real-world challenges in pavement and transportation infrastructure.

+ Contribute to projects involving distributed acoustic sensing, traffic speed deflection, and machine learning integration for pavement evaluation.

+ Participate in developing pavement management strategies using big data and GIS-based tools.

+ Use tools such as Python, GIS, and signal processing software to enhance analysis, visualization, and decision-making.

+ Build user-friendly interfaces or dashboards to communicate technical results to stakeholders.

+ Be flexible, willing, and able to adapt to the demands of the project/task including possibly supporting client needs for data collection in the field (with travel required).

+ Participate in writing proposals in response to RFPs for existing and new lines of business.

+ Engage in marketing and networking activities at conferences and other industry gatherings.

+ Travel for conferences, marketing, and project level work.

It is expected that you will be able to win work through writing proposals within 1 year and you will be able to sit for the PE exam within 2 years.

Staff pavement engineer requirements:

+ BS or higher in Civil Engineering, with focus in pavements, transportation, or geotechnical. Advanced degree preferred.

+ 2+ years of relevant experience; graduate/academic research may be considered in fulfillment of the experience requirement, if directly applicable (e.g., distributed sensing, asphalt analysis, pavement management, or data science).

+ Strong programming skills in Python, MATLAB, or equivalent, with applied experience in signal processing or machine learning.

+ Demonstrated ability to handle large datasets and develop geospatial visualizations or dashboards.

+ Familiarity with data acquisition systems, large language models, or control systems is a plus.

+ EIT preferred, with intent to pursue licensure within 2 years.

+ Willingness to travel (approximately 10% of time) for fieldwork, client meetings, conferences, etc. Candidates must meet eligibility requirements for badging/access to project sites.

Preferred qualities:

+ Passion for combining traditional civil engineering with data-driven approaches and field experimentation.

+ Ability to independently lead technical solutions and mentor others in emerging technologies.

+ Experience with transportation infrastructure research and publications/presentations at TRB or related conferences.

Compensation:

The anticipated salary for this position ranges from $79,000 to $87,000/year, depending on education and experience. ARA also offers competitive benefits that address our employees’ needs now and in the future. Learn more about each of our benefits at https://www.ara.com/benefits/.

About ARA:

ARA is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs more than 2,300 professionals and continues to grow. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in civil technologies, computer software and simulation, defense technologies, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for pavement analysis, environmental site characterization, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership spawns greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.