Senior Civil/Senior Marine Engineer - Washington State Ferries

State of Washington Dept. of Transportation; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid remote options

Paid holidays

Vacation days

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Washington State Ferries (WSF), a division of WSDOT, seeks a Senior Civil Engineer / Senior Marine Engineer to lead terminal project design and delivery. You will guide projects from scoping to construction, ensuring safe, reliable ferry operations and alignment with policy priorities.

Responsibilities include preparing PS&E bid packages, developing civil/terminal designs, and coordinating multidisciplinary teams while managing risk, schedule, and budget.

Qualifications

• Professional Civil Engineer licensure in Washington state is required.
• Experience with design and delivery of ferry terminal or waterfront infrastructure is preferred.
• Knowledge of NEPA/SEPA processes and environmental compliance guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex terminal projects from scoping through design and construction.
• Prepare and review PS&E bid packages and design documentation.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary design teams and ensure design quality.
• Manage project risks, schedules, and budget while maintaining safety standards.
• Represent the design team in cross-functional meetings and with stakeholders.

Skills

Civil design

Marine design

Project leadership

NEPA/SEPA knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Communication skills

Education

Professional Civil 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 Senior Civil Engineer / Senior Marine Engineer to provide project management and technical leadership for the design and delivery of ferry terminal projects. This position guides projects from initial scoping through design and construction contract award, helping ensure terminal infrastructure continues to support safe, reliable, and efficient ferry operations. Through collaboration, innovation, and technical excellence, this role advances critical infrastructure improvements that serve communities, businesses, and the traveling public throughout the Puget Sound region. The position also supports WSF’s commitment to Service Excellence, Improved Communication, and Empowered People while contributing to a resilient and high-performing ferry system.

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 Senior Civil / Senior Marine Engineer will:

• Prepare and review complex PS&E bid packages, including civil plans, specifications, quantities, cost estimates, and design documentation.
• Develop civil and terminal designs, including grading, paving, drainage, traffic control, signing, striping, and horizontal and vertical alignments.
• Review designs and approvals for compliance with WSDOT standards, Terminal Design Manual requirements, and engineering criteria.
• Lead design for complex terminal preservation and improvement projects, supporting scope, schedule, budget, constructability, and risk management.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary design activities and ensure alignment with NEPA/SEPA requirements and WSF operational needs.
• Support project management and delivery, including consultant scopes, schedules, risk documentation, status reporting, and spending plans.
• Coordinate design and construction activities and represent the design team in cross-functional project meetings.
• Provide construction-phase design support, including review of submittals, RFIs, and change orders.
• 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:

Knowledge Of:

• Engineering & Design: Civil/structural design, mechanical/electrical design, architectural design, hydraulic and sanitary sewer design, and geotechnical engineering.
• Marine & Terminal Operations: Marine construction methods and ferry system operations.
• Project Delivery Methods: Design-Bid-Build (DBB), Design-Build (DB), and General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM).
• Project Administration: Consultant agreement management, construction engineering, workplace safety practices, and public involvement processes.
• Permitting & Environmental Regulations: Environmental laws, environmental permit applications, and construction permitting.
• Codes & Standards: Uniform Building Code (UBC), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), AASHTO publications, WSDOT design standards, and the Terminal Design Manual (TDM).

Ability To:

• Project & Team Leadership: Manage complex terminal projects and lead multi-disciplinary design teams.
• Engineering Execution: Plan, supervise, coordinate, analyze, and review engineering plans, technical reports, and multi-faceted work.
• Risk & Problem Solving: Document and manage project risks while exercising independent professional judgment to solve complex engineering challenges.
• Permitting & Negotiations: Negotiate effectively with municipalities and external entities during project permitting processes.
• Standards Application: Rigorously apply WSDOT and Terminal Design Manual (TDM) standards.
• Communication & Collaboration: Communicate clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing, with management, internal teams, and external customers.
• Workplace Culture: Actively contribute to an environment that fosters respect, equity, and equal opportunity.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

Technical and Engineering Mastery

• Marine & Waterfront Experience: Demonstrated expertise in civil engineering principles with applied experience in the marine design, construction, and maintenance of ferry terminal or waterfront infrastructure.
• Multi-Disciplinary Integration: Proven ability to integrate multi-disciplinary design elements—civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and geotechnical—into cohesive, constructible solutions.
• Standards & Compliance: Competence in applying engineering standards, safety codes, and industry best practices to ensure quality, regulatory compliance, and system reliability in design and construction.

Strategic and Operational Leadership

• Program Leadership: Demonstrated success leading large, complex engineering programs that support safe, reliable, and efficient ferry system operations.
• Asset Sustainability: Ability to balance technical, environmental, and operational priorities in decision-making to achieve long-term asset sustainability and performance outcomes.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Experience to foster collaboration among design teams, contractors, operations, and stakeholders to deliver capital and preservation projects on schedule and within budget.

Program and Risk Management

• Project Delivery & Controls: Skilled in applying structured project management methods to deliver Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) and Design-Build packages, including risk assessment, cost estimation, and schedule control.
• Contract Administration: Demonstrated competency in negotiating and managing consultant contracts, service agreements, and construction partnerships.

Communication and Relationship Management

• Stakeholder Engagement: Proven ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including executive leadership, regulatory agencies, and the public.
• Public Process: Demonstrated effectiveness in leading or participating in public engagement processes to gather input, build trust, and strengthen project outcomes.

Education and Professional Credentials

• Professional Credentials: Professional registration as a Civil Engineer in Washington State, or approved equivalent.

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 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.
• 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?

Contact Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at [e-mail]. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-WSF-90064r.1 in the subject line.

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