Senior Project Engineer

City of Kirkland, WA; Kirkland (WA); On-site; USD 142,000 - 167,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Kirkland is seeking a Senior Project Engineer in the Public Works - Capital Improvement division. You will manage complex municipal CIP projects, coordinate project engineers and staff, and provide technical leadership across multiple water, sewer, and transportation initiatives.

Applicants should have a BS in Civil Engineering, 7 years in municipal engineering with 3 years in project management, and professional engineer licensure. This is an exempt, full-time position with AFSCME.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering.
• 7 years of municipal engineering experience including 3 years in project management and 3 years computer experience with CPM, database, spreadsheets and word processing.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience with related skills.

Responsibilities

• Provides admin and management of complex municipal CIP projects for Public Works.
• Coordinates project engineers, inspectors and staff; serves as a technical resource.
• Leads development of CIP six-year program, budgets and schedules.
• Represents CIP group on city teams and external coordination.

Skills

Municipal engineering

Project management

Education

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

Tools

CPM

Database

Spreadsheets

Word processing

Job description

Employer

City of Kirkland

Salary

$141,708.91 - $166,716.84 Annually

Location

City Hall - 123 5th Ave, Kirkland, WA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

202100836

Location

Public Works - Capital Improvement

Opening Date

10/21/2026

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

AFSCME

Job Summary

The City of Kirkland's Public Works Department is seeking to hire a Senior Project Engineer!

About Public Works

The Public Works Department ensures the City's infrastructure remains safe, functional, and sustainable. It oversees vital services including stormwater management, transportation, water and wastewater systems, maintenance of streets and grounds, and capital improvement projects.

As the City's largest department, we are committed to the City's vision and the Department's mission. We play a vital role in making Kirkland livable, sustainable, and connected. We are City employees who take pride in being trusted stewards of the public's resources, infrastructure, environment, and quality of life.

We have a One Team approach, strive for excellence and attract, value, and keep diverse, talented employees.

Why Kirkland?

Ranked as one of the most livable cities in America, Kirkland is an attractive and inviting place to live, work, and visit. We have big city vision while maintaining a small-town, community feel. If you are a candidate with the desire to join an organization looking to innovate into the future, the City of Kirkland is the place for you!

If you ask our employees why they love where they work, they will tell you about the great people, work environment, supportive leadership and City Council, and innovation.

We also invest in you!

Competitive Wages: We strive to maintain competitive compensation packages and work to provide wages that meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities of our employees.

Awesome benefits: The City offers benefits that are unmatched by most other employers.

Childcare Programs: To help address the challenge of reliable childcare, the City of Kirkland has agreements with two local childcare providers that offer discounted rates for our employees at 10 locations within 20 miles of Kirkland.

Training and Career Development: The City of Kirkland believes in developing its employees. You will have access to training opportunities designed for career development and advancement based on your position, skills, and interests.

After completing the probationary period, you will be eligible for an annual tool allowance to help cover the costs of purchasing or replacing tools used to perform your duties.

Job Summary

The role of the Senior Project Engineer is to provide senior-level administration and management of complex municipal capital improvement projects for the Capital Improvement section of Public Works. Coordinates individual project assignments and work flow for project engineers, inspectors, and engineering assistants/interns and serves as a technical expert and resource for other departmental personnel.

• Provides administrative, design and construction management services for water, sewer, surface water, and transportation capital improvement projects.
• Plans, distributes, and coordinates project assignments and work loads among the Project Engineers, Inspectors, Engineering Assistants and other support staff.
• Functions as technical resource to peers, providing leadership, direction and motivational support. Ensures projected timelines and work quality are consistent with established performance measures.
• Assists the Deputy Director of Public Works - Capital Projects in the development and implementation of Public Works' six-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
• Assists the Deputy Director of Public Works - Capital Projects in the recruitment, interview, and performance evaluation of CIP staff.

Distinguishing Characteristics: The Senior Project Engineer classification is distinguished from the Project Engineer by the complexity, controversial nature, and/or high visibility of the type of assigned projects. The Senior Project Engineer is a resource to their peers and is considered a technical expert.

Essential Functions

• Assists in the development of the six-year CIP through various tasks including participation in the master planning of facilities, grant procurement, project scoping and estimating of individual projects.
• Coordinates and maintains standardized procedures, policies, and documentation for the Capital Improvement section to efficiently deliver CIP projects to the public consistent with City and community goals.
• Understands the project life cycle, including concept development, feasibility, planning, budgeting, scheduling, and execution readiness; defines scope, estimates costs, establishes milestones, and identifies risks and resource needs while collaborating with stakeholders to ensure projects align with organizational priorities and are delivered on time and within budget.
• Manages assigned projects from development of the scope of the project through to final construction and acceptance.
• Prepares project status updates for proper coordination and scheduling of CIP projects with other competing capital project, private, or other municipal interests.
• Provides technical expertise and engineering assistance to the Project Engineers and field crews for improvements, maintenance, or construction that is being performed by City crews.
• Provides oral and written information to a variety of audiences including City Council, the general public, adjacent departments, outside agencies, and others.
• Promotes training opportunities for the Project Engineers and support staff, acting as training mentor to new hires within CIP group.
• Provides input and assistance to the Deputy Director of Public Works - Capital Projects in the preparation of Performance Appraisals for the Project Engineers and CIP support staff.
• Represents CIP group on City service teams.
• Represents City and PW Department on State, Regional and Local planning, value engineering, or charette teams, as assigned.
• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, contributing to an environment of respectful living and working in a multicultural society.

Peripheral Duties

• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Performs functions as assigned in the City's emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Understand and be able to apply principles and practices of civil engineering and construction project management as they apply to the planning, design, inspection, and construction of public works projects.
• Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills and the ability to work with the public, public officials, other department heads and staff, consultants, and contractors in a knowledgeable and professional manner.
• Position often requires construction conflict resolution with the ability to rapidly analyze technical and/or legal implications in decision making, working directly with the City Attorney and Washington Cities Insurance Authority when necessary.
• Exhibit positive leadership skills and intradepartmental cooperation through involvement with diverse work groups, community interests, or service teams.
• Ability to successfully prioritize competing deadlines, schedules, and limited resources among a variety of customers to insure timely delivery of programs and projects.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.
• Experience: 7 years of increasingly responsible experience working on municipal engineering projects, including 3 years of direct project management. 3 years computer experience with CPM, database, spreadsheet, and word processing applications.
• Or: In place of the above requirements, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual's knowledge, skill, and ability to proficiently perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

Licenses and Other Requirements

• Professional Engineer registration is required.
• Must have a valid Washington State Driver's license and ability to remain insurable under the City's insurance to operate motor vehicles.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

Primarily office work, but the position also involves visiting construction sites under varying weather conditions. Potential hazards at construction sites include vehicular traffic, construction equipment, and uneven terrain. The position may require climbing ladders, scaffolding, and working in trenches or other confined spaces.

This position encounters foot hazards as defined by the WAC, which may include any of the following: falling objects, rolling objects, piercing/cutting injuries, or electrical hazards.

Selection Process

Final candidates will be required to successfully complete a background check, consistent with applicable law.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings. Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 711.