Department Manager, Transportation

Description
JOB DESCRIPTION
Michael Baker International is actively seeking a visionary and business development-focused Department Manager to lead our Transportation Practice in Santa Ana, California. As a Top 20 nationally ranked transportation firm, we're shaping the future of infrastructure across the state — from major highway corridors to local streetscapes that connect communities.

This is more than a management role — it's a chance to drive innovation, build a high-performing team, and lead transformative projects for both Caltrans and municipal agencies throughout Southern California.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of engineers and designers on state highway and municipal transportation projects.
• Manage project delivery schedules, budgets, and ensure the highest quality standards.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships with Caltrans, local cities, counties, and regional transportation agencies.
• Drive strategic growth through business development, including client pre-positioning, proposal leadership, and interview preparation.
• Represent Michael Baker at professional organizations and industry events to elevate our regional presence.
• Guide the application of Michael Baker's services to best serve client needs and support long-term practice growth.
• Collaborate with national, regional, and office leadership to ensure successful contracting and project execution.

Professional Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering
• CA PE (Civil) license required.
• 15+ years of transportation/public works experience.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and project management skills.
• Experience with Caltrans standards and design-build projects is a plus.
• Excellent communication and proposal writing abilities.
• Passion for innovation and growing a high-performing team.

Compensation
The salary range for this position is up to $275,000. This compensation range is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation is dependent upon factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skillset, and physical work location.

Benefits
We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• 401K Retirement Plan
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability
• Professional and personal development
• Generous paid time off
• Commuter and wellness benefits

About Us
Michael Baker International, a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction and program management, has been solving some of the world's most complex infrastructure challenges for more than 85 years with a legacy of expertise, experience, innovation and integrity.

Based in Pittsburgh and with nearly 100 offices nationwide, we partner with clients on everything from roads, bridges, tunnels, mass transit, and airports, to water treatment plants, arctic oil pipelines, environmental restoration and specialized overseas construction. We serve as a trusted adviser to the communities we serve, making them safer, more accessible, more sustainable and more prosperous.

We provide visionary leadership in facilitating transformational change for our clients. Our work delivers differentiating innovations and dedicated experts who challenge the status quo and share a world of diverse experience and an impassioned entrepreneurial spirit. We deliver quality of life.

We Make a Difference.

Michael Baker International is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Michael Baker International provides equal employment opportunity for all persons, in all facets of employment. Michael Baker International maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified and all will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, familial status, pregnancy or childbirth, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, or membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or any other legally protected status.

EEO is the Law. Applicants to and employees of Michael Baker International are protected under Federal law from discrimination.

• It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
• There is no current application deadline. Michael Baker will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled or no longer needed.