Salary: $81.17 - $94.12 Hourly
Location : Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Ave., Seattle, WA
Job Type: Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Seattle Public Utilities
Division: Project Delivery & Engineering Branch
Opening Date: 06/10/2026
Closing Date: 7/28/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

Position Description
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is seeking a Design Manager to assist in our Combined Sewer Overflow Reduction Program (CSO Program) that will reduce overflows of sewage and polluted stormwater from entering Seattle waterways. The successful candidate will be expected to successfully manage a group of direct reports, many of whom will be managing technical aspects of options analysis, design, and construction phases. Additionally, the candidate will assist in project implementation and coordination of managing critical infrastructure capital improvement projects from design through closeout. This position is a leadership role in the CSO Program.
The work of the CSO Program is focused on protecting public health and the environment; it is required by a federal Consent Decree. The team will be leading multiple, concurrent projects that will implement a range of solutions.

Job Responsibilities

• Participate in the set up of the CSO Program, including developing standards and standard processes, and onboarding new SPU and Consultant staff.
• Plan, organize, manage, and coordinate the technical aspects of the options analysis, design, and construction phases of the projects.
• Coordinate and/or perform senior-level professional civil, structural, and geotechnical engineering duties in the initiation, option analysis, design, construction, closeout, and operation and maintenance of municipal public works projects.
• Act as a utility representative before external audiences throughout options analysis and design phase of projects. Manage cross-discipline coordination and decisions on the technical design of projects. Each basin will require coordination with King County's Wastewater Treatment Division. Facilitate a strong partnership through effective communication with various branches throughout King County.
• Engineering staff supervised by this position must coordinate input into design from all areas including lines of business portfolio manager, operations lead, maintenance leads, and all engineering disciplines.
• Oversee, advise, and serve as the primary design contact for consultant (or internal) design teams.
• Coordinate and/or prepare contract documents, technical specifications and plans using sound knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of civil engineering and asset management.
• Perform preliminary and final design and/or prepare design criteria for geotechnical, structural, tunneling, hydraulics, sewers, storm drains, water mains, transmission pipelines, pump stations, shoring and retaining structures, and other related public works projects.
• Review and/or prepare cost estimates, engineering reports, and technical memoranda for public works projects.
• Supervise up to 4 engineering design leads working on the CSO Program, including resource forecasting and management.
• Participate in creation of programmatic commissioning processes and support their implementation across project teams, stakeholders, and disciplines.
• Collaborate with other disciplines and stakeholders to plan work, respond to issues, and look ahead to identify needs, risks, and mitigation.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.
Qualifications
Experience:

• Six (6) years of professional civil engineering experience, including two years supervisory experience.

License, Certification, and other Requirements:

• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Washington.
• Current Washington State driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

Education: Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering or Civil Engineering Technology (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

The ideal candidate should possess:

• Extensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of civil, structural, geotechnical, and construction engineering, including methods, materials, equipment, and techniques used in civil engineering and construction.
• Extensive knowledge and ability to perform civil engineering design, cost estimating, drafting, and computations to oversee the development of contract documents, including construction drawings and project specifications which reflect interpretation of existing plans and specs, required codes, permit requirements, real properties, and environmental requirements.
• Excellent communication skills across a variety of audiences, both written and verbal.
• Experience leading or participating in commissioning of capital improvement projects.

Additional Information
This position allows for the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be required to come into the office a minimum of twice a week. Individual schedules will be agreed upon by the employee and their supervisor and may be subject to change based on business needs.

Who may apply: The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience. This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

The full salary range for this position is: $81.71 - $94.12 per hour

How to apply:

• Submit complete City of Seattle online application
• Upload your current resume
• Include a cover letter that addresses your knowledge, experience, and interest related to this position

***DISCLAIMER*** If you do not attach both a current resume and cover letter to your application you may not be considered for the role.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: John Lee at

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: