Intelligent Transportation Systems Program Manager, PE (Senior Civil Engineer)

Full Job Description

Join us in shaping Seattle’s streets!

At the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), we don’t just move people—we connect communities, build safer streets, and create a more sustainable city.

With a bold vision for the future, we’re tackling big challenges: making travel safer, cutting carbon emissions, and ensuring reliable, affordable transportation for everyone—no matter who they are or where they live.

Seattle is growing fast, and we’re growing with it. Thanks to a historic voter-approved $1.55 billion investment in transportation in 2024, we’re building sidewalks, fixing bridges, and improving transit connections to keep our city moving.

We’re a team of problem solvers, planners, engineers, communicators, and field crews—bringing purpose-driven work to life. Now, we need passionate, innovative talent like you. Let’s build a Seattle that works for everyone—together!

Position Overview:
SDOT's Transportation Operations Division (TOD) is looking to hire an Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Program Manager (PM) (under the City's classification title of Senior Civil Engineer) on the Capital Improvement Programs team. The ITS PM will lead the planning, budgeting, program management and grants project management for ITS related projects. This position works with a team of professionals whose mission is to deliver a safe, reliable, efficient, and socially equitable transportation system that enhances Seattle’s environment and economic vitality. The position will be responsible for the financial and programmatic delivery of capital projects and infrastructure improvements of intelligent transportation systems within SDOT. ITS includes traffic signal control and management systems, dynamic message signs (DMS), closed-circuit camera systems (CCTV), data analytics and collection systems, communications infrastructure, and many other systems and devices.

The program will expand and improve a system of over 1,110 traffic signals, more than 300 CCTV’s, 60+ DMS’s, over 150 miles of communication lines, over 550 flashing beacons, and numerous other devices. The programmatic delivery of ITS projects will include supporting the Seattle Transportation Plan and the new Seattle Transportation Levy. The position will have the opportunity to continue to make SDOT one of the nation’s leading agencies for implementing the latest innovations in traffic operations and transportation technology. These ITS systems are an integral part to making the City of Seattle a vibrant community that supports safety, mobility for all users, economic vitality and sociably equitable for everyone who works, lives and visits the City. This position reports to the Capital Improvement Program Supervisor.

Requirements

• Supports the programmatic modernization of SDOT’s ITS, which includes signal control and management systems, dynamic message signs, closed-circuit camera systems, data analytics and collection systems, communications infrastructure, and many other systems and devices.
• Manages the capital project delivery, budget, and finances, including preparing work orders, developing draft design plans, and field investigations.
• Manages the process for tracking and inventorying ITS assets, developing useful life models, creating long term maintenance and replacement plans, and securing budgets for the preservation of ITS infrastructure.
• Develops program budgets and spend plans by working with supervisors, managers, and the finance team.
• Develops technical knowledge and expertise in modern ITS technologies, hardware and software, and other innovations through training, attending technical conferences and classes, networking, and project experiences.
• Coordinates work with other teams, divisions, departments, and agencies, public and private, including Signal Operations, the Transportation Operations Center (TOC), SDOT Capital Projects, Seattle City Light (SCL), Seattle Department of Information Technology (DoIT) and consultant firms.
• Sets up and managing consultant, procurement, purchasing, design, and construction contracts
• Responds to public inquiries from community members and business owners regarding ITS-related work.
• Prepares reports, briefings, and presentations to other city staff members, managers, community groups, and other members of the general public.
• Supports the department’s goals of delivering the Seattle Transportation Plan and projects related to the Seattle Transportation Levy.
• Supports the division’s goals to help maintain and operate the City’s assets and infrastructure in the right-of-way.
• Reviews transportation plans and policies and provides technical recommendations to help meet the Division’s and Department’s missions and goals and ensure they align with the City’s design standards and specifications.
• Support department goals in promoting diversity and social justice.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Five (5) or more years professional civil engineering experience;
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or Civil Engineering Technology;

OR: A combinations of education and/or training and/or experience, which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Washington.
• Current Washington State driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

You’ll be successful in this role if you have:

• Experience leading a team.
• Three (3)+ years of capital project management experience.
• Advanced knowledge of Intelligent Transportation Systems, Traffic Signal Systems and Traffic Network Communications Systems.
• Advanced knowledge of reading ITS design plans, standards and specifications.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suites.
• Excellent record keeping and customer service skills.
• Effectively work in a multi-cultural workplace with a diverse customer base.

Additional Information

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• Most work is performed in a normal City work/office environment with hybrid options at this time.
• Field assignments entail exposure to all types of weather, traffic, hazardous/toxic substances and work in or near construction sites.
• May be required to lift over 50 pounds.
• May be required to stand, walk, or bend for extended periods of time.
• May be required to work nights, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Overnight travel may be required.

Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including background check.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The full salary range for this position is $74.99 - $87.31 per hour.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.
More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences.

Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, veterans and those with diverse life experiences.

Accommodations for people with disabilities are provided on request.

The City is a Drug Free Workplace.