Transportation Engineer 2 (In-Training)

State of Washington Dept. of Transportation; Lacey (WA); Hybrid; USD 73,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible/hybrid remote work options

Paid leave and holidays

Tuition assistance

Healthcare options

Job summary

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) seeks a Transportation Engineer 2 to join the Olympic Region’s Tumwater Design Office in Lacey, WA. You will lead design documentation, plans, specifications, and cost estimates, acting as the primary engineer on design projects from development through completion.

You’ll provide technical guidance, review work of designers, and coordinate with Planning, Soils, Hydraulics, Bridge, and Traffic teams to deliver safe, high-quality transportation

Qualifications

• Foundational knowledge in civil, structural, geotechnical, or transportation engineering to apply concepts to real-world projects.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret engineering plans, specs, manuals, and data to support solutions.
• Documentation of engineering, inspection, surveys, quantities, and records per standards.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review PS&Es for design projects.
• Interpret policies and design manuals for project delivery.
• Conduct quality reviews and incorporate comments.
• Coordinate with Planning, Soils, Hydraulics, Bridge, Traffic and other offices.
• Use CAD software to develop engineering designs.
• Perform quality verifications on design submittals.
• Review engineering elements for AE agreements, supplements, and task orders.
• Quality review of other design teams’ documents and plans.

Skills

Foundational Eng Tech

Tech Interpretation

Documentation Skills

Engineering Software

Communication Skills

Project Skills

Engineering Review

Teamwork

Work Prioritization

MS Office / CAD

Growth Mindset

Service-Oriented

Education

Engineer-In-Training Certificate

Tools

CAD Software

MS Office Suite

SharePoint

Agency Systems

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 Transportation Engineer 2 to join the Olympic Region’s Tumwater Design Office in Lacey, WA. In this role, you’ll play a key part in delivering highway design projects from development through completion, serving as the primary engineer responsible for preparing design documentation, plans, specifications, and cost estimates. Your work will directly support the delivery of safe, high-quality transportation projects that serve communities throughout the region.

This position also provides an opportunity to share your technical expertise and help develop others. You’ll provide technical guidance and training while directing the work of supporting designers in the development of plan sheets, specifications, and estimates. If you enjoy applying your engineering knowledge, collaborating with others, and seeing your work translate into transportation projects that make a difference, this could be a great opportunity to grow your career with WSDOT.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Transportation Engineer 2 will:

• Prepare and review design, documentation, contract plans, specifications, and cost estimates (PS&Es) for design projects.
• Understand and interpret written policies, engineering design manuals, construction plans, and engineering reports to prepare, interpret, and review designs, project delivery documentation, contract plans, specifications, cost estimates and schedules.
• Conduct a quality review of own work; analyze and incorporate review comments as appropriate.
• Review and incorporate appropriate plans and data from Planning, Soils, Hydraulics, Bridge, Traffic, and other support offices.
• Use computer aided design software to develop engineering designs and plans.
• Perform quality verifications on design submittals.
• Conduct technical reviews of engineering related elements for Architectural and Engineering agreements, supplements, and task orders.
• Perform quality reviews of other design team’s plan, specifications, estimates, design calculations, and other support projects and documents within the office by checking completeness, accuracy, consistency, and adherence to WSDOT design standards.
• Coordinate with other WSDOT offices, consultants, outside agencies, and other stakeholders to clarify technical information, meet commitments, and obtain information.

Qualifications

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

• Foundational Engineering Technical Skills and Knowledge: Foundational knowledge of civil, structural, geotechnical, or transportation engineering principles, with the ability to apply engineering concepts to real‑world transportation project scenarios.
• Technical Interpretation, Analysis, and Problem Solving: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret engineering plans, specifications, contract documents, manuals, and technical data; identify issues or discrepancies; and apply sound engineering judgment to support effective, practical solutions.
• Engineering Documentation and Records Management: Ability to accurately document engineering, inspection, survey, materials, or project support activities through reports, field notes, calculations, quantities, records, and other required documentation in accordance with established standards and procedures.
• Engineering Technology and Software: Ability to use, or learn to use, engineering‑related software and digital tools to support design, analysis, documentation, inspection, data collection, and project delivery (e.g., CAD, databases, spreadsheets, and agency systems). Note: Foundational knowledge may be supported by formal classroom training. In addition to the above, the following competencies and licenses are required at either level:
• Communication Skills: Skills to communicate information effectively and professionally to a diverse audience, including those with non-technical backgrounds, both virtually and in‑person, using a variety of electronic media, including, but not limited to telephones, email, text, video conferencing, and computer conferencing.
• Project Skills: Proven skill to examine, develop and propose alternate solutions to complex elements of a project.
• Engineering Skills: Experience in reviewing engineering plans and specifications for compliance with established standards.
• Teamwork Skills: Experience in being able to effectively work both individually and within a diverse team environment.
• Work Prioritization: Experience in working independently and prioritize workload and handle multiple assignments.
• Software Proficiency: Proficient in operating Windows based computers and software, such as MS Office Suite, including Excel, Word, SharePoint, and Outlook; and computer applications involving databases and computer aided engineering software.
• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Engineer-In-Training Certificate

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.
• This is a Transportation Engineer 2 position. However, the hiring manager reserves the right to fill the position at a lower level in the classification series based on candidate qualifications, providing an opportunity for an individual to gain the required experience on the job as part of a formal “in‑training” plan. The base salaries for each level are:

• Transportation Engineer 2: $72,900 – $96,804
• Transportation Engineer 1: $66,072 – $88,877

• 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 offer flexible work schedules that allow you time for your life outside of this excellent opportunity.
• 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 a 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 recruiter listed.