Lead Road Pavement Materials Engineer

Job Description

Role – Lead Road Pavement Materials Engineer

Duty Station(s) – Addis Ababa

Seniority Level – Mid Level

Job Highlight

This role offers an opportunity to contribute to the development of resilient, climate-adaptive, and cost-efficient road infrastructure. The position involves advanced pavement engineering, material optimization, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams within a leading international organization.

Role Purpose

Reporting to the Senior Project Manager-Infrastructure, the Pavement Engineer will lead the investigation, design, and specification of pavement systems, including subgrade, subbase, base, and surfacing layers, ensuring that designs are technically sound, cost-effective, and compliant with UNOPS and international standards.

The contractor will be engaged on a retainer basis and will be required to provide services as and when needed.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Pavement Investigation, Site Assessment, and Material Evaluation

• Assess project sites
• Lead geotechnical and pavement-related site investigations, including field surveys and interpretation of laboratory test results.
• Assess subgrade conditions, including strength (CBR, modulus), moisture content, and variability.
• Evaluate material sources (quarries, borrow pits) for suitability, quality, and availability.
• Review existing pavement conditions (for rehabilitation projects) and identify failure mechanisms.
• Define key design input parameters based on traffic, soil, and environmental conditions.

2.Road Cross-Section/Pavement Design

• Lead the design of full pavement cross-sections, including subgrade, subbase, base, and surfacing layers.
• Determine layer thicknesses and structural composition based on:
  • Traffic loading (ESALs, axle loads)
  • Subgrade strength and material properties
  • Design life and performance requirements
  • Environmental and climatic conditions
• Develop pavement design calculations, models, and assumptions.
• Prepare pavement cross-section drawings and typical details.

Apply recognized design standards and methodologies (ERA, AASHTO, mechanistic-empirical approaches, and national standards).

3. Pavement Material Selection, Mix Design, and Specifications

• Select suitable materials for each pavement layer considering:
  • Climate conditions (temperature, rainfall, UV exposure)
  • Traffic loading and durability requirements
  • Local material availability and constructability
• Develop detailed technical specifications for:
  • Sub-grade improvement and stabilization
  • sub base and base materials
  • Asphalt and concrete materials
• Define material requirements including grading, strength, durability, and moisture resistance.
• Lead and review asphalt and concrete mix designs, ensuring compliance with performance requirements.
• Optimize material combinations for durability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental suitability.
• Ensure compliance with international (ASTM, AASHTO, BS) and national standards.

Skills

AutoCAD, Geo-technical Engineering, Pavement Engineering, Reporting.

Education Requirements

Required

• An advanced University Degree (Master’s) degree in Transportation Engineering, Geo-technical Engineering, or related field.
• A first University Degree (Bachelor’s) in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, or related field will be considered with additional 2 years of work experience.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Minimum 5 years of experience in pavement, material, transport engineering.
• Practicing professional Highway Pavement/Material Engineer licence

Desired

• Experience working with international standards
• Experience in construction supervision of road works
• Experience in:
• Pavement cross-section design
• Material selection and specification
• Asphalt and/or concrete mix design
• Laboratory and field testing
• Experience in the preparation of: Drawings, Design reports, technical specifications and BoQs
• Experience using pavement design tools and software

Language Requirements

• Fluent.
• Amharic, Fluent.

Offer

This role offers an opportunity to contribute to the development of resilient, climate-adaptive, and cost-efficient road infrastructure. The position involves advanced pavement engineering, material optimization, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams within a leading international organization