District Engineer

We’re seeking an experienced and forward-thinking engineering leader to guide MnDOT’s District One operations across Northeastern Minnesota. In this role, you’ll set strategic direction, drive transportation program delivery, and champion continuous improvement across an eight-county region. You’ll align district goals with statewide plans, lead multimodal program development, and cultivate strong partnerships with legislators, local governments, and community stakeholders. You’ll shape policy, support statewide initiatives, and ensure our workforce is strategically staffed to deliver high-quality, customer-focused services.

This position also plays a key role in advancing innovative project delivery, including oversight of MnDOT’s largest design-build project, helping position the agency for future success. If you’re energized by complex systems, collaborative leadership, and the opportunity to influence transportation outcomes at both regional and statewide levels, this is a chance to make a lasting impact. This position provides executive leadership, strategic direction, managerial expertise and organizational direction for all operations related to the District Management Team so that public policy is developed, priorities are established, and programs are implemented in an integrated manner throughout the counties of Northeastern Minnesota.

Major focus areas include:

• Transportation program delivery
• Business and strategic planning
• Department-wide collaboration
• Organizational evaluation
• Change management

In addition, this position provides ongoing support to managers and leadership to assure continuous improvements, innovation, streamlined programs and cost-effective state transportation policies and programs.

Travel throughout District 1 will be required to meet with staff, partners, customers, and the public. Travel across the state is periodically required, including monthly division meetings. Occasional national travel is also required for training, conferences, and meetings with congressional members. Total travel would be up to 25% of the position’s time, 10% of travel includes overnight stays.

Why MnDOT?

We offer excellent employee benefits, such as low-cost health and dental insurance, and affordable dependent coverage. Other benefits include:

• 12 paid holidays per year
• Earn up to 29 paid vacation days a year
• Earn 13 days paid sick time
• Defined pension plan
• Paid life insurance
• Paid parental leave available
• Some telework may be available
• And more!

Minimum Qualifications:

To qualify, applicants must be currently registered as a Professional Engineer with the Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geo-science and Interior Design (AELSLAGID). (If obtaining licensure through Comity, a temporary permit from AELSLAGID must be provided to MnDOT HR prior to starting employment.)

AND

Possess three years of managerial experience overseeing a complex civil engineering team providing strategic direction, resource (budget and staff) management, and policy development.

If you meet the above requirements and wish to be considered further in the selection process, you must provide a cover letter summarizing your experience in the areas listed below. Attach your cover letter AND resume to the online application. If you do not submit the required information in your cover letter, your application will not be considered further.

• Leadership and Management: Experience leading and managing program delivery and maintenance functions with trust, transparency, and accountability; and experience leading teams and organizational change.
• Technical Expertise: Experience demonstrating a broad understanding of the technical areas affecting MnDOT’s district and division engineering and maintenance activities, including an understanding of and support for project management.
• Fiscal and Human Resources Management: Experience using resources effectively and implementing diverse service delivery models to achieve work objectives.
• Policymaking and Strategic Direction/Initiatives: Experience developing and implementing innovative policies, practices and strategic direction and initiatives; and experience with the legislative process.
• Relationship Building: Experience collaborating with a wide variety of stakeholders, including building and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external partners.

How to Apply:

Please Apply Online by 5/26/2026:

1. Go to www.mn.gov/careers
2. Click “Search open positions”
3. Enter the Job Opening ID “93837” in the Keywords search box and click “>>”
4. Click on the Job Title to view the job posting
5. Click “Apply for Job”
6. When prompted for your Referral Source, please list: Social Media - LinkedIn Job Slot

Only applicants received on mn.gov/careers will be considered.

Contact for Additional Information:

Laura Saari, MnDOT Recruitment Specialist

Laura.Saari@state.mn.us