Project Engineer

State of Washington; Shoreline (WA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible/hybrid remote work options

Paid holidays

Paid vacation

Tuition assistance

Public service mission

Job summary

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a professional engineer to lead highway design projects across the Northwest Region. You will ensure compliance with local, state, and federal standards while managing scope, schedule, and budget and promoting safety and accessibility for all modes of travel.

This role emphasizes leadership, collaboration with internal teams and external agencies, and a focus on environmentally responsible project delivery.

Qualifications

• Professional Engineer licensure in Washington or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
• Bachelor’s degree in civil or structural engineering or equivalent.
• Experience leading transportation projects through planning, environmental review, design, and construction.

Responsibilities

• Strategically plan the budget, schedule, and workforce to deliver the Capital Improvement and Preservation Program (CIPP).
• Lead an office of engineers/technicians in the design and contract development of transportation projects.
• Ensure projects meet WSDOT policies, standards, and documentation requirements.
• Deliver projects in an environmentally responsible manner and build partnerships with stakeholders.
• Coordinate input and resolve conflicts among internal and external entities and report project status to management.
• Certify designs with Professional Engineer’s stamp and ensure changes are executed during construction.

Skills

Budgeting & Programming

Leadership

Communication & Collaboration

Problem Solving & Decision-Making

Project Management & Scheduling

Mentorship & Coaching

Growth Mindset

Education

Professional Engineer licensure (WA)

Bachelor’s degree in civil or structural engineering

Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certification

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 a professional engineer to deliver highway design projects across the Northwest Region, ensuring they meet local, state, and federal standards while staying on scope, schedule, and budget. This position plays a key role in creating transportation infrastructure that is safe, reliable, sustainable, and accessible for all modes of travel, while minimizing impacts to the traveling public. The position also helps build a strong, inclusive workforce and promotes resiliency across WSDOT’s people, projects, and assets. Through thoughtful project delivery and a commitment to safety, this role directly supports WSDOT’s mission to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation options that strengthen communities and economic vitality.

What to Expect

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

• Strategically plan the budget, schedule, and workforce necessary to deliver the Capital Improvement and Preservation Program (CIPP).
• Lead an office of professional and technical engineers and/or technicians, including interns, temporary employees, and engineering consultants, in the design and contract development of transportation improvement, preservation, safety, and fish passage projects.
• Ensure projects are developed and managed in accordance with WSDOT policies, procedures, current standards, effective engineering techniques, and sound engineering judgment to meet scope, schedule, budget, and documentation requirements.
• Ensure projects are delivered in an environmentally responsible manner consistent with applicable laws.
• Build effective partnerships with citizens, media, elected officials, contractors, consultants, and outside agencies to plan, build, maintain, and operate an efficient transportation system.
• Coordinate input and resolve conflicts among internal organizations, personnel, outside agencies, consultants, contractors, and the public.
• Report the status of assigned projects to WSDOT regional and statewide executive management to support accountability and improve project delivery.
• Certify, by use of Professional Engineer’s stamp, that WSDOT standards and policies are followed in the development of design documents, contract plans, and specifications, including changes executed during construction administration.

Qualifications

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

• Professional Engineering Certification:Licensed as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or ability to obtain 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.
• Service-Oriented:Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Growth Mindset:Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.

It is preferred

that qualified candidates also have:

• Professional Engineering Certification: Possession of a Professional Engineer’s License in the state of Washington.
• Engineering Education or Equivalent Experience: Bachelor’s degree in civil or structural engineering, Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certification, vocational training, coursework, or equivalent demonstrated experience in surveying, engineering, or inspection.
• WSDOT Project Delivery Methods: Experience designing and procuring transportation projects through design-build and design-bid-build methodologies, in accordance with WSDOT standards 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.
• 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.
• PlanFor Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have a choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information.

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 recruiter listed.

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.