Assistant Project Engineer (WMS2) - Burlington

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 worlds longest floating bridge, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

The Opportunity

WSDOT is seeking a collaborative and results-driven Assistant Project Engineer to support the Northwest Regions Burlington Project Engineering Office. In this role, you will assist in managing the development and delivery of design-bid-build and design-build transportation projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with agency standards. This position plays a key role in supporting project delivery through engineering oversight, contract administration, and coordination with internal teams, external partners, and stakeholders to advance safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation improvements.

What to Expect

This position assists in the supervision of a project engineering office of up to 30 professional and technical engineering employees, with higher amounts during peak workload periods. The highest position managed is a Transportation Engineer 3. Some travel is required, and is typically local or regional, to perform site visits, meet with stakeholders or attend training.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Assistant Project Engineer will:

• Certify, by use of Professional Engineers stamp, that all WSDOT standards and policies are followed in the development of design documents, plans, and specifications.
• Strategically plan the budget, schedule, and workforce necessary to deliver capital improvement projects.
• Assist the Project Engineer in managing an office of professional and technical staff, including interns, temporary employees, and engineering consultants.
• Confirm assigned projects are managed in accordance with WSDOT policy and procedures to meet scope, schedule, budget, and documentation requirements.
• Ensure projects are delivered in an environmentally responsible manner consistent with applicable laws and permits.
• Partner with outside agencies, consultants, public entities, and internal departments to define project requirements and implement them in construction contracts.
• Report project status to WSDOT regional and statewide executive management to support accountability of project delivery.
• Coordinate input and resolve conflicts with internal staff, outside agencies, contractors, consultants, and the public.

Qualifications

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

• Technical Knowledge & Application: In-depth knowledge of highway design, plan, specification, and estimate (PS&E) preparation. Understanding of highway construction principles and practices, including field operations and contractor coordination. Proficiency in surveying techniques and practices applicable to transportation projects. Knowledge of transportation design principles, common transportation issues, and methods for analyzing and resolving transportation problems. Familiarity with environmental laws, regulations, and issues, and ability to integrate compliance requirements into project delivery. Understanding of programming, budgeting procedures, and legislative processes as they relate to transportation project planning and execution.
• Project Management & Scheduling: Demonstrated experience managing complex capital transportation projects to meet established scope, schedule, budget, quality, and documentation requirements. Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize limited resources amongst competing priorities.
• Regulatory, Policy & Environmental Compliance: Demonstrated ability to ensure project compliance with applicable laws, regulations, permits, and agency policies, including environmental requirements, throughout project development and construction.
• Strategic Planning & Resource Management: Demonstrated ability to plan and manage project budgets, schedules, staffing, and consultant resources to deliver capital programs effectively and efficiently.
• Leadership: Experience leading and supervising professional and technical staff, including providing direction, performance feedback, and addressing personnel matters.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Building: Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with internal staff, external agencies, consultants, contractors, elected officials, and the public to define and deliver project requirements.
• Communication & Executive Reporting: Demonstrated ability to communicate technical, financial, and schedule information clearly and effectively, including reporting project status to executive leadership.
• Problem Solving & Conflict Resolution: Demonstrated ability to identify, analyze, and resolve complex technical, organizational, and stakeholder issues to maintain project progress and outcomes.
• Service-Oriented: Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.

In addition to the competencies above, the following are also required :

• Registration as a Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering within the State of Washington, or the ability to obtain registration within six (6) months of hire.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Public Sector Transportation Experience: Experience delivering capital transportation projects within a public-sector environment.
• Project Delivery Methods: Experience designing, procuring, and administering transportation projects through design-bid-build and design-build methodologies.
• Consultant & Construction Contract Management: Experience managing engineering consultants and administering construction contracts.

Important Notes

• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• Some travel is required, and is typically local or regional, to perform site visits, meet with stakeholders or attend training.
• 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.
• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• 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 are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals lifestyle. As such, there are a number of flexible schedule options available, including telework options for eligible positions.
• 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. Go to State Benefits for more information.

Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT?

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 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.

Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.

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 listed Recruiter.

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

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at ... . Please be sure to reference 26DOT-NWR-1W128 in the subject line.