Engineering Manager - SR 520 Construction (WMS3)

State of Washington$128K — $157K *
Real Estate & Construction
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in managing complex design and construction projects.
  • Licensed Professional Engineer in Washington or ability to obtain within 6 months.
  • Strong project planning and financial management skills.
  • Proficient in civil engineering principles relevant to transportation infrastructure.
  • Ability to mentor and lead diverse engineering and consultant teams.
  • Effective verbal and written communication, particularly in technical contexts.
  • Experience coordinating with multiple stakeholders and agencies.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee the Project Office Teams to ensure project goals are met.
  • Mentor Project Office Team Managers to enhance team performance.
  • Review and report on project status and financials to higher management.
  • Lead both State and Consultant teams in executing work plans effectively.
  • Monitor project scope, schedule, and budget compliance.
  • Manage project risks and resolve coordination issues with local agencies.
  • Facilitate negotiations and communications with the City of Seattle and other stakeholders.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage options.
  • Flexible work arrangements including hybrid options.
  • Participation in the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System.
  • Access to a Deferred Compensation Program for additional retirement savings.
  • Paid holidays and personal days annually.
  • Option to use pre-tax dollars for dependent care assistance and health expenses.
Full Job Description
Salary : $128,520.00 - $157,200.00 Annually
Location : King County - Seattle - Downtown Business, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26DOT-NWR-8W163
Department: Dept. of Transportation
Division: Urban Mobility Access & Mega Programs
Opening Date: 08/24/2026
Closing Date: 9/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
The Opportunity

WSDOT is currently seeking an Engineering Manager in Seattle, WA to oversee the Project Offices tasked with managing WSDOT and consultant staff working to deliver the SR 520 Portage Bay Bridge and Roanoke Lid Project. This position leads integrated WSDOT and consultant teams responsible for construction operations, environmental compliance, traffic impacts, third-party coordination, design support, right of way and utilities, testing and materials, and public and agency communications. The candidate selected for this role will manage complex project budgets, schedules, resources, consultant and agreement administration, risk, and workforce planning while providing strategic direction, technical guidance, and mentorship to project teams. Through strong leadership and collaboration with internal and external partners, this position helps ensure successful delivery of one of WSDOT's significant and complex capital improvement projects.
What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you will:

  • Provide management and leadership oversight, technical guidance, and support and direction to ensure the Project Office Teams meet project goals, objectives, and deliverables.
  • Mentor and support the Project Office Team Managers.
  • Ensure that Project Office Teams provide timely and accurate reporting of project status, progress, and project finance to Management and Executives.
  • Provide leadership and direction to Project Office Teams, including both State (Project Engineers and Assistant Project Engineers) and Consultant staff to execute work plan.
  • Assist the Project Office Teams to ensure that the assigned projects are monitoring the scope, schedule, and budget.
  • Ensure that Project Office Teams are identifying and managing Project risks.
  • Provide any necessary assistance or guidance in working with local agencies and stakeholders to resolve any issues, negotiate permits, negotiate agreements, and changes.
  • Engage in meeting with counterparts at the City of Seattle, working on project issues and helping resolve any issues or disputes which may arise on the project, whether between the contractors and the City of Seattle or between WSDOT and the City of Seattle.
  • Provide approval of change order requests at the Program/Region level.
  • Provide support to the Project Office Teams in developing, planning, and implementing delivery strategies for various project components.

Qualifications

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

  • Project and Program Management: Proven ability to manage the delivery of complex design and construction projects. Skilled in project planning, scope and schedule management, budgeting, and application of quality management principles and tools to improve project outcomes. Strong skills to make responsible, timely, and effective decisions in the best interest of the department, based on an array of complex and competing issues.
  • Accountability: Expertise including budgeting, scheduling, environmental considerations, and quality assurance.
  • Civil Engineering Expertise: Experience applying civil engineering principles in the design, analysis, and construction of transportation infrastructure. Knowledge of highway project development, NEPA, SEPA, and permitting requirements, right-of-way acquisition processes, and access management laws and guidelines. Understanding of contracting methods and procedures.
  • Leadership and Supervision: Ability to lead, mentor, and develop engineering and technical staff. Experience managing multi-discipline staff of both internal and consultants to meet performance goals, planning workforce needs, allocating resources effectively, and resolving personnel or performance issues.
  • Communication Skills: Effective verbal and written communication and negotiation skills, including the ability to prepare technical reports, present complex information to diverse audiences, and represent the agency in public meetings and interagency settings.
  • Collaboration and Problem Solving: Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines to resolve major design and construction challenges, disputes, and claims. Skilled in applying analytical thinking and negotiation techniques to achieve mutually beneficial solutions.
  • Stakeholder and Agency Coordination: Demonstrated success in coordinating and negotiating with local jurisdictions, tribal governments, the public, and regulatory agencies to meet project objectives and resolve issues.
  • 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:

  • Licensed as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington OR licensed as a professional engineer in another state with the ability to obtain licensure in Washington state within six (6) months of hire.
  • Ability to conduct weekly field reviews and visits to active construction sites, possibly during inclement weather, near traffic, or working on uneven or steep terrain.
  • Ability to travel to and from project sites, during emergencies, and occasionally to off-site conferences or statewide meetings.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

  • Complex Project Administration: Experience in administration or execution of large, complicated highway and bridge projects (both Design-Build and Design-Bid-Build delivery approaches) with multiple stakeholders.

To review the full Position Description, please follow the directions in the "Contact Us" section of this posting.
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 Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in 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

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.

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-NWR-8W163 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.

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