Lacey Design Project Engineer (WMS3)

State of Washington•Thurston County – Lacey, WA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a Lacey Design Project Engineer to lead the delivery of transportation design projects and provide engineering oversight as a licensed Professional Engineer. In this leadership role, you will ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with WSDOT quality standards to produce biddable, constructible, and maintainable designs. You will oversee project performance, promote transparency and accountability, and ensure cost-effective, technically sound solutions are incorporated into construction contracts. This position also fosters a collaborative, inclusive workplace that supports employee development while serving as a representative of WSDOT with legislators, local agencies, industry partners, and the public. Your work will directly support WSDOT's mission by advancing safe, high-quality transportation solutions that serve Washington's long-term needs.

Requirements

Current registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in Civil Engineering in the State of Washington, or current registration as a Professional Engineer in another U.S. state. Candidates licensed in another state must obtain Washington State Professional Engineer licensure within six (6) months of employment.
Demonstrated ability to support or lead strategic planning efforts, including setting priorities, establishing performance expectations, and aligning resources to organizational and program goals.
Excellent knowledge of the department's design and construction principles and practices, contracting methods and procedures, stewardship agreement, and program (budget, schedule, environmental, quality, etc.). Knowledge of common transportation issues, and methods for analyzing and resolving transportation problems.
A strong working knowledge of principles of management. Demonstrated experience managing complex capital transportation projects to meet established scope, schedule, budget, quality, and documentation requirements while managing risks. Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize limited resources amongst competing priorities.
Familiarity of applicable laws, regulations, permits, and agency policies, including environmental requirements, throughout project development and construction. Ability to integrate compliance requirements into project delivery.
Strong skills in establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support overall strategy/results, monitoring, measuring performance, and making necessary course corrections. Demonstrated ability to plan and manage project budgets, schedules, staffing, and consultant resources to deliver capital programs effectively and efficiently.
Experience leading and supervising professional and technical staff, including providing direction, performance feedback, fostering a culture of accountability and performance, and addressing personnel matters.
Ability to collaborate effectively with internal staff, external agencies, consultants, contractors, elected officials, and the public to define and deliver project requirements.
Demonstrated ability to communicate technical, financial, and schedule information clearly and effectively, including reporting project status to executive leadership. The ability to evaluate, coordinate, and respond to customers.
Proven ability to identify issues, evaluate options, and implement practical solutions. Skilled in conflict resolution and facilitating constructive dialogue. Proven ability to make timely decisions in the best interest of the department.
Demonstrated ability to travel to project sites as required to fulfill project responsibilities. Must possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted Driver’s License.
Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
Takes action to meet the needs of others.
Ability to work periodic evenings and weekends as needed to support project delivery and emergency response.
Ability to traverse rough, steep, and uneven terrain.

Nice To Haves

Progressively responsible experience as a licensed professional engineer in construction or design of highways, bridges, and related structures.
Experience managing engineering consultants.
Experience designing, procuring, and administering transportation projects through design-bid-build and design-build methodologies.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience managing organizational or project-level changes. Ability to lead teams through transitions in scope, structure, policy, or project delivery approach using effective change management strategies.
Experience delivering capital transportation projects within a public-sector environment.

Responsibilities

Lead an engineering office responsible for delivering transportation design projects on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with quality management standards.
Provide engineering oversight to ensure project documentation, risk management, and project deliverables meet WSDOT standards, policies, and procedures.
Certify design deliverables by applying a Professional Engineer (PE) stamp in accordance with applicable engineering requirements.
Plan and manage project budgets, schedules, workforce resources, and Capital Improvement Project Program (CIPP) delivery strategies.
Monitor and report project scope, schedules, budgets, and performance to regional and statewide executive leadership to promote accountability and informed decision-making.
Collaborate with internal teams, support offices, external partners, and stakeholders to achieve project and organizational goals.
Support construction activities by providing engineering expertise and partnering with regional leadership and communications staff to implement project outreach strategies.
Develop and lead staff by overseeing personnel actions, fostering a safe and inclusive workplace, and promoting training, professional growth, and employee engagement.