Senior Civil/Senior Marine Engineer - Washington State Ferries

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

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a Senior Civil Engineer / Senior Marine Engineer for Washington State Ferries (WSF) to provide project management and technical leadership for the design and delivery of ferry terminal projects. This role guides projects from initial scoping through design and construction contract award, ensuring terminal infrastructure supports safe, reliable, and efficient ferry operations. The position contributes to critical infrastructure improvements and WSF’s commitment to Service Excellence, Improved Communication, and Empowered People, while supporting the system's transformation to decarbonization.

Requirements

Knowledge of Civil/structural design, mechanical/electrical design, architectural design, hydraulic and sanitary sewer design, and geotechnical engineering.
Knowledge of Marine construction methods and ferry system operations.
Knowledge of Design-Bid-Build (DBB), Design-Build (DB), and General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM) project delivery methods.
Knowledge of Consultant agreement management, construction engineering, workplace safety practices, and public involvement processes.
Knowledge of Environmental laws, environmental permit applications, and construction permitting.
Knowledge of Uniform Building Code (UBC), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), AASHTO publications, WSDOT design standards, and the Terminal Design Manual (TDM).
Ability to manage complex terminal projects and lead multi-disciplinary design teams.
Ability to plan, supervise, coordinate, analyze, and review engineering plans, technical reports, and multi-faceted work.
Ability to document and manage project risks while exercising independent professional judgment to solve complex engineering challenges.
Ability to negotiate effectively with municipalities and external entities during project permitting processes.
Ability to rigorously apply WSDOT and Terminal Design Manual (TDM) standards.
Ability to communicate clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing, with management, internal teams, and external customers.
Ability to actively contribute to an environment that fosters respect, equity, and equal opportunity.
Professional registration as a Civil Engineer in Washington State, or approved equivalent.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated expertise in civil engineering principles with applied experience in the marine design, construction, and maintenance of ferry terminal or waterfront infrastructure.
Proven ability to integrate multi-disciplinary design elements—civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and geotechnical—into cohesive, constructible solutions.
Competence in applying engineering standards, safety codes, and industry best practices to ensure quality, regulatory compliance, and system reliability in design and construction.
Demonstrated success leading large, complex engineering programs that support safe, reliable, and efficient ferry system operations.
Ability to balance technical, environmental, and operational priorities in decision-making to achieve long-term asset sustainability and performance outcomes.
Experience to foster collaboration among design teams, contractors, operations, and stakeholders to deliver capital and preservation projects on schedule and within budget.
Skilled in applying structured project management methods to deliver Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) and Design-Build packages, including risk assessment, cost estimation, and schedule control.
Demonstrated competency in negotiating and managing consultant contracts, service agreements, and construction partnerships.
Proven ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including executive leadership, regulatory agencies, and the public.
Demonstrated effectiveness in leading or participating in public engagement processes to gather input, build trust, and strengthen project outcomes.

Responsibilities

Prepare and review complex PS&E bid packages, including civil plans, specifications, quantities, cost estimates, and design documentation.
Develop civil and terminal designs, including grading, paving, drainage, traffic control, signing, striping, and horizontal and vertical alignments.
Review designs and approvals for compliance with WSDOT standards, Terminal Design Manual requirements, and engineering criteria.
Lead design for complex terminal preservation and improvement projects, supporting scope, schedule, budget, constructability, and risk management.
Coordinate multidisciplinary design activities and ensure alignment with NEPA/SEPA requirements and WSF operational needs.
Support project management and delivery, including consultant scopes, schedules, risk documentation, status reporting, and spending plans.
Coordinate design and construction activities and represent the design team in cross-functional project meetings.
Provide construction-phase design support, including review of submittals, RFIs, and change orders.
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.