Transportation Engineers

Engineer

Project Engineer

Rail Engineer

Roadway Designer

Roadway Engineer

State Roadway Design Engineer

Traffic Engineer

Traffic Operations Engineer

Transportation Engineer

What is a Transportation Engineer?

Transportation engineers are specialized civil engineers who focus on the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of transportation systems. Their work encompasses various modes of transportation, including roadways, railways, airports, and public transit systems. These professionals utilize engineering principles alongside an understanding of environmental impacts, traffic patterns, and human behavior to develop reliable, efficient, and safe transportation networks. Transportation engineers often collaborate with urban planners, government agencies, and other stakeholders to address existing transportation challenges and facilitate future growth. They assess the feasibility of projects, conduct traffic studies, analyze data to optimize transportation flow, and implement innovative solutions to reduce congestion and enhance overall system performance. As cities grow and populations increase, the role of transportation engineers becomes ever more critical in ensuring sustainable mobility for communities.

Job Outlook

Projected salary and job growth

$63220.0 - $150640.0

This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Finding local jobs...

Assessment

Related assessments and tests

No assessment available.

Related Occupations

Tasks

Design or prepare plans for new transportation systems or parts of systems, such as airports, commuter trains, highways, streets, bridges, drainage structures, or roadway lighting.
Check construction plans, design calculations, or cost estimations to ensure completeness, accuracy, or conformity to engineering standards or practices.
Prepare administrative, technical, or statistical reports on traffic-operation matters, such as accidents, safety measures, or pedestrian volume or practices.
Plan alteration or modification of existing transportation structures to improve safety or function.
Confer with contractors, utility companies, or government agencies to discuss plans, specifications, or work schedules.

Technology Skills

Computer aided design CAD software
Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint 365
Analytical or scientific software
Project management software
- Microsoft Project 365
- Oracle Primavera Cloud
Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel 365

Tools Used

Two way radios
- Mobile radios
Photocopiers
- Photocopying equipment
Notebook computers
- Laptop computers
Laser printers
- Computer laser printers
Special purpose telephones
- Multi-line telephone systems

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Building and Construction
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

128 Active Jobs in South Africa

Avg Salary: R47,196pm

Are You Ready to Shape the Future of South African Infrastructure? A Guide to Transportation Engineering

As South Africa continues to expand its urban hubs and upgrade national networks like the N1 and N3 corridors, the demand for skilled Transportation Engineers has never been higher. Currently, there are 144 active job openings in the sector, with an average salary of R47,196pm. Market data indicates a robust upward trajectory in remuneration; starting at R41,532 in early 2024, the industry has seen a steady climb to a projected average of R51,916 by December 2024. If you have a passion for logistics, urban planning, and structural integrity, this may be your ideal career path.

Is Transportation Engineering Right for Me? (Psychometric Checklist)

Success in this field requires a specific blend of analytical rigour and spatial reasoning. Consider if you possess the following traits:

Analytical Problem-Solving: Do you enjoy deconstructing complex systems to find the most efficient route or solution?
Spatial Awareness: Can you visualise how physical structures and traffic flows interact within a three-dimensional environment?
Meticulous Attention to Detail: Are you committed to precision, particularly when it involves public safety and structural standards?
Environmental Consciousness: Do you have an interest in sustainable transport solutions and reducing the carbon footprint of South African commuters?
Collaborative Spirit: Are you comfortable working in multi-disciplinary teams, including town planners, environmental consultants, and government officials?
Technical Aptitude: Do you have a natural affinity for mathematics, physics, and computer-aided design (CAD) software?

A Day in the Life of a South African Transportation Engineer

In the South African context, your day is rarely confined to an office. You might start your morning at a construction site in Midrand or Durban, overseeing the implementation of a new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane or inspecting pavement quality. By midday, you are likely back at your desk, utilising sophisticated modelling software to simulate traffic flow patterns for a proposed shopping centre or a new housing development.

Communication is a cornerstone of the role. You will spend time liaising with stakeholders from SANRAL or provincial departments of transport to ensure projects align with national safety regulations. Your afternoons might involve drafting technical reports or attending public hearings to explain how a new interchange will benefit the local community. It is a high-stakes environment where your decisions directly impact the daily commute and safety of thousands of citizens.

Education & Upskilling: Your Roadmap to Success

To enter this profession in South Africa, a solid educational foundation is non-negotiable. Most practitioners hold a BSc or BEng in Civil Engineering from a university accredited by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). Alternatively, a Bachelor of Engineering Technology or an Advanced Diploma from a TVET college or University of Technology can provide a more practical entry point into the sector.

However, a degree is only the beginning. The industry evolves rapidly with new technologies like smart traffic lights and autonomous vehicle infrastructure. To remain competitive, you must embrace continuous professional development (CPD). This involves:

Specialised Certifications: Short courses in Project Management (PMP) or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are highly valued.
Professional Registration: Working towards becoming a Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) or Professional Engineering Technologist (Pr Tech Eng) with ECSA is essential for career progression and higher salary brackets.
Software Mastery: Regularly upskilling in the latest versions of Civil 3D, SIDRA Intersections, or VISSIM.

Next Steps

Transportation Engineering is more than just a job; it is a commitment to building a more connected and efficient South Africa. If the combination of technical challenge and public service resonates with you, it is time to take the next step in your professional journey. Your analytical mind could be the key to solving our nation's most pressing congestion and logistics hurdles. Test your readiness now by taking our comprehensive career assessment to see if you are truly prepared to lead the way in South African infrastructure.

Skills

Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Abilities

Category Flexibility
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

Bachelor's degree

77 %
Associate's degree

9 %
Post-baccalaureate certificate

9 %

Awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree, but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master

Work Activities

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Detailed Work Activities

Design civil structures or systems.
Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.
Prepare technical or operational reports.
Prepare detailed work plans.
Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.

Work Interests

Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.