Manager of Transportation Engineering

NOACA is seeking a Manager of Transportation Engineering in Cleveland, OH, to lead innovative transportation planning and engineering initiatives. This full-time leadership role involves supervising staff, managing transportation projects, and collaborating with various partners to enhance mobility and safety in Northeast Ohio. Candidates should have a degree in civil engineering, relevant experience, and strong leadership skills. The position emphasizes servant leadership and community impact.
Join the Region’s Innovation Engine — Become NOACA’s Next Manager of Transportation Engineering!


The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) is where big ideas meet real-world impact. As the Metropolitan Planning Organization and Areawide Water Quality Management Agency for a dynamic five-county region of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, and Medina Counties, NOACA leads the charge in designing smarter, safer, more sustainable transportation systems for 2.1 million residents.


We are looking for a visionary, technically exceptional, people-centered Manager of Transportation Engineering to help shape the future of mobility in Northeast Ohio.


About the Role:


The Manager of Transportation Engineering is a key leader in driving some of the region’s most important and innovative transportation planning and engineering initiatives.


You will:


• Provide leadership, development, and supervision to engineering and planning staff


• Design, manage, and deliver advanced transportation planning and traffic engineering projects


• Lead programs in community-level traffic operations, transportation safety, and signal timing optimization; Intelligent Transportation Systems and planning for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles


• Oversee the Transportation Asset Management Program, which focuses on pavement and bridge condition analyses and prioritization reports


• Build and manage project work plans, budgets, and new initiatives that expand the Division’s capabilities


• Conduct advanced research and analysis, producing high-quality reports and recommendations


• Collaborate with federal, state, regional, and local partners, including USDOT, ODOT, local governments, consultants, and NOACA staff


This is a full-time, FLSA-exempt leadership position that plays a central role in improving mobility, safety, and quality of life across Northeast Ohio.


Leadership Philosophy — Servant Leadership Accountability:


At NOACA, leadership is not about authority—it’s about service. The Manager of Transportation Engineering is expected to lead with NOACA’s Servant Leadership Accountability approach, which means:


• Creating psychological safety and trust


• Coaching, developing, and empowering staff


• Listening first, acting thoughtfully, and supporting team success


• Holding yourself and others accountable with transparency and fairness


• Modeling humility, respect, and ethical decision-making


If you are energized by helping others excel while delivering outstanding technical work, you will thrive here.


Minimum Requirements


• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related field and 10 years of relevant transportation or traffic engineering experience


• Master’s degree may substitute for one year of experience; PhD for an additional year


• Ohio Professional Engineer (PE) licensure preferred


• Experience with traffic engineering simulation software preferred


• Familiarity with Highway Safety Manual standards (AASHTO) preferred


• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office


• Strong research, data analysis, communication, and organizational skills


• Proven leadership and people-management abilities


• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.


Compensation & Benefits


• Salary: $88,894.85 – $113,340.94 (commensurate with education, experience, and certification)


• Generous paid time off including 12 holidays plus vacation, sick leave, and personal time


• Comprehensive health benefits including medical, vision, dental, and prescription coverage


• Employer-sponsored life insurance


• Participation in Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS)


• Support for professional development, certifications, and memberships


• Additional voluntary benefits


Work Environment


NOACA offers a hybrid work model, including:


• Telecommuting on Mondays


• 18 additional flexible telecommute days per year


If you are motivated by purpose, thrive in collaboration, and possess both the technical depth and leadership heart to guide transformational transportation work, we want to meet you.


Join us. Lead with service. Engineer the future.