Civil Engineer

Full Job Description

As a Civil Engineer with Metro Transit, you will help shape everything from major transit hubs to smaller projects that make a real difference in daily travel.

You will design, review, solve problems, collaborate, create engineering plans and reports, support project managers with budgets and schedules, and ensure consultant work meets Metro’s high standards.

You will also play a key role in early planning for integrated, multimodal transportation facilities. It is fast-paced, meaningful work that keeps people moving across King County.

About King County Metro Transit

Metro Transit is a nationally recognized leader in sustainable, efficient, and customer-centered public transportation.

The Capital Division brings new service programs like RapidRide to life, modernizing aging infrastructure, and supporting safe and reliable transit operations through continuous upgrades and maintenance.

Every capital project reflects Metro’s commitment to cost conscious green building and long-term sustainable development.

Why Work at King County Metro

• Be part of a nationally recognized agency advancing sustainable and equitable public transportation.
• Shape meaningful projects that improve daily travel for thousands of riders.
• Join a workplace that prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Enjoy a hybrid work environment supported by collaborative teams.
• Access competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus life and disability insurance and retirement options through the PERS pension system and 457(b) plan.
• Benefit from generous paid time off, including holidays, vacation, sick leave, parental leave, and volunteer leave.

• Take advantage of additional programs such as commuter benefits with an ORCA pass, flexible spending accounts, wellness resources, activity centers, and EAP support.

We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives, life experience, and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

This recruitment will be used to fill multiple Career Service vacancies.

In addition, this selection process may be used to generate an eligibility pool for future Career Service, Term-limited Temporary or Special Duty Assignment vacancies that may occur in this classification within the Capital Division.

The eligibility pool will be retained 12 months from the time it is established and may be extended or used at the discretion of the hiring authority.

Questions? If you have questions regarding this position or recruitment, please contact Angela Alcaraz, Sr. Talent Advisor at aalcaraz@kingcounty.gov.

Requirements

Applying equity, racial, and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work. As a Civil Engineer, you will also:

• Develop and evaluate project alternatives, designs, and cost estimates for transit bases and passenger facilities.
• Prepare drawings, technical specifications, and predesign/alternatives analysis reports.
• Perform civil engineering for site development, utilities, grading, drainage, stormwater, pavement, and street improvements.
• Coordinate with mechanical, structural, and electrical teams to produce integrated designs.
• Review consultant designs and cost estimates for quality and accuracy.
• Support project scopes, schedules, budgets, and serve as project engineer on multidisciplinary teams.
• Provide construction-phase support, including submittal reviews and field inspections.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external agencies to resolve technical issues and prepare construction documents.
• Participate in design reviews for major regional transit projects.
• Mentor junior engineers and support maintenance staff as needed.
• Perform other related job duties.
  

Qualifications

Education & Licensure

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.
• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license. Candidates licensed outside Washington must obtain Washington State PE licensure within six months of hire through reciprocity.

Experience

• Five years of experience as a design civil engineer on multidisciplinary projects, OR equivalent education/experience with active PE registration.

• Background in civil site development, including stormwater, sanitary sewer, water systems, grading, pavement, and sidewalks.
• Demonstrated experience delivering stormwater projects (planning, modeling, design, permitting, and construction support).
• Familiarity with Western Washington and King County Stormwater Management Manuals.
• Ability to lead and oversee production of construction contract documents.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical judgment and ability to make independent engineering decisions.
• Effective communication skills, including explaining technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Experience preparing technical and budget documents for diverse audiences.
• Proficiency with standard engineering and office software (e.g., AutoCAD, AutoTURN, Bluebeam, Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Teams).

Field & Physical Requirements

• Ability to climb stairs and ladders, access roof and platform mounted equipment, and enter confined spaces.
• Comfortable performing field work in varied environments, including urban streets and remote areas.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license (or ability to obtain by hire date) and ability to travel to multiple worksites.

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• Experience with life-cycle cost analysis and estimating.
• Knowledge of WSDOT Standard Specifications.
• General knowledge of structural, geotechnical, traffic, and transportation engineering.
• Experience designing multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Knowledge of land-use codes related to parking standards.
• Experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D, GIS, and/or Revit (BIM).
• Experience working on multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Additional Information

To Apply:

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact Angela Alcaraz, Sr.

Talent Advisor at aalcaraz@kingcounty.gov.

Required Application Materials:

• Submit an online application through our careers site. Update your application with all relevant work history going back at least 10 years (or more if necessary), including detailed job duties, dates of employment, and clear explanations for reasons for leaving.
• Attach a resume and cover letter that highlights how your experience, knowledge, and skills align with the position's responsibilities. Your cover letter should also clearly articulate your interest in this position.
• Thoroughly respond to all required Supplemental Questions within the application.

Please visit this page if you need assistance with your application, need links to Career Support Services, and for Application FAQs - Find a job with us - King County, Washington.

Selection Process:

Applications and required documents will be reviewed for clarity, thoroughness, competitiveness, and writing skills.

Your application must confirm and support your answers to the supplemental questions and any experience mentioned in your resume.

If responses cannot be validated within your application, or if applications are missing the required materials listed in this job announcement, candidates may be removed from consideration.

The most competitive candidates may be asked to participate in one or more panel interviews.

Final scores may be weighted to consider overall application materials, relevant experience, and interview scores.

Offers and start dates will be finalized after completing any required pre-employment screenings, such as reference checks and/or internal record reviews.

Work Schedule:

Our regular business hours are 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. However, work outside of these hours may occasionally be required. This position is classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay. We may also consider flexible hours.

Work Location:

Metro Transit works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is 201 S. Jackson Street, Seattle, WA.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely.

The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.

Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

Union Membership: This position is represented by TEA.

Class Code: 7140400 Transit Engineer IV

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.