CDM Smith is hiring a Transportation Engineer 3 in Abu Dhabi to develop large-scale projects such as highways, tunnels, mass transit, and aviation engineering designs of basic to moderate complexity, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while meeting client project requirements, with visa sponsorship available for the right candidate.
About the Role – Large-Scale Infrastructure Design
Core Focus: Developing large-scale projects including highways, tunnels, mass transit, and aviation designs
Compliance Scope: Reviewing draft designs for compliance with federal, state, and local regulations
Technical Contribution: Developing white papers and technical design documentation for the firm’s knowledge base
Authority Coordination: Regular engagement with DMT, ITC, municipalities, developers, and utility agencies
Mentorship Role: Providing technical guidance, training, and review of junior staff work
🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Opportunity & CDM Smith Culture
Strategic Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE – major hub for infrastructure and transportation development
Employee-Focused Culture: CDM Smith prioritizes an unmatched employee experience and career growth
International Support: Visa sponsorship available, with domestic and international travel possible depending on role needs
Career Growth: Opportunities for personal leadership, technical publishing, and conference participation
Position Overview
This Transportation Engineer 3 role at CDM Smith in Abu Dhabi involves developing large-scale projects such as highways, tunnels, mass transit, and aviation engineering designs of basic to moderate complexity under general supervision. You will review draft designs for regulatory compliance, ensure firm policies and practices are followed, perform site reviews and studies, inspect new construction and existing transportation structures, contribute to the firm’s technical knowledge management through white papers, submit technical papers for publishing, attend conferences to improve firm visibility, and provide technical guidance and training to junior staff.
Why This Role Matters: As Transportation Engineer 3 at CDM Smith in Abu Dhabi, you shape critical infrastructure projects across highways, tunnels, mass transit, and aviation that directly impact regional connectivity, apply CADD 3D/4D design expertise and AASHTO standards to real-world transportation challenges, strengthen client and authority relationships through direct engagement with regulatory bodies, mentor junior engineers while contributing to the firm’s technical knowledge base through published research, and build a rewarding engineering career with visa sponsorship support and a globally respected infrastructure consulting firm.
Key Responsibilities
Large-Scale Project Design
- Develop highways, tunnels, mass transit, and aviation engineering designs
- Work on projects of basic to moderate complexity meeting client requirements
- Review draft designs for compliance with federal, state, and local regulations
- Ensure firm policies and practices are followed on all designs
Site Reviews & Construction Inspection
- Perform site reviews and studies to align designs with location specifications
- Update design requirements as necessary based on site findings
- Inspect new construction and existing transportation structures
- Support quality assurance across active infrastructure projects
Technical Knowledge & Authority Coordination
- Contribute to the firm’s technical knowledge management (TKM) through white papers
- Submit technical papers and designs for publishing to technical journals
- Attend conferences and symposia to improve firm visibility
- Engage regularly with DMT, ITC, municipalities, developers, and utility agencies
- Improve approval timelines and reduce project risks through authority coordination
Mentorship & Team Support
- Provide technical guidance and training to more junior staff
- Review the work of junior engineers for quality and accuracy
- Support collaboration with sales staff on firm visibility initiatives
- Perform other duties as required to support project delivery
Qualifications & Requirements
Educational Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Transportation, or Structural Engineering or related discipline
- Equivalent additional directly related experience considered in lieu of a degree
Experience Requirements
- 3 years of related experience
Technical Skills
- Solid knowledge of computer assisted design and drafting (CADD) 3D and 4D software
- Solid knowledge of engineering principles of design
- Expert knowledge of Microsoft business software (Excel, Word, etc.)
- Basic knowledge of design standards (AASHTO, NACTO, etc.)
Essential Skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to enhance authority coordination through regular face-to-face engagement
- Domestic and/or international travel may be required depending on role demands
About CDM Smith
CDM Smith is committed to offering an unmatched employee experience, where employees work on meaningful projects and play an active role in shaping their career journey. As an employer of choice, CDM Smith fosters a challenging, progressive, and inclusive work environment that supports personal leadership, career growth, and development for every employee. This Transportation Engineer 3 role in Abu Dhabi offers visa sponsorship, exposure to large-scale infrastructure projects, and the backing of a globally respected engineering consultancy.
Career Excellence: Shape highways, transit, and aviation infrastructure across Abu Dhabi with CDM Smith’s globally respected engineering team.
Who Should Apply?
- Civil/Transportation Engineers: With 3+ years of highway, transit, or aviation design experience
- CADD Design Specialists: Skilled in 3D and 4D design and drafting software
- AASHTO-Familiar Engineers: With knowledge of transportation design standards
- Authority Coordination Professionals: Comfortable liaising with municipalities and utility agencies
- Visa-Seeking International Candidates: Interested in relocating to Abu Dhabi with sponsorship support
Recently Opening Job👇
