Electrical Engineer 4 - Washington State Ferries
Washington State Department of Transportation
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Washington State Department of Transportation seeks a Marine Electrical Engineer to support design and modernization of Washington State Ferries' fleet. You will develop engineering solutions for safe, reliable vessel operation, supporting repair, modification, and new construction projects.
Join during a transformative period as the division advances decarbonization and regulatory compliance, contributing to a mission of safe and sustainable ferry service with a hybrid/remote work option.
Qualifications
- Experience designing, analyzing, and supporting shipboard electrical systems.
- Ability to apply engineering codes and standards to vessel designs.
- Proven capability to develop accurate reports, calculations, and design docs.
- Strong communication with engineers, contractors, regulators, and teams.
- Professional PE license or eligibility to obtain WA licensure within six months.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a TWIC credential within three months.
- Experience in marine and public sector regulatory requirements preferred.
- Proficiency with design software such as SKM, Rhino3D, ShipConstructor.
- Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple assignments with minimal supervision.
- Commitment to service values and ethics in public transportation projects.
Responsibilities
- Design electrical systems, calculations, specs and drawings for ferry work.
- Ensure compliance with USCG, ABS, IMO/SOLAS, IEEE and NEC standards.
- Lead or support electrical engineering for vessel capital improvements.
- Conduct vessel inspections to verify conditions and support designs.
- Prepare engineering reports, cost estimates, specs, and procurement docs.
- Coordinate with engineers, designers, and project teams for accurate docs.
- Review vendor submittals for technical accuracy and compliance.
- Provide technical guidance, troubleshooting, and training on marine systems.
- Uphold WSF values and ensure culture reflects leadership actions.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Salary : $100,459.00 - $135,122.00 Annually
Location : King County - Seattle - Belltown, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26DOT-WSF-91016r.1
Department: Dept. of Transportation
Division: Washington State Ferries
Opening Date: 09/10/2026
Closing Date: 9/24/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
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.
WSF, a division of WSDOT, is currently seeking a Marine Electrical Engineer to support the design and modernization of Washington State Ferries' fleet. In this role, you will contribute to the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the nation's largest ferry system by developing engineering solutions that enhance vessel performance and regulatory compliance. Your expertise will help ensure ferry vessels remain safe, dependable, and ready to serve the traveling public through repair, modification, and new construction projects. This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on Washington's transportation system while advancing WSF's mission of providing safe, sustainable, and reliable ferry service.
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.
- Design electrical systems, calculations, specifications, and drawings for ferry vessel modifications, repairs, and new construction.
- Ensure compliance with USCG, ABS, IMO/SOLAS, IEEE, and NEC regulations and standards.
- Lead or support electrical engineering for vessel capital improvement and maintenance projects.
- Conduct vessel inspections to verify existing conditions and support engineering designs and modifications.
- Prepare engineering reports, cost estimates, specifications, and procurement documents.
- Coordinate with engineers, designers, and project teams to ensure accurate design and as-built documentation.
- Review engineering documents and vendor submittals for technical accuracy, quality, and regulatory compliance.
- Provide technical guidance, troubleshooting, and training on marine electrical and electronic systems
- 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
To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:
- Customer Focus: Demonstrates a commitment to providing responsive, high-quality service that supports internal and external customers and WSF's mission.
- Continuous Learning: Demonstrates a growth mindset by actively seeking opportunities to learn, adapt, and apply new knowledge to improve performance.
- Respect and Inclusion: Contributes to a workplace that values respect, collaboration, equity, and equal opportunity.
- Marine Electrical Engineering: Demonstrates experience designing, analyzing, and supporting shipboard electrical and electronic systems in a shipyard, consulting, or marine engineering environment.
- Engineering Expertise: Applies sound engineering principles to perform technical analyses, calculations, and develop engineering solutions that support vessel systems and equipment.
- Technical Documentation: Interprets engineering drawings, specifications, and technical standards to develop accurate reports, calculations, and design documentation for vessel modifications, repairs, and new construction.
- Communication and Collaboration: Effectively communicates technical information and collaborates with engineers, contractors, regulatory agencies, vessel personnel, and project teams to achieve project objectives.
- Regulatory Compliance: Applies applicable engineering codes, standards, and regulatory requirements to ensure vessel designs meet operational and safety requirements.
- Professional Registration: Holds a Professional Engineer (PE) license in Electrical Engineering in Washington State, or another state with the ability to obtain Washington State licensure within six months of appointment.
- Security Requirements: Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) within three months of employment.
- Marine Industry Knowledge: Experience applying engineering principles in a marine environment and working with applicable public sector policies and regulatory requirements.
- Technical Proficiency: Demonstrates experience using engineering and design software such as SKM, Rhino3D, ShipConstructor, or similar applications.
- Planning and Organization: Effectively plans, prioritizes, and manages multiple assignments while following detailed technical instructions, meeting deadlines, and working independently with minimal supervision.
- 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 Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in 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
- 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 for more information.
Check out this video to learn more:
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at Please be sure to reference 26DOT-WSF-91016 in the subject line.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Updated 01-07-2026
01
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
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