Design Project Team Lead (TE3)

About WSDOT The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

The Opportunity WSDOT is currently seeking a skilled engineering leader to serve as a Design Project Team Lead (Transportation Engineer 3) in Shoreline, WA. In this role, you will lead a team of engineers and technicians responsible for developing high-quality Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) packages that support the delivery of critical highway projects. You will provide technical leadership and direction while ensuring projects are designed in accordance with established WSDOT standards and are positioned for successful delivery.

As the Design Project Team Lead, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the safety, reliability, and continued improvement of Washington’s transportation system. You will oversee assigned projects from development through delivery, ensuring they remain within scope, schedule, and budget, while collaborating with project partners and supporting your team’s success. Just as importantly, this position plays a key role in developing and mentoring engineers and technicians into WSDOT’s future leaders, making this an excellent opportunity for an experienced engineer who is passionate about both project delivery and developing people.

What to Expect Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Transportation Engineer 3 will:

• Utilize the available resources to coordinate the day-to-day activities of assigned projects to ensure successful delivery of these projects.
• Prepare design documentation files, environmental documentation, right of way plans, Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E), or any other project delivery related task.
• Verify deliverables meet current standards and guidelines.
• Ensure delivery and oversight of preparing and updating project management plans.
• Facilitate the preparation, resource loading, and updating of project schedules.
• Implement Quality Control and Quality Audit of project work, including but not limited to any alignment, earthwork, drainage, quantity, and other technical work done by subordinates on the project and provide feedback.
• Guide subordinates in making technical engineering decisions on higher-risk or complex items.
• Perform field work in order to ensure the accuracy of data or gather new data.

Qualifications To be considered for this opportunity, the following competencies are required:

• Foundational Engineering Knowledge: Demonstrated understanding of civil, structural, geotechnical, or transportation engineering principles and experience applying engineering principles, techniques, and procedures to the design of various transportation projects.
• Project Management Knowledge: Demonstrated ability to develop, monitor, and update project schedules and plans; manage scope, time, and resources effectively; and deliver projects in compliance with applicable standards and milestones.
• Technical Interpretation and Analysis: Skilled in reading, interpreting, analyzing, and producing contract plans, specifications, and cost estimates in accordance with project requirements and engineering standards.
• Leadership Skills: Ability to lead and coach subordinate staff, including evaluating performance, identifying training needs, and resolving personnel issues.
• Communication and Interpersonal Proficiency: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate technical information clearly to a variety of stakeholders including engineers, contractors, and the public.
• Contract Development & Technical Documentation: Demonstrated ability to develop, prepare, review, and interpret engineering contracts and Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E), reports, plans, specifications, and other technical documents for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable requirements.
• Engineering Analysis & Problem Solving: Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply engineering manuals, standards, policies, and technical guidance; evaluate technical information; formulate engineering solutions; and develop sound recommendations based on project requirements and established standards.
• Data Analysis & Decision-Making: Demonstrated ability to organize, analyze, and interpret qualitative and quantitative data, identify relevant information and trends, and draw accurate, well-supported conclusions to inform engineering decisions and project delivery.
• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.

The following qualifications are also required:

• A valid driver’s license and the ability to operate state-owned vehicles.
• Ability to maneuver and transport various materials and/or equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to traverse different terrains during all weather conditions to perform field review.
• Ability to travel to various locations throughout the state.
• Ability to traverse rough, steep, and uneven terrain and work elevated heights, above 25 feet over land or water.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Engineering Staff Leadership: Demonstrated experience supervising, mentoring, or providing technical leadership to engineering staff, including assigning work, providing guidance, and supporting staff development and successful project delivery.
• End-to-End Project Development: Demonstrated experience leading or contributing to the development of Design-Bid-Build transportation projects from initial development through final PS&E delivery, including coordinating project activities, resolving technical issues, and meeting scope, schedule, and budget requirements.
• Transportation Design Software: Demonstrated proficiency using Bentley MicroStation, InRoads, OpenRoads, or comparable engineering design software to develop, review, or modify transportation project designs.
• Transportation Engineering Design: Demonstrated experience applying technical design principles to transportation projects, which may include horizontal and vertical alignments, geometric design, hydraulic design, survey and right-of-way plans, and other roadway or highway design elements.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• The salary listed includes the legislative approved 5% salary premium for positions in King County.
• 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.
• 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

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.

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.

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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 at [email protected] . Please be sure to reference Transportation Engineer 3 #13497 in the subject line.