Project Engineer - Washington State Ferries

State of Washington Dept. of Transportation; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-Life Balance

Paid leave and holidays

Tuition Assistance

Retirement benefits

Job summary

State of Washington Dept. of Transportation (WSDOT) – Washington State Ferries (WSF) seeks a Project Engineer to lead construction delivery for safe, reliable ferry operations.

You will oversee projects within scope, schedule, and budget, ensuring compliance with contracts and standards. You will collaborate with contractors, consultants, and agencies to minimize change orders and delays while protecting the public interest.

Qualifications

• Professional Engineer license in Civil Engineering in Washington state.
• Deep knowledge of highway design, PS&E, and project delivery methods.
• Experience managing capital transportation projects with scope, schedule, and budget.
• Familiarity with environmental requirements and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee construction, interpret plans, monitor progress, and manage payments.
• Plan work, resolve engineering problems, and manage scope and budget.
• Coordinate with contractors, consultants, and agencies to minimize changes.
• Ensure compliance with WSDOT, FHWA, and FTA requirements and standards.
• Evaluate changes, negotiate contracts, and report to executive management.
• Assess risks, develop mitigation, and communicate progress to leadership.
• Coordinate adjacent projects to improve efficiency and public outcomes.
• Ensure environmentally responsible project delivery.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Regulatory compliance

Education

Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering (WA)

Tools

PS&E knowledge

Design-bid-build

Design-build

FHWA/FTA process knowledge

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 Project Engineer to lead construction project delivery that supports safe, reliable ferry operations. This position provides oversight and coordination to deliver quality projects within scope, schedule, and budget while meeting contract requirements and applicable standards. Working collaboratively with project partners, the Project Engineer helps resolve construction challenges, prioritize safety, and minimize impacts to travelers and the environment. This role offers an opportunity to advance sustainable, maintainable ferry infrastructure that serves Washington’s communities.

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 Project Engineer will:

• Oversee construction, interpret plans and specifications, apply laws, codes, and standards, monitor contractor progress, and process progress payments.
• Plan work and staffing, resolve engineering problems and disputes, and manage project scope, schedule, and budget.
• Partner with contractors, consultants, and agencies to minimize change orders, delays, and claims while protecting the public interest.
• Ensure WSDOT, FHWA, and FTA compliance for documentation and approvals, and ensure plans are constructable, permittable, and biddable.
• Evaluate, negotiate, and approve contract change orders supported by engineering analysis and the public interest.
• Assess risks and opportunities, develop mitigation strategies, and report progress, significant issues, and recommendations to executive management.
• Coordinate adjacent projects with local agencies and DOT offices to improve efficiency, minimize customer impacts, and support partnerships.
• Ensure environmentally responsible project delivery consistent with applicable laws.
• 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:

• Professional Licensure: Registration as a Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering within the State of Washington.
• Civil Engineering Technical Knowledge & Application: In-depth knowledge of highway design, Plan, Specification, and Estimate (PS&E) preparation. In-depth knowledge of project delivery methods including design-bid-build and design-build. Understanding of highway construction principles and practices, including field operations and contractor coordination. Knowledge of transportation design principles, common transportation issues, and methods for analyzing and resolving transportation problems. Understanding of programming, budgeting procedures, and legislative processes as they relate to transportation project planning and execution.
• Project Management & Scheduling: Demonstrated experience managing complex capital transportation projects to meet established scope, schedule, budget, quality, and documentation requirements while managing risks. Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize limited resources amongst competing priorities.
• Regulatory, Policy & Environmental Compliance: Familiarity of applicable laws, regulations, permits, and agency policies, including environmental requirements, throughout project development and construction. Ability to integrate compliance requirements into project delivery.
• Strategic Planning & Resource Management: Demonstrated ability to plan and manage project budgets, schedules, staffing, and consultant resources to deliver capital programs effectively and efficiently.
• Leadership: Experience leading and supervising professional and technical staff, including providing direction, performance feedback, fostering a culture of accountability and performance, and addressing personnel matters.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Building: Ability to collaborate effectively with internal staff, external agencies, consultants, contractors, elected officials, and the public to define and deliver project requirements.
• Communication & Executive Reporting: Demonstrated ability to communicate technical, financial, and schedule information clearly and effectively, including reporting project status to executive leadership.
• Problem Solving, Decision-Making & Conflict Resolution: Proven ability to identify issues, evaluate options, and implement practical solutions. Skilled in conflict resolution and facilitating constructive dialogue.
• 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:

• Consultant & Construction Contract Management: Experience managing engineering consultants and administering construction contracts.
• Project Delivery Methods: Experience designing, procuring, and administering transportation projects through design-bid-build and design-build methodologies.
• FHWA and FTA Process Knowledge: Familiarity with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and FTA 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 changes. Ability to lead teams through transitions in scope, structure, policy, or project delivery approach using effective change management strategies.
• Public Sector Transportation Experience: Experience delivering capital transportation projects within a public-sector environment.

Important Notes

• This position may be eligible for part-time telework, with the employee expected to work in the office two days per week.
• 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 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.
• 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?

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

Contact Us

For inquiries aboutthis posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at [e-mail]. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-WSF-9W087 in the subject line.