Assistant Project Engineer (WMS2) | Multiple

State of Washington Dept. of Transportation; Shoreline (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Paid leave and holidays

Tuition assistance

State retirement options

Job summary

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) seeks multiple Assistant Project Engineers to support highway design and construction across the Northwest Region. You will assist the Project Engineer to ensure projects meet standards while staying within scope, schedule, and budget.

You will help advance safe, sustainable transportation by leading staff, coordinating design and contract development, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws.

Qualifications

• Licensed Civil Engineer in WA or eligible for WA licensure within 6 months.
• Extensive transportation engineering experience including design, construction, and surveying.
• Experience leading projects through planning, environmental review, design, and construction.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects within time and budget constraints.
• Budgeting and programming knowledge across project phases.
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and accountability.
• Strong problem solving, decision making, and stakeholder collaboration.
• Excellent communication with internal teams, contractors, and public.
• Commitment to diversity and an inclusive environment.
• Growth mindset and service orientation.

Responsibilities

• Assist Project Engineer in budgeting, schedules, and workforce planning to deliver CIP projects.
• Lead staff, interns, and consultants in design and contract development.
• Manage projects to meet scope, schedule, and budget with proper documentation.
• Ensure compliance with environmental laws, standards, and policies.
• Collaborate with officials, contractors, and the public to support transportation goals.
• Coordinate input and resolve issues among teams and external partners.
• Report project status to regional executives to support decision making.
• Certify design documents when the Project Engineer is absent.

Skills

Budgeting

Scheduling

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Problem solving

Collaboration

Safety compliance

Education

Civil PE license

Tools

AutoCAD

PS&E software

Job description

About WSDOT

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!

The Opportunity

WSDOT is currently seeking multiple Assistant Project Engineers to support the delivery of highway design and construction projects throughout the Northwest Region. In this role, you will assist and act on behalf of the Project Engineer to ensure projects meet local, state, and federal standards while remaining within established scope, schedule, and budget. These positions play key roles in delivering projects that are constructible, maintainable, well-integrated into the surrounding environment, and responsive to all modes of transportation while minimizing impacts to the traveling public. The successful candidates will help advance safe, sustainable, efficient, innovative, and lean transportation practices throughout project delivery.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Assistant Project Engineer will:

• Assist the Project Engineer in strategically planning budgets, schedules, and workforce needs to successfully deliver the Capital Improvement and Preservation Program (CIPP).
• Lead professional and technical engineering staff, interns, temporary employees, and consultants in the design and contract development of transportation improvement and preservation projects.
• Manage assigned projects in accordance with WSDOT policies and procedures to meet established scope, schedule, budget, and documentation requirements.
• Ensure projects comply with applicable environmental laws, engineering standards, policies, and sound engineering practices.
• Collaborate with citizens, elected officials, contractors, outside agencies, media, and other partners to support the delivery of an efficient transportation system.
• Coordinate input and resolve project-related issues and conflicts among internal teams, consultants, outside agencies, and the public.
• Report project status, progress, and performance to regional and statewide WSDOT executive management to support accountability and informed decision‑making.
• Certify design documents, contract plans, specifications, and construction changes using a Professional Engineer’s stamp in the Project Engineer’s absence, ensuring compliance with WSDOT standards and policies.

Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:

• Professional Engineering Certification: Licensed as a Civil Professional Engineer in the state of Washington, or currently holding a Civil PE license from another state with the ability to obtain Washington State licensure within six (6) months of hire.
• Civil Engineering Expertise: Extensive experience applying transportation engineering principles, including highway design, construction practices, and surveying. Proficient in preparing and reviewing plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) for complex highway and transportation infrastructure projects.
• Transportation Design & Delivery: Experience leading transportation projects through planning, environmental review, design, and construction. Familiar with transportation system design, environmental compliance, and state and federal project delivery processes.
• Project Management & Scheduling: Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and deliver multiple projects on time and within budget. Skilled in developing work plans, coordinating team efforts, and managing schedules.
• Budgeting & Programming: Experience managing budgets across multiple phases of project development, with a working knowledge of programming and funding processes.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and coach engineering staff. Skilled in setting clear expectations, providing feedback, and fostering a culture of accountability and performance.
• Problem Solving & Decision‑Making: Proven ability to identify issues, evaluate options, and implement practical solutions. Skilled in conflict resolution and facilitating constructive dialogue.
• Effective Communication & Collaboration: Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills to engage internal teams, contractors, stakeholders, and the public. Capable of representing the agency in meetings and on project sites.
• Respect & Inclusivity: Ability to contribute to a respectful, inclusive, and equitable work environment. Demonstrated experience working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, identities, and perspectives.

• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service‑Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.

In addition to the above, the following are also required:

• Ability to traverse rough, steep, and uneven terrain.
• Ability and willingness to be available 24/7 to respond to emergencies and emergent operational issues, as needed.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Project Delivery Methods: Experience designing and procuring transportation projects using design‑build and design‑bid‑build delivery methods, in accordance with applicable engineering standards, policies, and procedures.

• FHWA Process Knowledge: Familiarity with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) processes, procedures, and requirements for delivering federally funded transportation projects. Ability to ensure compliance with federal stewardship obligations, documentation, and reporting standards.
• Change Management: Demonstrated knowledge and experience managing organizational or project‑level change. Ability to lead teams through transitions in scope, structure, policy, or project delivery approach using effective change management strategies.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• The salary listed includes the legislative approved 5% salary premium for positions in King County.
• 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.

Why WSDOT

• 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.
• 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.

Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT?

Contact Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at [e-mail]. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-NWR-1W245m in the subject line.