River and Floodplain Engineer
King County
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Posted: February 24, 2026 (1 day ago)
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Assistant Project Engineer (WMS2) | Union Gap
State of Washington
Dept. of Transportation
Location
Washington, 98504
Salary
$7,668 - $9,834
per month
Type
Full-Time
More Engineering jobs →Closes
March 11, 2026
Job Description
Summary
This job involves helping to run a design office for transportation projects, where you'll oversee teams of engineers and technicians to plan, design, and prepare contracts for highway improvements and repairs.
You'll also manage budgets, schedules, and work with partners to solve problems and ensure projects stay on track.
It's a great fit for someone with engineering experience who enjoys leading teams and handling complex, long-term projects in a government setting.
Key Requirements
- Experience managing a multidisciplinary team of professional and technical engineers
- Professional Engineer's (PE) license to certify design documents and plans
- Skills in project planning, including budgeting, scheduling, and workforce allocation for multi-year projects
- Ability to coordinate with stakeholders, resolve conflicts, and negotiate agreements with partners and regulatory agencies
- Expertise in reviewing and managing consultant work, designs, and contracts
- Supervisory experience, including assigning work, evaluating performance, coaching, mentoring, and corrective actions
- Technical knowledge in civil engineering for providing direction on design and construction issues
Full 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 manages the world's longest floating bridge, leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds the record for the world’s widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!
The Opportunity
WSDOT is seeking an Assistant Project Engineer to support the management of a Design project office overseeing multiple engineer and technician squads, along with clerical staff, in the delivery of Capitol Improvement Preservation Program (CIPP) projects.
This role will contribute to the planning, scoping, pre-design, design, and contract preparation of Improvement, Preservation, and emergency projects, and may occasionally include administering highway construction contracts.
A strong candidate will possess project management expertise, technical engineering knowledge, leadership skills, and the ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams through complex project phases.
What to Expect
This position assists in the supervision of an engineering design office currently staffed with 10-20 professional and technical engineering employees (based on non-permanent and summer intern employment).
The highest position managed is a Transportation Engineer 3. This position also assists in managing consulting engineering firms, specialty engineering, and survey services on an as-needed basis.
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Assistant Project Engineer will:
- Manage an office of professional and technical engineers for the delivery of assigned CIPP projects.
- Certify, by use of professional engineer's stamp, that all WSDOT and federal standards and policies were followed in the development of all design documents, plans, and specifications that were produced for projects.
- Strategically plan the budget, schedule, and workforce necessary to deliver CIPP projects over the design phase of projects (up to several years depending on complexity).
- Coordinate with outside partners, stakeholders, and internal departments in the development and implementation of project management plans; resolve conflicts efficiently and optimize scope, schedule, and budget.
- Manage and review consultant work plans, work orders and designs
- Provide expert technical direction on construction and design issues.
- Perform supervisory duties for office employees including assigning work, evaluating performance, coaching, training and taking corrective action; mentor and develop employees.
- Facilitate agreements between competing interest groups and regulatory agencies, including real estate interests, considering the long-term goals of the agency, negotiating and problem-solving to resolve conflicts.
- Coordinate, attend and present at stakeholder outreach events or other project coordination efforts with internal and external stakeholders.
Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:
- Team Leadership & Supervision: Experience managing a multidisciplinary office of professional and technical engineers. Skilled in assigning work, evaluating performance, coaching, mentoring, and administering corrective actions in support of a high-performing team.
- Project Oversight & Accountability: Accountable for project reporting to stakeholders and leadership, ensuring transparency, fiscal responsibility, and strategic alignment of projects with organizational goals.
- Stakeholder & Interagency Collaboration: Skilled in building and maintaining strong working relationships with external agencies, consultants, tribal governments, contractors, municipalities, media, and the public to support project planning and execution.
- Construction & Design Expertise: Experience providing expert technical guidance on complex construction and design issues, ensuring projects meet all applicable engineering, environmental, and regulatory standards at the federal, state, and local levels.
- Contract & Regulatory Compliance: Skills to ensure all phases of project delivery adhere to applicable laws, environmental permit requirements, emergency contract administration protocols, and real estate agreements.
- Communication & Presentation: Skills to effectively communicate complex design and technical information orally and in writing, presenting data clearly to support informed decision-making across diverse audiences.
- Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
- Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.
In addition to the required competencies above, the following are also required:
- Licensed as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or the ability to obtain licensure in Washington State within twelve (12) months of hire, demonstrating advanced technical knowledge and adherence to professional standards in engineering practices
- A valid driver’s license and the ability to operate state-owned vehicles.
It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:
- Technical Engineering Expertise: Demonstrated ability to understand and apply highway engineering practices, technical procedures, and management processes, including geometric design and construction practices obtained through formal education, and/or extensive experience.
- Surveying and Field Proficiency: Solid understanding of surveying methods and practices relevant to transportation project development.
- Real Estate and Property Management: Knowledge of real estate practices, including appraisal, acquisition, condemnation, and property management as they relate to transportation projects.
- Environmental Compliance: Understanding of environmental policy, regulations, documentation, and permitting processes impacting transportation projects.
- Project Management: Skilled in applying principles and techniques of project management, including scheduling, budget control, and coordination of multidisciplinary teams.
In addition to the preferred competencies above, the following is also preferred:
- License as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington.
*To review the full Position Description, please follow the directions in the Contact Us section of this posting.
Important Notes
- This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
- This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options. Some in-person work is required.
- This position requires a Professional Engineers License issued by the State of Washington. License holders from other states will be expected to obtain a WA State PE license within twelve (12) months of hire.
- 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
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.
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 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 of three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. NOTE: This information may 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.
Contact Us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at Robyn.Lovely@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-SCR-5W029 in the subject line.
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