Assistant Traffic Design Engineer – TE2 (In-Training)
State of Washington
FreshPosted Mar 19
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Posted: March 19, 2026 (1 day ago)
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Design Compliance & Quality Engineer (TE4)
State of Washington
Dept. of Transportation
Location
Washington, 98504
Salary
$91,400 - $123,026
per year
Type
Full-Time
More Inspection & Compliance jobs →Closes
April 8, 2026
SES Pay Grade
Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900
Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
Job Description
Summary
This job involves reviewing designs for various transportation projects to ensure they follow state rules, managing quality checks in the design office, and guiding a team of engineers on highway projects.
It's a leadership role focused on keeping projects safe, compliant, and on track while mentoring others.
A good fit would be an experienced engineer who enjoys supervising teams and has a strong background in transportation design and quality processes.
Key Requirements
- Clear understanding of quality control and quality assurance practices through planning, coordination, and technical direction
- Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and deliver multiple projects on time and within budget, including developing work plans and managing schedules
- Experience supervising, mentoring, and coaching engineering staff, with skills in setting expectations, providing feedback, and fostering accountability
- Knowledge of transportation design and delivery, including leading projects through planning, environmental review, design, and construction phases
- Familiarity with transportation system design principles and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local guidelines
- Ability to review plans, specifications, and estimates for accuracy and consistency with department policies
- Skills in collaborating with designers, experts, and authorities to approve design decisions and provide policy guidance
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 currently seeking a Transportation Engineer 4 to be responsible for reviewing designs and monitoring compliance of a wide range of projects occurring within WSDOT right of way, including but not limited to local agency, developer, and state funded projects.
Additionally, this role works within WSDOT’s Snohomish – King County (SnoKing) Design offices to manage quality control and quality assurance, while also supervising and mentoring direct reports who are actively delivering capital preservation and improvement projects as part of WSDOT’s strategic delivery plan.
This position highly impacts WSDOT’s mission by creating an inclusive environment, encouraging practical solutions, and limiting the Department’s liability by ensuring that design decisions and deliverables meet established federal, state, and local guidelines.
What to Expect
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Design Compliance & Quality Engineer will:
- Review design documents from local agency and developer projects.
- Ensure proper documentation of design decisions and that documentation meets the guidance and policy of the Department.
- Ensure the implementation of WSDOT’s Quality Assurance & Quality Control (QA/QC) practices and procedures.
- Ensure review of plans, specifications, and estimates to verify that they are accurate and consistent with WSDOT policies, practices, and procedures.
- Collaborate with designers, approving authorities, and subject matter experts to ensure design decisions are acceptable by all.
- Provide mentorship and guidance to design team leads, lead designers, subject matter experts and others working to deliver WSDOT highway infrastructure projects
- Coach and mentor direct reports; assist Project Engineer in developing training curriculums and resources.
- Act as the design policy resource for SnoKing Area.
Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity, the following competencies are required:
- Quality Control/Quality Assurance Practices: Clear understanding of how quality control and quality assurance can be achieved through systematic planning, scoping, coordination, supervision, and technical direction.
- Project Management Practices: Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and deliver multiple projects on time and within budget. Skilled in developing work plans, coordinating team efforts, and managing schedules.
- Managing, Supervising, and Coaching: Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and coach engineering staff. Skilled in setting clear expectations, providing timely feedback, and fostering a culture of accountability and performance.
- Respect & Inclusivity: Ability to contribute to a respectful, inclusive, and equitable work environment. Demonstrated experience working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, identities, and perspectives.
- Effective Communication & Collaboration: Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills to engage internal teams, contractors, stakeholders, and the public. Capable of clearly representing the agency’s priorities, expectations, and commitments in meetings and interactions.
- Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
- Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.
Transportation Design & Delivery: Experience leading transportation projects through planning, environmental review, design, and construction.
Familiar with transportation system design principles, guidelines, and regulations, environmental compliance, and state and federal project delivery processes.
It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:
- Certifications & Licenses: Professional Engineer licensure or ability/opportunity to attain licensure in the future; Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
- Design Work: Evidence of increasing responsibility in performing and/or reviewing roadway design work.
Important Notes
- This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
- This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
- The salary listed includes the legislative approved 5% salary premium for positions in King County.
- 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.
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. As such, there are a number of flexible schedule options available, including telework options for eligible positions.
- 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 alyssa.nastasi@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-NWR-12223 in the subject line.
Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes