Assist Project Engineer
State of Washington
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) seeks two Assistant Project Engineers to support the Eastern Region Construction Offices in Spokane, WA. You will assist the Project Engineer to deliver highway construction projects, leading multidisciplinary teams and overseeing work from planning through completion.
The role combines office and field work with leadership responsibilities, technical decision‑making, and broad coordination across stakeholders.
Qualifications
- PE license required or the ability to obtain in one year.
- Experience guiding multidisciplinary teams on transportation projects.
- Strong decision-making and supervision of construction delivery.
Responsibilities
- Plan and manage project budgets, schedules, and workforce needs.
- Lead engineers, technicians, interns, and consultants on multiple projects.
- Communicate, negotiate, and resolve contract issues and change orders.
- Coordinate with design teams to ensure constructability and alignment.
- Ensure compliance with policies, environmental requirements, and standards.
- Report project status to leadership and stakeholders.
- Coordinate with internal/external parties to resolve issues and maintain progress.
- Review and approve construction changes using engineering judgment.
Skills
Education
Job description
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT leads an award‑winning Active Transportation Plan, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation.
WSDOT is currently seeking two Assistant Project Engineers to support the Eastern Region Construction Offices in Spokane, WA. In these roles, you will help deliver highway construction projects that improve safety, mobility, and reliability for communities across Washington. As an Assistant Project Engineer, you will partner with the Project Engineer to lead multidisciplinary teams and oversee construction projects from planning through completion. Your work ensures projects are delivered in alignment with scope, schedule, and budget while meeting state and federal requirements. By applying sound engineering judgment, resolving complex issues, and maintaining accountability throughout construction, you directly support WSDOT’s mission to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation systems that serve the public now and into the future. You will also serve as a key leader within the project office—coordinating with internal teams, contractors, and external partners.
This role combines office and field work and includes leadership responsibilities, technical decision-making, and coordination across a wide range of stakeholders.
- Plan and manage project budgets, schedules, and workforce needs to deliver construction programs.
- Lead and support engineers, technicians, interns, and consultants delivering multiple transportation projects.
- Communicate, negotiate, and resolve contract issues, disputes, and change orders.
- Coordinate with design teams during project development to ensure alignment and constructability.
- Ensure projects are delivered in compliance with WSDOT policies, environmental requirements, and contract standards.
- Report project status and key updates to regional and executive leadership.
- Coordinate with internal teams, external agencies, contractors, and the public to resolve issues and maintain progress.
- Review and approve construction changes and certify compliance with engineering standards using professional engineering judgment.
To be considered for this opportunity, the following competencies are required:
- Professional Engineering Licensure and Stamping Authority: Registration as a Licensed Professional Civil Engineer or the ability to obtain a Washington State PE license within one year of the hiring date. Ability to demonstrate and apply licensed professional engineering judgment, including responsible use of stamping authority in compliance with established standards and policies.
- Transportation Engineering Knowledge: Understanding of transportation engineering practices and multiple disciplines, including design, construction, traffic, geotechnical, structural, hydraulics, environmental, and materials.
- Engineering Decision-Making: Ability to interpret plans, specifications, and contracts to make sound, defensible decisions in construction and project delivery.
- Project Delivery and Resource Management: Ability to manage teams, schedules, and resources to deliver projects within scope, schedule, and budget.
- Leadership and Team Development: Ability to lead, mentor, and support multidisciplinary teams, including guiding performance and development.
- Collaboration and Inclusion: Ability to build effective working relationships and contribute to a respectful, inclusive work environment.
- Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
- Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.
- A valid driver’s license and the ability to operate state-owned vehicles.
- Ability to safely navigate active construction sites, including uneven terrain and exposure to hazards.
- Complex Project Management: Experience managing highway construction projects, including contract administration, dispute resolution, and risk management.
- Advanced Leadership Experience: Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams on large or complex transportation projects.
- Executive Communication: Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to leadership, stakeholders, and the public.
- Process Improvement: Experience contributing to or leading efforts that improve project delivery, efficiency, or organizational effectiveness.
- This recruitment will be used to fill two vacancies, and may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
- This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
- In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code.
- WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov
- Work-Life Balance – We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle. As such, there are a number of flexible schedule options available, including telework options for eligible positions.
- Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees may earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year!
- Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.
- Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information.
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax‑deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long‑term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre‑tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well‑being of employees.
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre‑tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Full‑time and part‑time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full‑time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 non‑overtime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part‑time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro‑rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full‑time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Full‑time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part‑time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Full‑time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357‑31‑165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full‑time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 non‑overtime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part‑time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357‑31‑165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro‑rate basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357‑58‑175, an employer may authorize a lump‑sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357‑31‑165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
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