Introduction

Join the team that moves Connecticut forward! Make an
impaCT by serving your State.
Read below and apply today!

Hanging traffic light with green lights illuminated, set against a brick and white stone building with arched and rectangular windows.
Current students who will be graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering by the end of May 2026 are strongly encouraged to apply!
(Please see the Preferred Qualifications section for more information regarding preferred majors)
The State
of Connecticut Department
of Transportation (DOT) is now accepting applications for a Field
Electrical Engineer Trainee (Engineer Trainee) position with a target class of Design Engineer 1 (Electrical) in the Bureau of
Engineering and Construction, Division of Traffic, in the Signal Laboratory in
Rocky Hill, CT.
WE CAN OFFER YOU
- Visit
our new State
Employee Benefits Overview page!
- Professional
growth and development opportunities.
- A
healthy work/life balance to all employees.
- Join
an award- winning agency! CTDOT was recently awarded the Employer of the
Year award by the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers (CSCE)
and named the Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS) CT Employer of the Year for 2024!
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
- Full
time, 40 hours per week
- Monday
through Friday
- First
shift
- Office/On-site
- P-4
(Engineering and Scientific) bargaining unit
*SALARY NOTE: New hires to State service start in Salary Group FS 18,
step 5, currently $72,629/year.
THE ROLE
Field Electrical Engineer Trainees receive training to
develop technical skills for designing, supporting, and repairing traffic
signal electronic equipment for the DOT's over 2,500 signalized
intersections. As technical skills are developed during the course of the
development period, duties will include:
- Developing
and implementing traffic signal system timing plans
- Reviewing
shop drawings and signal design layout plans prepared both by the
Department and private sector engineers
- Maintaining
signal equipment in the field to ensure continued operation of the State's
traffic signal systems
- Other
related duties as assigned
POSITION DETAILS
The Field Electrical Engineer Trainee will have a
development program of one to three years. The length of the development
program is determined by the education and experience of the selected
applicant. The selected applicant must meet the minimum qualifications
for Design Engineer 1 (Electrical) by the end of the
development program.
A selected applicant with a bachelor's degree in the
electrical engineering field will have a one-year development program. A
selected applicant without a bachelor’s degree in the electrical engineering
field will have a development program of between one and three years, depending
on the length and type of their experience and education.
Upon successful completion of the development program, the
selected applicant will be promoted to the target class of Design Engineer 1 (Electrical). With continued successful
performance as a Design Engineer 1 (Electrical) for one year, the
incumbent will be promoted to Design Engineer 2 (Electrical).
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be available to travel for training,
conferences, meetings, field reviews, etc. both within and outside of normal
working hours, when necessary. A valid driver's license is required and must be
maintained.
APPLICATION DETAILS
Please list your Driver's license number, expiration date,
and issuing State, Engineer in Training (EIT) license number if applicable, and
any other job-relevant licenses or certifications you hold in the Licenses and
Professional Certifications section of your application.
WHO WE ARE
As one of Connecticut's largest State agencies, DOT employs
approximately 3,300 individuals statewide in five bureaus. It is the DOT's
mission to improve lives through transportation. We have a significant
transportation infrastructure system that is essential to maintaining mobility
for Connecticut residents and businesses and supporting economic and community
development while preserving environmental and cultural resources. The
Department of Transportation is committed to cultivating a diverse staff that
is representative of the communities we serve. Applications from individuals
having diverse backgrounds and life experiences are strongly encouraged.
Learn more about our mission, vision, and values by
clicking here!
Selection Plan
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.
BEFORE YOU APPLY:
- Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
- Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
- Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
- Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
- Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov (Opens in a New Window).
- Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
- Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.
AFTER YOU APPLY:
- Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
- Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
- Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
- Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
- The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
- Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Sharon McIntosh at Sharon.McIntosh@ct.gov (Opens in a New Window).
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In a state agency this class is accountable for receiving training in introductory professional engineering work for the development of technical and professional engineering skills and knowledge in order to qualify for advancement to the technical engineering work of the agency.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Performs a wide variety of increasingly difficult duties as technical skills are acquired during course of training period.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
- Knowledge of basic engineering theories, principles and methods;
- Skill in the use of drafting and calculating instruments;
- Considerable ability to perform mathematical computations, making neat and accurate drawings and preparing minor design and structural details;
- Ability to utilize computer software.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Candidates must be able to meet the experience and training requirements of the designated job class at the completion of the development program.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
In addition to the degrees listed below, we prefer experience through employment, coursework, internship, or volunteer work in the following areas:
- Accredited bachelor’s or master’s degree in Electrical or Electronics Engineering, Electrical or Electronics Engineering Technology, Computer and Electronic Engineering Technology, Electromechanical Engineering Technology, or closely related major
- Experience with engineering or maintenance of electronic equipment
- Experience with interpreting traffic signal plans and wiring diagrams
- Experience with networking protocol, Internet Protocol (IP) addressing, communication equipment, and IP over Ethernet
- Experience using Bluebeam and Office 365 tools
- Experience with technical documents such as design specifications or instruction manuals
- Experience providing customer service and support
- Experience providing verbal and written communication to teammates and stakeholders of all levels
Conclusion
AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.