Transportation Engineer 3

State of Washington; Wenatchee (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation and holidays

Tuition assistance

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is hiring a Transportation Engineer 3 to lead design and construction activities within the Project Engineering Office. This role focuses on delivering safe, reliable highway projects while ensuring compliance with standards and contracts.

The position emphasizes project oversight, mentorship, and collaboration with internal teams and external partners to advance infrastructure across Washington. Hybrid remote options available.

Qualifications

• Foundational knowledge of transportation engineering principles and experience applying concepts, standards, and practices in the delivery of transportation projects.
• Experience in preparing and managing project development schedules.
• Experience in leading, training, and overseeing staff in the successful completion of project work.
• Experience inspecting contractor work, including preparing field note records and daily reports and ensuring contractor compliance with regulatory standards.
• Experience evaluating data, using standard engineering software to create designs and plan sheets, and preparing records, estimates, and other documents.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including coordinating with diverse audiences and running meetings.
• Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Demonstrates willingness to take action to meet the needs of others.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee contracts and design documentation for State Highway projects, including reports, contract plans, specifications, and estimates.
• Manage project development schedules, coordinate deliverables and milestones with support offices, project engineers, and outside partners, and report project status, schedule, and budget to Engineering Management.
• Direct complex and multiple small-scale design projects through design and plan preparation, including roadway, environmental, right of way, access control, and specialized engineering features.
• Perform CADD and computer-aided design work, evaluate field and engineering data, and analyze accident, traffic, hydraulics, environmental constraints, and design standards to support project development.
• Mentor others in the proper implementation of WSDOT design processes, design documentation, inspection methods, and contract requirements.
• Serve as Chief Inspector for multiple construction projects, overseeing contractor work and ensuring compliance with contract plans, specifications, and requirements.
• Direct and perform construction inspection activities, including staking, field data and paying quantities, earthwork, concrete, asphalt paving, drainage, highway structures, materials testing, and plant operations.
• Coordinate with contractors, Office Engineers, and engineering staff; prepare and coordinate contract estimates and final records; and document contract work and field activities.

Skills

Engineering Knowledge

Project Management

Leadership

Construction Inspection

Roadway Design

Communication

Growth Mindset

Service-Oriented

Education

Licensed Professional Engineer

Engineer in Training (EIT)

Tools

OpenRoads

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 provide leadership across design and construction engineering functions within the Project Engineering Office (PEO). This position plays a key role in delivering highway projects that improve the safety, quality, and capacity of Washington’s transportation system. Through effective oversight of design and construction activities, this position helps ensure projects are developed and built to meet WSDOT standards, contract requirements, and the needs of the traveling public. The work directly supports WSDOT’s mission by helping deliver a safe, reliable, and resilient transportation system for communities across the state.

What to Expect

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

• Develop and oversee contracts and design documentation for State Highway projects, including reports, contract plans, specifications, and estimates.
• Manage project development schedules, coordinate deliverables and milestones with support offices, project engineers, and outside partners, and report project status, schedule, and budget to Engineering Management.
• Direct complex and multiple small-scale design projects through design and plan preparation, including roadway, environmental, right of way, access control, and specialized engineering features.
• Perform CADD and computer-aided design work, evaluate field and engineering data, and analyze accident, traffic, hydraulics, environmental constraints, and design standards to support project development.
• Mentor others in the proper implementation of WSDOT design processes, design documentation, inspection methods, and contract requirements.
• Serve as Chief Inspector for multiple construction projects, overseeing contractor work and ensuring compliance with contract plans, specifications, and requirements.
• Direct and perform construction inspection activities, including staking, field data and paying quantities, earthwork, concrete, asphalt paving, drainage, highway structures, materials testing, and plant operations.
• Coordinate with contractors, Office Engineers, and engineering staff; prepare and coordinate contract estimates and final records; and document contract work and field activities.

Qualifications

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

• Engineering Knowledge – Foundational knowledge of transportation engineering principles and experience applying concepts, standards, and practices in the delivery of transportation projects.
• Project Management: Experience in preparing and managing project development schedules.
• Leadership:Experience in leading, training, and overseeing staff in the successful completion of project work.
• Construction Inspection:Experience inspecting contractor work, including preparing field note records and daily reports and ensuring contractor compliance with regulatory standards.
• Roadway Design:Experience evaluating data, using standard engineering software to create designs and plan sheets, and preparing records, estimates, and other documents. Knowledge of databases, manuals, and other documents to ensure conformity to design standards.
• Communication:Effective written and verbal communication skills, including coordinating with diverse audiences and running meetings.
• Growth Mindset:Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented:Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others.

In addition to one of the above, the following are also required

• Field Travel and Vehicle Operation: Valid driver’s license and the ability to operate state-owned vehicles for travel to and between project sites, including remote areas and locations inaccessible to the public (such as shoulders or active construction zones).
• Physical Mobility and Terrain Navigation: Ability to traverse rough, steep, and uneven terrain.
• Physical Capacity and Equipment Handling: Ability to maneuver and transport various materials and/or equipment up to 50 pounds.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Professional Engineering:Certification as a licensed Professional Engineer.
• Engineering Fundamentals:Certification as an Engineer in Training (EIT).
• Engineering Design Technology:Proficiency in the engineering design software OpenRoads.
• Geographic Knowledge:Knowledge of the surrounding area.

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.
• 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, please visit www.uscis.gov

Why WSDOT

• Work-Life Balance – We are committed to ensuring 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 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.