Bridge Program Director: Lead Complex Projects & Growth

COWI; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 161,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work

5 weeks vacation

Floating holidays

Paid sick leave

401K matching

Development fund

Transit allowance

Insurance benefits

EAP

Life insurance

Referral program

Social events

Job summary

COWI in Seattle and Oakland seeks an Associate Project Director, Bridge, to lead delivery of complex bridge projects and expand our West Coast presence. You’ll manage multidisciplinary teams, oversee contracts, and strengthen client relationships to win follow-on work.

Ideal candidates have 15+ years in bridge design, a Civil/Structural engineering background, a PE license (or ability to obtain in WA/CA), and a proven ability to lead large programs with strong commercial results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering; Master’s degree preferred.
• PE license or ability to obtain in Washington or California.
• 15+ years of bridge design infrastructure experience.
• Proven track record leading complex, multidisciplinary projects with accountability for scope, schedule, budget, and commercial performance.
• Strong senior client relationship management and contract negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver complex bridge infrastructure projects for public and private clients, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget from planning through delivery.
• Provide project management leadership across multidisciplinary teams (civil, structural, geotechnical) to achieve high-quality, coordinated outcomes.
• Serve as the primary client interface, managing contracts, fee negotiations, schedules, and risk while maintaining strong client relationships.
• Manage project commercial performance with a focus on profitability, technical excellence, innovation, and securing follow-on work and change orders.
• Support business development activities, including go/no-go decisions, teaming strategies, and proposals, with a focus on growing the Northwest market.
• Mentor and develop staff while contributing to local office growth, including team building, hiring decisions, and expanding COWI’s presence in the region.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationship management

Business development

Team leadership

Mentoring and coaching

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Job description

COWI in Seattle and Oakland seeks an Associate Project Director, Bridge, to lead delivery of complex bridge projects and expand our West Coast presence. You’ll manage multidisciplinary teams, oversee contracts, and strengthen client relationships to win follow-on work.

Ideal candidates have 15+ years in bridge design, a Civil/Structural engineering background, a PE license (or ability to obtain in WA/CA), and a proven ability to lead large programs with strong commercial results.