Principal Engineer - National Concrete Pavement Technology Center

Position Title:
Principal Engineer - National Concrete Pavement Technology Center

Job Group:
Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree and 8 years related experience

Preferred Qualifications:
Degree in Civil Engineering; related Master's degree or above strongly preferred.
Extensive experience in the field of concrete and pavement.
Professional engineering license (PE).
Experience working with senior-level industry/agency management.  
Proven experience leading project teams.
Experience managing research and/or implementation contracts.

Job Description:

Are you an experienced concrete engineer that wants to make a meaningful difference on a national scale? Are you excited by the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in a positive, collaborative, and welcoming environment?

If so, The Institute for Transportation (InTrans) at Iowa State University is currently seeking applicants for a Principal Engineer of the National Concrete Pavement Technology Center (CP Tech Center). This will be classified as a Research and Development Engineer IV.

What You'll Do:

• Lead national initiatives to develop and implement strategies that enhance the long-term performance of concrete pavements, while contributing to the development of national standards.

• Provide expert guidance to agencies and industry nationwide on both routine and complex concrete pavement challenges.

• Cultivate strong relationships with top agency and industry leaders, and foster collaboration among leading faculty to drive impactful research and advance national strategic initiatives.

• Serve as a conduit for communication among agencies, industry, and academia.

• Actively participate on committees and boards of national organizations such as TRB, AASHTO, ASTM, ISCP, and ACI.

• Lead multi-million-dollar, multi-disciplinary research and implementation projects funded by federal and state agencies—including FHWA, FAA, and the Transportation Pooled Fund program—with multiple subcontractors.

• Pursue research funding and develop proposals to support the Center’s research and implementation goals.

• Engage over 30 nationally recognized experts from academia, industry, and agencies as subcontractors.

• Identify strategic industry needs and coordinate with national expert groups to develop collaborative solutions.

• Lead expert task groups to ensure technical soundness and broad acceptance of Center-developed products.

• Oversee the creation of cutting-edge, practitioner-accessible deliverables.

• Guide the direction of national-level research initiatives.

• Develop and deliver a wide range of unbiased, high-quality educational products—including presentations, workshops, webinars, books, guides, and tech briefs—at national venues for audiences ranging from DOT directors to field inspectors and industry leaders, promoting best practices in concrete pavement design, construction, and maintenance.

• Plan and manage national events such as the National Concrete Consortium workshops, conferences, and symposia.

• Conduct field demonstrations (with lab staff) of new equipment and methods, presenting findings with the authority of a trusted national expert.

• Coordinate with Center leadership to sustain a multimillion-dollar soft-funded operation by maintaining strategic relationships with executive boards, industry sponsors, and agency leaders; securing new funding; and regularly reviewing the Center’s strategic plan to ensure continued relevance and financial stability.

The successful candidate for this position will be able to solve unusual problems in concrete pavements, write national standards and specifications, and speak credibly to audiences of their peers. They will also be familiar with standard pavement design processes, construction practices, and maintenance and preservation activities.

This is a one-year, fixed term position with the opportunity for renewal.

Nationwide travel will be required for this position.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

This posting will be open until filled. However, to receive full consideration, applications need to be submitted before August 6th, 2025.

About CP Tech Center:

The National Concrete Pavement Technology Center (CP Tech Center) is a national hub for concrete pavement research and technology transfer at the intersection of public agencies, industry, and academia. The CP Tech Center was founded in 2000 and via research and tech transfer has been instrumental in advancing strategic improvements in how concrete pavements are specified, built, and maintained.

Level Guidelines
• Expert-level position possessing advanced professional and/or technical skills working under limited or no supervision
• Applies high-level professional knowledge and expertise to focus on ISU’s mission and meeting division, department or work unit goals
• Solves complex issues using highly-developed problem resolution skills
• Regularly provides recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices
• Utilizes high-level professional knowledge and expertise to provide guidance, recommendations, and set standards related to strategy, policy, and mission
• Leads projects of moderate to high scope and complexity with broad impact
• May provide supervision to other department staff (i.e., leads a small work team)

Appointment Type:
Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:

September 1, 2026

Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work Period

Time Type:
Full time

Pay Grade:
PS813

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Why Choose ISU?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

Original Posting Date:
July 15, 2025

Posting Close Date:

Job Requisition Number:
R17390