Multiple Highway Maintenance Worker 2 - Hybrid Incident Response / Pavement Marking
State of Washington
FreshPosted Jan 8
Recent Listing
Posted: January 5, 2026 (9 days ago)
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Pavement Research Engineer (TE4)
State of Washington
Dept. of Transportation
Location
Washington, 98504
Salary
$87,048 - $117,120
per year
Type
Full Time
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January 19, 2026More State jobs →
Job Description
Summary
This job involves working as an expert on road surfaces for Washington's transportation department, focusing on researching, designing, and improving how pavements are built and maintained to make travel safer and more efficient.
You'll coordinate studies, test new materials, analyze costs, and advise on projects across the state.
It's a great fit for a licensed civil engineer with hands-on experience in road construction and a passion for innovative, sustainable infrastructure solutions.
Key Requirements
- Licensed as a Professional Engineer in Washington State (or another state with ability to obtain WA licensure within 6 months)
- Extensive experience in pavement engineering principles, including design, preservation, rehabilitation, and construction
- Proficiency in preparing pavement design reports and performing life cycle cost analysis
- Ability to review plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) for complex highway projects
- Skills in observing and interpreting pavement conditions in the field and from images
- Competence in coordinating, performing, and overseeing nonstandard pavement testing and data collection
- Experience maintaining databases for research projects, experimental features, and paving initiatives
Full Job Description
About WSDOT
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal organization with a global reputation for excellence!
Our dedicated workforce is responsible to plan, design, build, and operate an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state.
In addition to maintaining over 18,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, executes an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds a record for the world's widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!
The Opportunity
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a Professional Engineer to serve as the Pavement Research Engineer (TE4) in Tumwater, Washington.
This position provides technical expertise in pavement design and pavement construction in support of WSDOT’s statewide construction program.
In this role, the Pavement Research Engineer serves as a subject matter expert supporting the development, evaluation, and implementation of pavement design and construction practices.
The position also supports pavement research activities and the implementation of new pavement technologies to improve pavement performance, safety, and long-term asset management across the state transportation system.
This position offers an opportunity to contribute professional engineering expertise to the advancement of pavement design and construction practices that support WSDOT’s mission to provide safe, reliable, and sustainable transportation systems for Washington State.
What to Expect
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Pavement Research Engineer will:
- Coordinate State Pavement Office research program.
- Plan, develop, provide insight and direction, analyze, and write reports of statewide experimental pavement procedures to determine benefits, cause and effectiveness, performance, and life cycle costs.
- Direct, coordinate, and perform nonstandard data collection and testing for pavement related research conducted in partnership with FHWA, Universities, Consultants, and the State Pavement Office.
- Maintain information and databases for in-house research projects, Experimental Features Projects, Specialty Item Projects, in addition to bituminous and concrete paving projects statewide.
- Oversee the Pavement Type Selection process.
- Provide expert technical assistance to internal and external customers regarding pavement design.
Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:
- Professional Engineer: Licensed as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or licensed as a PE in another state with the ability to obtain licensure in Washington State within six (6) months of hire.
- Project Management & Scheduling: 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.
- Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
- Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.
Civil Engineering Expertise: Extensive experience applying pavement engineering principles, including pavement design, preservation, rehabilitation, and construction practices.
Proficient in preparing pavement design reports, performing life cycle cost analysis, and reviewing plans, specifications, and estimated (PS&E) for complex highway and transportation infrastructure projects.
Ability to observe and interpret pavement condition in the field and from images on a computer.
Technical Oversight & Data Governance: Proven competence in coordinating, performing, and overseeing nonstandard pavement testing and data collection activities, ensuring methodological consistency, accuracy, and relevance to research objectives.
Ability to maintain, organize, and quality-control research databases, to support evidence-based decision making.
Skill in collecting, interpreting, and synthesizing technical data from diverse sources and producing clear, actionable written reports that inform statewide pavement policy and practice.
Ability to independently operate WSDOT’s test equipment on construction sites as needed.
Effective Communication & Collaboration: Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills to engage internal teams, universities, and stakeholders.
Capable of representing the agency in meetings at both the state and national level. Ability to travel statewide and nationwide for up to 5 consecutive days approximately 3 times a year.
It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:
Advanced Engineering Analysis & Research: Demonstrated ability to plan and conduct advanced civil engineering analysis and research, including developing research questions, applying appropriate methodologies, interpreting results, and translating findings into practical engineering solutions.
This may include experience serving as a principal researcher or completing a thesis-level project that required a high level of technical rigor, analysis, and independent judgment.
Important Notes
- This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
- This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
- To review the full Position Description, please follow the directions in the “Contact Us” section of this posting.
- 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 offer flexible work schedules that allow you time for your life outside of this excellent opportunity.
- 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 a 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. 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 recruiter listed.
Contact Us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Amanda Strebeck, at amanda.strebeck@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference Pavement Research Engineer #00777 in the subject line.
Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes