Project Engineer - Washington State Ferries

State of Washington • King County - Seattle – Belltown, WA

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a Project Engineer for Washington State Ferries (WSF) to lead construction project delivery that supports safe, reliable ferry operations. This position provides oversight and coordination to deliver quality projects within scope, schedule, and budget while meeting contract requirements and applicable standards. The Project Engineer will collaborate with project partners to resolve construction challenges, prioritize safety, and minimize impacts to travelers and the environment. This role contributes to advancing sustainable, maintainable ferry infrastructure and supports WSF's transformation to decarbonize its system, guided by core values and strategic priorities.

Requirements

• Registration as a Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering within the State of Washington.
• In-depth knowledge of highway design, Plan, Specification, and Estimate (PS&E) preparation.
• In-depth knowledge of project delivery methods including design-bid-build and design-build.
• Understanding of highway construction principles and practices, including field operations and contractor coordination.
• Knowledge of transportation design principles, common transportation issues, and methods for analyzing and resolving transportation problems.
• Understanding of programming, budgeting procedures, and legislative processes as they relate to transportation project planning and execution.
• 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.
• 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.
• Proven ability to identify issues, evaluate options, and implement practical solutions.
• Skilled in conflict resolution and facilitating constructive dialogue.
• Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.

Nice To Haves

• Experience managing engineering consultants and administering construction contracts.
• Experience designing, procuring, and administering transportation projects through design-bid-build and design-build methodologies.
• Familiarity with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and FTA processes, procedures, and requirements for delivering federally funded transportation projects.
• Ability to ensure compliance with federal stewardship obligations, documentation, and reporting standards.
• 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

• Oversee construction, interpret plans and specifications, apply laws, codes, and standards, monitor contractor progress, and process progress payments.
• Plan work and staffing, resolve engineering problems and disputes, and manage project scope, schedule, and budget.
• Partner with contractors, consultants, and agencies to minimize change orders, delays, and claims while protecting the public interest.
• Ensure WSDOT, FHWA, and FTA compliance for documentation and approvals, and ensure plans are constructable, permittable, and biddable.
• Evaluate, negotiate, and approve contract change orders supported by engineering analysis and the public interest.
• Assess risks and opportunities, develop mitigation strategies, and report progress, significant issues, and recommendations to executive management.
• Coordinate adjacent projects with local agencies and DOT offices to improve efficiency, minimize customer impacts, and support partnerships.
• Ensure environmentally responsible project delivery consistent with applicable laws.
• Uphold WSF’s strategic priorities (Service Excellence, Improved Communication, and Empowered People) and values (Serve, Grow, Trust, Respect, and Navigate), ensuring they are embedded in WSF’s culture through leadership actions.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior