Senior Project Engineer

City of Kirkland • Kirkland, WA

4d

About The Position

The City of Kirkland’s Public Works Department is hiring a Senior Project Engineer for its Capital Improvement section. The position provides senior-level administration and management of complex municipal capital improvement projects, coordinates project assignments and workflows for project engineers, inspectors, engineering assistants, interns, and other support staff, and serves as a technical expert and resource for departmental personnel.

The role manages water, sewer, surface water, and transportation projects from project development through construction and final acceptance. It contributes to the City’s six-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP), helps establish standardized procedures and documentation, provides technical assistance to project engineers and field crews, and supports staff development and performance evaluation. The position also represents the CIP group and the City in internal and regional planning activities, communicates with public officials and community stakeholders, and may perform duties under the City’s emergency response plan.

Work is primarily in an office, with visits to construction sites in varying weather conditions. Site work may involve hazards such as vehicular traffic, construction equipment, uneven terrain, falling or rolling objects, piercing or cutting injuries, and electrical hazards. The position may require climbing ladders or scaffolding and working in trenches or other confined spaces. A valid Washington State driver’s license and continued insurability under the City’s insurance are required to operate motor vehicles.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, or a combination of relevant education and experience demonstrating the ability to perform the essential duties.
• Seven years of increasingly responsible experience working on municipal engineering projects, including three years of direct project management, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Three years of computer experience with CPM, database, spreadsheet, and word processing applications.
• Professional Engineer registration.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license and ability to remain insurable under the City’s insurance to operate motor vehicles.
• Knowledge of civil engineering and construction project management principles and practices as applied to planning, design, inspection, and construction of public works projects.
• Effective written and oral communication skills and ability to work professionally with the public, public officials, department heads and staff, consultants, and contractors.
• Ability to resolve construction conflicts and rapidly analyze technical or legal implications in decision-making; work with the City Attorney and Washington Cities Insurance Authority when necessary.
• Positive leadership and intradepartmental cooperation skills, including work with diverse groups, community interests, or service teams.
• Ability to prioritize competing deadlines, schedules, and limited resources to deliver programs and projects on time.
• Ability to work at construction sites under varying weather conditions and navigate potential site hazards; duties may require climbing ladders or scaffolding and working in trenches or confined spaces.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative, design, and construction management services for water, sewer, surface water, and transportation capital improvement projects.
• Plan, distribute, and coordinate project assignments and workloads among project engineers, inspectors, engineering assistants, and support staff.
• Serve as a technical resource to peers, providing leadership, direction, and support, and ensure timelines and work quality meet established performance measures.
• Assist the Deputy Director of Public Works - Capital Projects with developing and implementing the six-year Capital Improvement Program.
• Assist with CIP staff recruitment, interviews, and performance evaluations.
• Contribute to six-year CIP development through facility master planning, grant procurement, project scoping, and cost estimating.
• Coordinate and maintain standardized procedures, policies, and documentation for the Capital Improvement section.
• Manage assigned projects from scope development through construction and final acceptance.
• Define project scope, estimate costs, establish milestones, and identify risks and resource needs while coordinating with stakeholders to support organizational priorities and on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Prepare project status updates to coordinate and schedule CIP projects with other capital projects, private interests, and municipal interests.
• Provide technical expertise and engineering assistance to project engineers and field crews for City crew improvements, maintenance, and construction.
• Provide oral and written information to City Council, the public, other departments, outside agencies, and other audiences.
• Promote training opportunities and mentor new hires in the CIP group.
• Assist the Deputy Director with performance appraisals for project engineers and CIP support staff.
• Represent the CIP group on City service teams and represent the City and Public Works Department on assigned state, regional, and local planning, value engineering, or charrette teams.
• Foster a positive and supportive workplace and promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Perform other duties as assigned and carry out assigned functions in the City’s emergency response plan.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation packages.
• Benefits described as unmatched by most other employers; specific benefits are referred to on the benefits tab but are not listed in the posting.
• Discounted childcare rates through agreements with two local childcare providers at 10 locations within 20 miles of Kirkland.
• Training opportunities for career development and advancement.
• Annual tool allowance after completing the probationary period.

What This Job Offers

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