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 Lacey Design Project Engineer to lead the delivery of transportation design projects and provide engineering oversight as a licensed Professional Engineer. In this leadership role, you will ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with WSDOT quality standards to produce biddable, constructible, and maintainable designs. You will oversee project performance, promote transparency and accountability, and ensure cost-effective, technically sound solutions are incorporated into construction contracts. This position also fosters a collaborative, inclusive workplace that supports employee development while serving as a representative of WSDOT with legislators, local agencies, industry partners, and the public. Your work will directly support WSDOT's mission by advancing safe, high-quality transportation solutions that serve Washington's long-term needs.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Design Project Engineer will:

• Lead an engineering office responsible for delivering transportation design projects on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with quality management standards.
• Provide engineering oversight to ensure project documentation, risk management, and project deliverables meet WSDOT standards, policies, and procedures.
• Certify design deliverables by applying a Professional Engineer (PE) stamp in accordance with applicable engineering requirements.
• Plan and manage project budgets, schedules, workforce resources, and Capital Improvement Project Program (CIPP) delivery strategies.
• Monitor and report project scope, schedules, budgets, and performance to regional and statewide executive leadership to promote accountability and informed decision-making.
• Collaborate with internal teams, support offices, external partners, and stakeholders to achieve project and organizational goals.
• Support construction activities by providing engineering expertise and partnering with regional leadership and communications staff to implement project outreach strategies.
• Develop and lead staff by overseeing personnel actions, fostering a safe and inclusive workplace, and promoting training, professional growth, and employee engagement.

Qualifications

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

• Professional Licensure: Current registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in Civil Engineering in the State of Washington, or current registration as a Professional Engineer in another U.S. state. Candidates licensed in another state must obtain Washington State Professional Engineer licensure within six (6) months of employment.\
• Strategic Planning and Organizational Alignment: Demonstrated ability to support or lead strategic planning efforts, including setting priorities, establishing performance expectations, and aligning resources to organizational and program goals.
• Civil Engineering Technical Knowledge & Application: Excellent knowledge of the department's design and construction principles and practices, contracting methods and procedures, stewardship agreement, and program (budget, schedule, environmental, quality, etc.). Knowledge of common transportation issues, and methods for analyzing and resolving transportation problems.
• Project Management & Scheduling: A strong working knowledge of principles of management. Demonstrated experience managing complex capital transportation projects to meet established scope, schedule, budget, quality, and documentation requirements while managing risks. Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize limited resources amongst competing priorities.
• Regulatory, Policy & Environmental Compliance: Familiarity of applicable laws, regulations, permits, and agency policies, including environmental requirements, throughout project development and construction. Ability to integrate compliance requirements into project delivery.
• Strategic Planning & Resource Management: Strong skills in establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support overall strategy/results, monitoring, measuring performance, and making necessary course corrections. Demonstrated ability to plan and manage project budgets, schedules, staffing, and consultant resources to deliver capital programs effectively and efficiently.
• Leadership: Experience leading and supervising professional and technical staff, including providing direction, performance feedback, fostering a culture of accountability and performance, and addressing personnel matters.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Building: Ability to collaborate effectively with internal staff, external agencies, consultants, contractors, elected officials, and the public to define and deliver project requirements.
• Communication & Executive Reporting: Demonstrated ability to communicate technical, financial, and schedule information clearly and effectively, including reporting project status to executive leadership. The ability to evaluate, coordinate, and respond to customers.
• Problem Solving, Decision-Making & Conflict Resolution: Proven ability to identify issues, evaluate options, and implement practical solutions. Skilled in conflict resolution and facilitating constructive dialogue. Proven ability to make timely decisions in the best interest of the department.
• Driver’s License: Demonstrated ability to travel to project sites as required to fulfill project responsibilities. Must possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted Driver’s License.

• 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 is also required:

• Ability to work periodic evenings and weekends as needed to support project delivery and emergency response.
• Ability to traverse rough, steep, and uneven terrain.
  
  

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Technical responsibilities: Progressively responsible experience as a licensed professional engineer in construction or design of highways, bridges, and related structures.
• Consultant & Construction Contract Management: Experience managing engineering consultants.
• Project Delivery Methods: Experience designing, procuring, and administering transportation projects through design-bid-build and design-build methodologies.
• Change Management: Demonstrated knowledge and experience managing organizational or project-level changes. Ability to lead teams through transitions in scope, structure, policy, or project delivery approach using effective change management strategies.
• Public Sector Transportation Experience: Experience delivering capital transportation projects within a public-sector environment.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• The salary range listed includes the 2% general wage increase, effective on July 1, 2026.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• Work is performed both in an office setting and in the field, including periodic visits to active heavy civil construction sites. This position requires the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), participation in site-specific safety planning, and awareness of construction hazards such as heavy equipment, vehicle traffic, steep or uneven terrain, and exposure to exhaust and other outdoor conditions.
• 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 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 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 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?

How to Apply

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.

In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:

• An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• Contact details for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.

Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.

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.

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.

Contact Us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at Yasmin.Munoz@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-OR-3W148e in the subject line.