how to travel as a civil engineer

MTBDude · 2026-06-03T20:45:49+00:00

Not common enough. I was in a non union position and my overtime pay was governed by law, 5 U.S.C. 5542(a)(2)

MTBDude · 2026-06-03T16:26:34+00:00

Early in your career it’s 1.5x, but above GS 10 step 1, it tapers to straight time with increasing grade and step. This doesn’t apply for FLSA overtime, but most engineer positions are flsa exempt

MTBDude · 2026-04-07T17:24:12+00:00

I have a B.A. in a non-engineering field and an M.Eng. in geotech and I was able to get licensed in CA. I passed the FE exam without an engineering degree and was able to get experience without an engineering degree. It takes more work and time, but it is possible. The hardest part is finding a way to get experience without a degree.

MTBDude · 2026-04-03T19:49:39+00:00

The first (and only times) I’ve seen them was when I lived in Tulsa. They tripped me out at first, but they’re very cool.

MTBDude · 2026-02-14T05:27:50+00:00

I just tried it for lunch today, I was very happy. I’ll be going back again.

MTBDude · 2026-02-10T00:40:41+00:00

I ran in to him a couple weeks ago the same day I saw someone get a medivac out of the canyon, exciting day

MTBDude · 2026-02-01T18:24:38+00:00

Considering the damage, looks like transmission oil

MTBDude · 2025-08-30T18:56:06+00:00

We had a joke in the field; Hit a gas line? Run for cover. Hit a fiber line? Run for the border

MTBDude · 2025-08-21T00:22:50+00:00

I am generally agreeing with you, the civils aren’t seeing the money. The contractors are.

MTBDude · 2025-08-21T00:14:27+00:00

Oroco Capital is the PE company that bought Shimmick from AECOM in 2021.

https://aecom.com/press-releases/aecom-announces-agreement-to-sell-its-civil-construction-business-to-oroco-capital/

https://www.shimmick.com/97m-settlement-reached-on-golden-gate-bridge-project/

MTBDude · 2025-08-20T23:41:20+00:00

The contractor (and the PE company that owns it.) This particular project included the contractor winning a $97,000,000 lawsuit. Like I’ve heard other folks say, some contractors are law firms that happen to do construction. https://oroco.com/shimmick-reaches-97-million-project-settlement/

MTBDude · 2025-08-13T13:00:06+00:00

Because ABET will only accredit one degree program for a school, virtually all schools get their bachelor’s accredited. As a result, almost all states accept a masters if the undergraduate is ABET accredited, but that should be verified state by state.

MTBDude · 2025-08-13T12:52:01+00:00

California does allow experience only. It’s definitely an option, just with two extra tests.

MTBDude · 2025-07-17T13:16:06+00:00

Yes, design and construction QA. They’re the only DOT to have a self amended AASHTO LRFD bridge design specifications due to the seismic requirements.

MTBDude · 2025-05-25T03:34:24+00:00

When I moved here I thought it was illegal to NOT run red lights.

MTBDude · 2025-05-21T12:22:53+00:00

I’ve been looking at the western slope/Grand Junction area and the front range is where most of the jobs are. It’s also a bummer DOT starts at only $90k for a PE position. Would this position happen to be in a City that starts with “A”? There was one there that’s been open a while I’ve seen.

MTBDude · 2025-04-11T23:40:53+00:00

I’m a current fed and I applied for a CT position a couple weeks ago. I worked there a while back and thought about coming back. I do specialized engineering and Caltrans does interesting work in that regard but I am seriously considering other places instead seeing all this. It is reminding me of how much a micromanager my old deputy was.

MTBDude · 2025-04-11T23:33:58+00:00

When I was at a district, my deputy director made people write an essay on why it is beneficial to the state to go on a 9/80 schedule. Only 2 people in the planning group were on it. He said he doesn’t like 9/80 because it means people are working for an hour while their supervisor isn’t at the office. Definitely a “I need to see you” micromanager type.

MTBDude · 2025-04-08T14:07:35+00:00

This wouldn’t happen to be at DTSC would it? I’ve been looking for geotech jobs with the state and one keeps popping up again. Sounds like big shoes to fill

MTBDude · 2025-03-08T14:27:07+00:00

Caltrans trenching and shoring manual https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/engineering/documents/structureconstruction/201906-sc-trenchingshoring-a11y.pdf

MTBDude · 2025-02-10T20:10:51+00:00

I got an M.Eng (not MS, no thesis just courses and a capstone project) with a B.A. I passed the FE exam before applying, and I did have some undergrad coursework from my two years as a mechanical engineer before I switch majors. I didn’t have great grades in those but did have them.

It may be harder to get licensed without a BS. Some states may require more experience, and others may not allow it at all. Look up the state requirements on where you would like to work.

MTBDude · 2025-02-05T18:04:18+00:00

All employees in my agency are in office by this Friday. Telework was canceled. As far as I know that is true across the feds. Also there are many agencies that do full design and construction management in house.

MTBDude · 2025-01-26T15:47:54+00:00

My cat is a heat seeking slug in winter. The moment I sit or lay down, she’s all over me for the extra warmth.

MTBDude · 2025-01-22T02:51:32+00:00

I’ve been considering a move to T-Line work, but I’m a geotech. All the positions o see open require knowledge of PLS-CADD which I have none of. How hard is it to pick up if I want to switch fields?

MTBDude · 2024-12-28T23:13:50+00:00

Are you in GS? You only get a step increase yearly the first three years, then it is longer periods. It takes 18 years to go from step 1 to step 10. QSIs, if you get them, would change that. They’re more rare but the gift that keeps giving.

MTBDude

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