Traffic Operations Team Leader

Ardurra is seeking a Traffic Operations Team Leader to join our Central Region Traffic Engineering Team in Houston, TX ! This role provides technical leadership, practice growth, and strategic direction for Ardurra’s traffic engineering and transportation safety services across the region. Ardurra is a multidisciplinary civil engineering services firm delivering practical, innovative solutions to public- and private-sector clients. Our traffic engineering practice supports a wide range of complex programs, including HSIP and systemic safety projects, TSMO and ITS initiatives, traffic signalization and timing, MOT/POT, and signing and pavement marking design. Recent work includes statewide safety programs, City of Houston HSIP projects, and Safe Routes to School programs for Harris County, TX, among other high-visibility traffic operations efforts. Primary Responsibilities Practice & Market Leadership Lead and coordinate traffic engineering and traffic operations growth initiatives across the Central Region Partner with Ardurra leadership to define and execute strategic expansion plans for the traffic practice, including staffing, technical capabilities, and geographic growth Help identify, pursue, win, and support successful delivery of traffic engineering projects by understanding client needs and positioning Ardurra’s capabilities accordingly Collaborate with Ardurra leadership and the marketing team to identify key pursuits and growth markets, including safety, traffic operations, TSMO, and ITS programs Support pursuit efforts through pre-positioning, technical strategy development, and quality assurance of proposals and interviews Lead the development of strategies and tactics that enhance Ardurra’s visibility and reputation as a trusted traffic engineering and safety partner May serve as Client Service Manager for designated key clients, maintaining long-term relationships and identifying follow-on opportunities Technical & Operational Leadership Provide senior technical oversight and subject-matter leadership for traffic engineering projects, including: Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) and systemic safety initiatives Traffic Safety Studies and Action Plans Traffic Signal Design, Timing, and Optimization Traffic Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) planning and design Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) and Protection of Traffic (POT) Signing, pavement marking, and traffic control design Serve as a technical resource for complex, high-visibility, or multi-agency projects, ensuring consistency with MUTCD, state, and local standards Provide technical guidance on traffic operations, safety analysis, work zone traffic control, and systems integration Support project managers and technical staff with scope definition, staffing strategies, and technical risk management Team Development & Mentorship Guide and mentor engineers, planners, project managers, and technical staff to support career development and technical excellence Foster a collaborative team environment that encourages innovation, accountability, and quality delivery Support succession planning and development of future technical and practice leaders Essential Skills And Abilities Strategic thinker with the ability to balance technical excellence, market needs, and organizational goals Ability to maintain awareness of federal funding programs, state transportation priorities, and evolving traffic operations practices Strong ability to represent the organization and maintain effective relationships with DOTs, cities, counties, MPOs, and public stakeholders Proven ability to mentor and develop project managers, assistant project managers, planners, and technical staff Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present effectively to clients, agency leadership, and internal executives Demonstrated creativity, foresight, and mature judgment in planning, organizing, and guiding practice growth Qualifications And Education Requirements Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or related field from an ABET-accredited program 15+ years of experience in traffic and transportation engineering, with demonstrated expertise in traffic operations, safety, and systems Professional Engineer (PE) license required; Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (PTOE) strongly preferred Experience with HSIP, traffic safety, TSMO, ITS, traffic signal systems, MOT/POT, and signing/marking design S