Salary : $122,400.00 - $149,724.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26DOT-HQ-0W674
Department: Dept. of Transportation
Division: Headquarters
Opening Date: 07/27/2026
Closing Date: 8/24/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
The Opportunity

WSDOT is seeking a Deputy State Safety Engineer to provide strategic leadership for the agency's statewide highway safety program by developing and implementing policies, guidance, and initiatives that improve roadway safety and reduce fatal and serious injury crashes across Washington. This position works directly with the State Safety Engineer to carry out the needs of a multidisciplinary multimodal highway safety program, all the safety related activities that occur across WSDOT capital and operational programs. The Deputy State Safety Engineer partners with WSDOT regions, headquarters, and external safety agencies to ensure consistent, data-driven safety practices, oversee compliance with federal highway and rail-highway crossing safety requirements, support safety planning, performance evaluation, and knowledge transfer through training, and leads staff and cross-functional teams in advancing agency safety priorities. Strong candidates will possess expertise in transportation safety, policy development, regulatory compliance and exceptional leadership, strategic planning, and communication skills.
What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Deputy State Safety Engineer will:

• Develop and implement safety-specific and safety-related policies, processes and procedures, manuals, and guidance necessary to carry out WSDOT's approach to safety consistent with the Safe System Approach and Executive Order 1085.
• Report on the success of that program at the federal and state level in various forms and to multiple audiences.
• Develop the Highway Safety Programming Ranking and prioritization methods for proactive and reactive safety approaches used to develop locations for safety improvement projects.
• Provide strategic leadership, direction, expertise, and communication towards development of the Target Zero Strategic Highway Safety Plan.
• Develop, implement, and oversee the Highway Safety Implementation Plan which outlines WSDOT strategic approach to highway safety with specific actions and strategies to occur within the program for the following year to achieve a reduction in fatal and serious crashes.
• Provide strategic leadership, perform, and develop federally required analysis, evaluation, and coordination (internal, external, and public) for Safety Performance Target Setting, vulnerable road user assessments, high risk rural roads, and HSIP/RCHP federal reporting.
• Provide strategic leadership and direction necessary to carry out a program of safety audits, assessments, inspections and investigations for projects, programs, and locations.
• Provide high level safety expertise to the region, headquarters, and local agencies as necessary to achieve the Safe System, address project and program needs, and increase safety knowledge.
• Provide bill analysis and support for legislative proposals and requests related to safety.
• Provide strategic leadership to the Highway Safety Issue Group (HSIG), as chair.

Qualifications

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

Technical Expertise

• Extensive experience in quantitative and qualitative analyses to support transportation processes, policies, and projects.
• Proficiency in safety analysis, audits, evaluations, and diagnostic assessments, including identification of crash contributing factors.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of transportation planning, design, operations, and project development.

Analysis and Implementation

• Extensive experience designing, performing, managing, implementing and reporting on quantitative and qualitative analyses to support recommendations for transportation processes, policies and projects.
• Experience in safety analysis, audits, evaluation and diagnostic assessment (understanding crash contributing factors).

Transportation Safety Expertise

• Extensive experience and applied knowledge of best practices, standards, and guidance for vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian facility design, operations, and safety.

Leadership and Team Management

• Demonstrated ability and significant experience leading and developing professional, technical staff, and matrix-organized project teams.
• Ability to build, manage, and guide multidisciplinary teams toward successful outcomes.

Regulatory Knowledge

• Ability to interpret, apply, and analyze government rules, regulations, and laws.

Communication Skills

• Experience communicating with elected officials, agency leaders, stakeholders, the public, and the media.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, accessible language for diverse audiences.
• Ability to testify as an expert to the legislature and courts.

Growth Mindset and Service-Oriented

• Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Takes action to meet the needs of others.

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

• A valid driver's license and the ability to operate state-owned vehicles.
• A bachelor's degree in transportation planning, land use planning, or engineering.
• Licensed as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or licensed as a PE in another state with the ability to obtain licensure in Washington State within six (6) months of hire.
• Ability to testify as an expert to the legislature and courts.
• Ability to build and lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to travel statewide and nationally.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Additional Licensure and Certifications: Possession of safety-related professional certifications (e.g., Road Safety Professional, Safety Auditor).
• Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with nationwide perspectives and practices on safe systems approach and federal requirements for safety target setting and reporting.
• Data Analysis: Proficiency with statistical analysis tools, software, and methodologies.
• Public Sector Experience: Experience working within a public transportation agency environment, including familiarity with agency processes and stakeholder coordination.

*To review the full Position Description, please follow the directions in the Contact Us section of this posting.
Important Notes

• This position requires review of fatalities and serious injury crash data, photos and information, which may include on site investigations as well as review of sensitive information related to deaths and serious injuries.
• This position requires statewide and out of state travel to state agency partners, WSDOT regions and offices.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options. The official duty station and/or frequency of telework for this position will be determined based on candidate preference and overall business needs.
• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• 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 Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in of the Washington Administrative Code.

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:

• 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 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 for more information.

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.
Contact Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at . Please be sure to reference 26DOT-HQ-0W674 in the subject line.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.