Bridge Engineer 7 - Washington State Ferries

State of Washington Dept. of Transportation; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible/hybrid remote work options

Job summary

Washington State Ferries (WSF), a division of WSDOT, seeks a Structures Manager to lead the Structural Engineering Group ensuring safety, resilience, and reliability of terminal structures for ferry operations.

You will guide engineering professionals, set design criteria, and oversee analyses, staffing, and project delivery in a hybrid work environment, supporting WSF’s values and strategic priorities.

Qualifications

• Growth Mindset: commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
• Service-Oriented: willingness to serve others and build trust.
• Leadership and Talent Development: lead structural engineering staff and develop employees.
• Communication: convey complex concepts clearly to diverse audiences.
• Problem Solving and Decision Making: anticipate challenges and craft practical solutions.
• Structural Engineering Expertise: knowledge of structural/bridge engineering and codes.
• Structural Inspection and Regulatory Compliance: NBIS, AASHTO, building codes.
• Professional Credential: current WA Licensed Civil Engineer and Structural Engineer.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Structural Engineering Group in evaluating, maintaining, and improving safety, reliability, and resilience of terminal structures.
• Oversee analyses, load ratings, PS&E development, and QA for capital and maintenance projects.
• Manage staffing, project assignments, scheduling, consultant use, and staff development.
• Establish structural engineering policies, design criteria, and resilience strategies (seismic, tsunami, sea level rise).
• Direct programs and ensure compliance with applicable standards and regulatory requirements.
• Manage consultant contracts, scopes of work, budgets, schedules, and deliverables.
• Evaluate structural capacity, implement operational restrictions, provide technical oversight.
• Uphold WSF’s priorities and values in the culture through leadership actions.

Skills

Growth mindset

Service oriented

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Structural engineering

NBIS knowledge

Bridge engineering

Education

Professional Engineer license (WA)

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!

Washington State Ferries (WSF) is an essential part of Washington's transportation network. Every year, we carry nearly 20 million passengers across Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands on more than 400 sailings a day. Our dedicated teams with over 2,100 people work together to serve our communities and shape the future of ferry travel.

The Opportunity

WSF, a division of WSDOT, is currently seeking a Structures Manager to lead the Structural Engineering Group in ensuring Washington State Ferries' terminal structures remain safe, resilient, and reliable for the traveling public. In this leadership role, you will guide a team of engineering professionals, provide sound technical direction, and support the long-term stewardship of critical transportation infrastructure. By fostering collaboration, continuous improvement, and transparent decision-making, you will help advance WSF's core values of Serve, Grow, Trust, Respect, and Navigate while supporting safe, dependable ferry operations. Your leadership will play a vital role in maintaining public confidence and delivering reliable ferry service to the communities we serve.

As we navigate a once-in-a-generation transformation to decarbonize our system — guided by our core values Serve, Respect, Trust, Grow Navigate, and bold strategic priorities Service Excellence, Improved Communication and Empowered People — there’s never been a more meaningful time to come aboard at Washington State Ferries.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you/the Bridge Engineer will:

• Lead the Structural Engineering Group in evaluating, maintaining, and improving the safety, reliability, and resilience of WSF terminal structures.
• Oversee structural engineering analyses, load ratings, PS&E development, and quality assurance for terminal capital and maintenance projects.
• Manage group staffing, project assignments, scheduling, consultant utilization, and employee development.
• Establish structural engineering policies, design criteria, and resilience strategies for seismic, tsunami, and sea level rise considerations.
• Direct structural engineering programs and ensure compliance with applicable engineering standards and regulatory requirements.
• Manage structural engineering consultant contracts, including scopes of work, budgets, schedules, and deliverables.
• Evaluate structural capacity, implement operational restrictions as needed, and provide technical oversight for terminal engineering initiatives.
• Uphold WSF’s strategic priorities (Service Excellence, Improved Communication, and Empowered People) and values (Serve, Grow, Trust, Respect, and Navigate), ensuring they are embedded in WSF’s culture through leadership actions

Qualifications

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

Growth Mindset

• Actively demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and adapting to new challenges through innovation and continuous improvement.

Service-Oriented

• Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others while fostering collaborative relationships built on trust, communication, and shared success.

Leadership and Talent Development

• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and direction to structural engineering staff while hiring, training, mentoring, coaching, and developing employees to achieve organizational goals.

Communication

• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex structural analysis, engineering, and design concepts in clear, understandable language, both verbally and in writing, to technical and non-technical audiences.

Problem Solving and Decision Making

• Demonstrated ability to anticipate project challenges, evaluate complex engineering issues, and develop practical, effective solutions that support project delivery and operational objectives.

Structural Engineering Expertise

• Demonstrated knowledge of structural engineering principles, bridge engineering practices, and emerging technologies, including new products, engineering methodologies, industry standards, and applicable bridge engineering codes.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a technical resource in structural engineering by conducting research, making technical presentations, interpreting and implementing new technologies, codes and engineering practices, assisting in the development of engineering standards, and designing and analyzing complex engineering problems.

Structural Inspection and Regulatory Compliance

• Demonstrated knowledge of the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS), AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, AASHTO Seismic Design Guide Specifications, the Washington State Building Code, and the International Building Code, including wind, seismic, and tsunami loading requirements.

Professional Credential

• Current registration as a Licensed Civil Engineer and Structural Engineer in the State of Washington.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

Project Delivery and Management

• Demonstrated experience in the design and/or project management of civil engineering projects, including coordinating project activities, managing schedules, and supporting successful project delivery.

Construction and Inspection

• Demonstrated experience in the construction and/or inspection of transportation structures, with the ability to evaluate work for compliance with engineering standards, specifications, and project requirements.

Transportation Engineering Standards

• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience applying the WSF Terminal Design Manual, WSDOT Bridge Design Manual, Standard Specifications, and Special Provisions in the design, construction, and inspection of transportation infrastructure.

Important Notes

• 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 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 mayearn 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.
• PlanFor 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?

WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/ or gender identity, are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter.

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