Transportation Engineer 3

State of Washington; Lacey (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible/hybrid remote work options

Paid time off / vacation days

Tuition assistance

Job summary

The State of Washington's WSDOT is seeking a Transportation Engineer 3 to serve as the Olympic Region's PS&E Specialist, providing expert design support and QA for transportation projects.

Responsibilities include reviewing PS&E contract documents, coordinating region reviews, and guiding designers through PS&E development to ensure compliance with standards and policies.

Qualifications

• Experience applying engineering principles to transportation or construction projects.
• Ability to oversight and review engineering designs, documentation, and cost estimates.
• Proficiency with Windows, MS Office, cloud platforms, and engineering software.
• Strong communication to diverse audiences, including non-technical stakeholders.
• Leadership skills to supervise staff and coordinate cross-functional teams.
• Commitment to equity and growth within public service.

Responsibilities

• Review PS&E contract documents for projects of varying complexity to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Coordinate the Region Review process, distribute plans, and verify permits and agreements.
• Prepare final contract documents for project advertisement and manage addenda.
• Provide technical guidance to designers, develop specifications, and estimates using Unifier.
• Review Design Documentation Packages and Plans for Approval from development to final approval.
• Assess roadside design elements for compliance with WSDOT Design Manual.
• Support regional design operations and participate in project status meetings.

Skills

Engineering principles

Project oversight

Technical proficiency

Communication skills

Leadership

Equity minded

Growth mindset

Service oriented

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

PE/EIT licensure preferred

Tools

Unifier

SharePoint

MS Teams

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 3 to serve as the Olympic Region's Contract Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) Specialist, providing technical expertise, design support, and quality assurance for a variety of transportation projects. This position plays a critical role in reviewing comprehensive plans, supporting project teams throughout the design and PS&E development process, and ensuring compliance with WSDOT policies, standards, and requirements. As the region's expert resource on roadside design compliance, the successful candidate will help ensure transportation projects meet established quality, safety, and stewardship standards while supporting the delivery of safe, reliable, and resilient transportation infrastructure. This position also contributes to WSDOT's mission and strategic goals by fostering a workplace culture grounded in respect, equal opportunity, and belonging.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Transportation Engineer 3 will:

• Review comprehensive Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) contract documents for transportation projects of varying complexity, ensuring accuracy, completeness, consistency, and compliance with WSDOT standards and requirements.
• Coordinate the Region Review process, including distributing plan sets, reviewing and directing approval of contract special provisions, and verifying that required permits, agreements, and supporting documentation are complete.
• Prepare final contract documents for project advertisement and coordinate the preparation and review of addenda to address changes during the advertisement phase.
• Provide technical guidance and specialized support to project designers throughout PS&E development, including preparing specifications, developing Engineer's estimates, and using engineering software such as Unifier.
• Review and track project Design Documentation Packages, Design Variances, and Plans for Approval (PFA) from initial development through final approval, ensuring compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Evaluate roadside design elements for compliance with WSDOT Design Manual policies, interpreting design criteria and providing expert guidance to ensure proper implementation.
• Contribute to updates of regional manuals and special provisions, participate in weekly project status meetings, and facilitate meetings as needed to support project coordination and delivery.
• Support regional design operations by completing special projects, serving as the Design Support Supervisor in their absence, and performing other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

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

• Engineering Knowledge: Demonstrated experience applying engineering principles, methods, and practices to project management in transportation or construction environments. This includes expertise in design development, construction techniques, and/or contract administration.
• Project & Design Oversight: Ability to oversee and review engineering designs and documentation to ensure accuracy, compliance with standards, and constructability, while supervising the preparation of plans, specifications, and cost estimates.
• Technical & Digital Proficiency: Advanced skills in operating Windows-based systems and engineering software, including MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, SharePoint, Outlook), MS Teams, computer-aided engineering applications, cloud-based platforms, and system databases for project tracking and information management.
• Communication Skills: Advanced skills in professional communication, specifically in communicating technical information effectively and professionally to a diverse audience, including those with non-technical backgrounds, virtually, by phone, and in person.
• Leadership & Supervision: Skills to lead and supervise a diverse workforce by fostering collaboration across boundaries, building and maintaining effective teams, coaching and mentoring staff, and encouraging engagement and professional growth.
• Equity Minded: The ability to take action to learn and grow. The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

• Growth Mindset:Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented:Takes action to meet the needs of others.

In addition to the above, the following are also required:

• Ability to traverse rough, steep, and uneven terrain.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Public Sector Transportation Design Experience:Demonstrated ability to apply knowledge of transportation project design within a government agency setting, including navigating public sector processes, standards, and stakeholder coordination.
• Professional Engineering Certification and Licensure:Demonstrated commitment to professional engineering standards through attainment or progression toward certification, such as Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Professional Engineer (PE) licensure in Washington State.
• Civil Engineering Education and Knowledge:Demonstrated foundational knowledge of civil engineering principles and practices, typically gained through completion of a bachelor's or master's degree in civil engineering or a closely related field from an accredited institution.

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 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.

Contact Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at [e-mail]. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-OR-32004 in the subject line.