Applied Research Associates, Inc. logo

Staff Civil Engineering Technician

Applied Research Associates, Inc.

Madison, WIFull-time$25–30/hrSeen todaySeen in employer's feed today

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At a glance

Compensation
$25–30/hr
Location
Madison, WI
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Job overview

Applied Research Associates seeks full-time engineering technicians for pavement testing and transportation infrastructure data collection projects across the U.S. The role involves operating data collection systems, learning equipment operation and maintenance, and processing and analyzing data in the office. Technicians can expect to travel about 50% of the time. No previous pavement testing experience is needed; mechanical and GIS aptitude are preferred.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

CommunicationAttention to DetailFlexibilityDrivingOffice SoftwareMechanical AptitudeGIS Aptitude

Qualifications

High School Diploma or EquivalentMust Be 21+Pass DOT PhysicalValid U.S. Passport

Full job description

Description

Become an ARA Road Warrior! We are looking for bright, motivated individuals to join our team. Full-time opportunities are available in multiple locations across the U.S.

Our engineering technicians participate in an environment of continuous learning, with new challenges in ARA’s pursuit of technical excellence.

No previous pavement testing experience is needed. Applicants should possess good communication skills, strong attention to detail, flexibility, and a willingness to learn and be challenged.

What you will do as an engineering technician:

  • Participate in pavement testing and other transportation infrastructure data collection projects throughout the U.S. Overall, engineering technicians may expect to travel about 50% of the time and be in the office 50% of the time, with travel generally being heavier in the spring/summer and lighter in the winter.

  • Learn operation, calibration, and maintenance of modern data collection equipment.

  • Drive or operate van- or trailer-mounted data collections systems (deflection testing, ground penetrating radar, pavement coring, pavement friction testing).

  • Perform office-based tasks such as processing, comparing, and analyzing data using proprietary tools, Microsoft Excel, etc.

Engineering technician requirements:

  • High school diploma or equivalent.

  • Must be at least 21 years of age and able to pass a DOT physical.

  • Excellent driving skills and willingness to drive pickup trucks and vans, sometimes with trailers; must be able to drive long distances and work in a vehicle for long periods of time.

  • Willing to travel, occasionally for weeks at a time.

  • Flexible schedule that will include working some weekends and nights, with overtime hours when needed. Must have reliable transportation to/from the office that accommodates the need for flexibility.

  • Working knowledge of basic office software such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Preferred:

  • Mechanical aptitude and GIS aptitude are preferred.

  • Valid U.S. passport and interest/availability to travel to projects outside the U.S. desired but not required.

The anticipated wage range for this position is $25-30/hr, depending on experience and location, and premium overtime is paid for hours over 40 in a week. ARA also offers competitive benefits that address our employees’ needs now and in the future. Learn more about each of our benefits at https://www.ara.com/benefits/ .

About ARA:

ARA is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs more than 2,000 professionals and continues to grow. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in civil technologies, computer software and simulation, defense technologies, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for pavement analysis, environmental site characterization, and robotics.

ARA embraces the core values of passion, freedom, service, and growth. We provide a working environment in which highly qualified technical professionals can pursue their specialties with a maximum of support and a minimum of bureaucracy. These individuals form a network of colleagues with complementary capabilities, similar goals, and a willingness to cooperate on challenging and important technical problems. We strive for long-term associations among our staff and with our clients.

We recognize that employee ownership spawns greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.

How this job compares

Set against the 1,918 open Engineering Technician jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 7, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$25–30/hr
  • US median$32–45/hr774 hourly ranges

This range's midpoint, $27.50/hr, is 31% below the US median midpoint ($40/hr) — in the lowest quarter of Engineering Technician hourly ranges across the US.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 50 open Engineering Technician jobs in Wisconsin and 1,918 across the US. Under 1% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Wisconsin
Experience
Engineering Technician postings that state a minimum ask for 2 years of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 2 to 5 years (1,457 postings).
Education
This posting asks for a high school diploma; 732 of the 1,918 open Engineering Technician jobs (38%) ask for a high school diploma or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 7, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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