Salary : $148,284.00 Annually
Location : King County - Seattle - Belltown, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 26DOT-WSF-M00P7
Department: Dept. of Transportation
Division: Washington State Ferries
Opening Date: 05/27/2026
Closing Date: 6/10/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
The Opportunity

WSF, a division of WSDOT, is currently seeking a skilled and motivated professional to help support safe, reliable, and efficient ferry operations across the Washington State Ferries system. This position plays a critical role in maintaining and supporting vessel propulsion control, power management, steering, HVAC, alarm & monitoring, and related onboard systems that are essential to daily operations and public service. The successful candidate will make both tactical and strategic decisions that directly impact vessel performance, operational reliability, and passenger safety. By fostering a safe work environment and reinforcing WSF's core values of Serve, Grow, Trust, Respect, and Navigate, this role supports agency goals and helps deliver dependable transportation services to the communities we serve.

As we navigate a once-in-a-generation transformation to decarbonize our system - guided by our core values Serve, Respect, Trust, Grow Navigate- and bold strategic priorities Service Excellence, Improved Communication and Empowered People - there's never been a more meaningful time to come aboard at Washington State Ferries.
What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you/the (Working Title) will:

• Develop and manage preventative maintenance plans and digital system infrastructure for vessel propulsion controls and related systems across the WSF fleet.
• Establish and monitor fleetwide digital system performance, reliability, and configuration standards.
• Maintain digital system software, programming tools, licenses, and revision histories for all fleet systems.
• Review and approve maintenance strategies, system modifications, and obsolescence planning efforts.
• Coordinate inventory, acquisition, and lifecycle support for digital systems with Warehouse, Maintenance, and Engineering teams.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for propulsion control and digital system casualties, troubleshooting and coordinating repairs to restore vessel service.
• Document casualty responses and maintain vendor and field service relationships for critical control systems.
• Support vessel modifications and new construction by reviewing specifications, inspections, vendor work, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Uphold WSF's strategic priorities (Service Excellence, Improved Communication, and Empowered People) and values (Serve, Grow, Trust, Respect, and Navigate), ensuring they are embedded in WSF's culture through leadership actions

Qualifications

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

• Propulsion and Power Management Controls
  • Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair AC and DC propulsion systems including alternators, drive motors, and power management control systems. Proven ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair propulsion control and power management systems in an industrial, maritime, or equivalent complex technical environment. Ability to diagnose and resolve system failures under time-critical conditions.
• Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Programming and Control Systems
  • Demonstrated ability to program, configure, and troubleshoot Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) in control applications, including Allen Bradley, GE, and Siemens platforms. Knowledge of control theory including closed-loop control, interlocks, sequencing, and alarm logic as applied to industrial or marine control systems.
• AC and DC Power Generation, including Hybrid Battery Energy Storage
  • Operate, maintain, and diagnose AC and DC power generation systems configured with AC and DC switchboard operations, including the ability to perform maintenance, diagnostics, and corrective action on shipboard or comparable industrial electrical distribution systems.
• Technical Documentation and Regulatory Compliance
  • Demonstrated ability to prepare, review, and manage technical specifications, maintenance records, field service reports, and system modification documentation. Ensure compliance with U.S. Coast Guard regulatory requirements applicable to vessel control, propulsion, and alarm systems.
• Service-Oriented -
  • Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others. Proven ability to collaborate with vessel crews, port engineers, contractors, and maintenance staff across diverse teams to support safe and reliable ferry operations. Adapts communication and technical guidance to support colleagues with varying levels of digital systems expertise.
• Growth Mindset
  • Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth. Demonstrated ability to self-reflect, identify personal and professional strengths and growth areas, and adapt to new technical challenges through innovative solutions. Takes responsibility for staying current with evolving digital systems technology, maritime regulations, and maintenance best practices.
  • Must be available to support a cell phone support rotation and able to respond to after-hours vessel casualties as required.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• LargeAC and DC Machine Knowledge
  • Ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot large AC and DC machinesand their associated control systems.
• Industrial Communication Protocols
  • Ability to configure and troubleshoot industrial communication protocols based on Ethernet and RS485, and knowledge of PC architecture as applied to industrial control systems.
• HMI Software
  • Ability to troubleshoot and modify Human-Machine Interface (HMI) software used in vessel control and monitoring applications.

Important Notes

• 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.

Why WSDOT

• Paid Leave - In addition to 13 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 tofor more information.

Check out this video to learn more:
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.

Contact Us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at Please be sure to reference 26DOT-WSF-M00P7 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.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and a