Transportation Engineer 2 (In-Training)
State of Washington
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Benefits offered by this job
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 prepare design documents, plans, specifications, and cost estimates to deliver high-quality highway projects for the region, guiding/mentoring designers as needed.
You’ll collaborate with Planning, Soils, Hydraulics, Bridge, Traffic and other offices, apply CAD and engineering software, and help ensure compliance with design standards
Qualifications
- Foundational knowledge of civil, structural, geotechnical, or transportation engineering principles.
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret engineering plans, specifications, and manuals.
- Ability to document engineering activities through reports, calculations, and records.
- Ability to use engineering software and tools to support design and analysis.
Responsibilities
- Prepare and review design documents, plans, specifications, and cost estimates for design projects.
- Interpret policies, manuals, and technical data to support project delivery and schedules.
- Conduct quality reviews of own work and incorporate feedback.
- Coordinate with Planning, Soils, Hydraulics, Bridge, Traffic, and other offices.
- Use CAD to develop engineering designs and plans.
- Perform quality verifications on design submittals.
- Review design elements for compliance with standards.
- Coordinate with offices, consultants, and stakeholders to obtain information.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
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!
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Engineer-In-Training Certificate
- 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
- 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?
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That’s why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 non-overtime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 non-overtime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro-rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 01-07-2026
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at amanda.strebeck@wsdot.wa.gov . Please be sure to reference Transportation Engineer 2 #32948 in the subject line.
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