Salary : $116,400.00 - $142,488.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26DOT-OR-3W148e
Department: Dept. of Transportation
Division: Olympic Region
Opening Date: 07/31/2026
Closing Date: 8/17/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

The Opportunity

WSDOT is currently seeking a Lacey Design Project Engineer to lead the delivery of transportation design projects and provide engineering oversight as a licensed Professional Engineer. In this leadership role, you will ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with WSDOT quality standards to produce biddable, constructible, and maintainable designs. You will oversee project performance, promote transparency and accountability, and ensure cost-effective, technically sound solutions are incorporated into construction contracts. This position also fosters a collaborative, inclusive workplace that supports employee development while serving as a representative of WSDOT with legislators, local agencies, industry partners, and the public. Your work will directly support WSDOT's mission by advancing safe, high-quality transportation solutions that serve Washington's long-term needs.

What to Expect

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

• Lead an engineering office responsible for delivering transportation design projects on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with quality management standards.
• Provide engineering oversight to ensure project documentation, risk management, and project deliverables meet WSDOT standards, policies, and procedures.
• Certify design deliverables by applying a Professional Engineer (PE) stamp in accordance with applicable engineering requirements.
• Plan and manage project budgets, schedules, workforce resources, and Capital Improvement Project Program (CIPP) delivery strategies.
• Monitor and report project scope, schedules, budgets, and performance to regional and statewide executive leadership to promote accountability and informed decision-making.
• Collaborate with internal teams, support offices, external partners, and stakeholders to achieve project and organizational goals.
• Support construction activities by providing engineering expertise and partnering with regional leadership and communications staff to implement project outreach strategies.
• Develop and lead staff by overseeing personnel actions, fostering a safe and inclusive workplace, and promoting training, professional growth, and employee engagement.

Qualifications

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

• Professional Licensure: Current registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in Civil Engineering in the State of Washington, or current registration as a Professional Engineer in another U.S. state. Candidates licensed in another state must obtain Washington State Professional Engineer licensure within six (6) months of employment.
• Strategic Planning and Organizational Alignment: Demonstrated ability to support or lead strategic planning efforts, including setting priorities, establishing performance expectations, and aligning resources to organizational and program goals.
• Civil Engineering Technical Knowledge & Application: Excellent knowledge of the department's design and construction principles and practices, contracting methods and procedures, stewardship agreement, and program (budget, schedule, environmental, quality, etc.). Knowledge of common transportation issues, and methods for analyzing and resolving transportation problems.
• Project Management & Scheduling: A strong working knowledge of principles of management. Demonstrated experience managing complex capital transportation projects to meet established scope, schedule, budget, quality, and documentation requirements while managing risks. Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize limited resources amongst competing priorities.
• Regulatory, Policy & Environmental Compliance: Familiarity of applicable laws, regulations, permits, and agency policies, including environmental requirements, throughout project development and construction. Ability to integrate compliance requirements into project delivery.
• Strategic Planning & Resource Management: Strong skills in establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support overall strategy/results, monitoring, measuring performance, and making necessary course corrections. 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, fostering a culture of accountability and performance, and addressing personnel matters.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Building: 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. The ability to evaluate, coordinate, and respond to customers.
• Problem Solving, Decision-Making & Conflict Resolution: Proven ability to identify issues, evaluate options, and implement practical solutions. Skilled in conflict resolution and facilitating constructive dialogue. Proven ability to make timely decisions in the best interest of the department.
• Driver's License: Demonstrated ability to travel to project sites as required to fulfill project responsibilities. Must possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted Driver's License.

• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.

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

• Ability to work periodic evenings and weekends as needed to support project delivery and emergency response.
• Ability to traverse rough, steep, and uneven terrain.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Technical responsibilities: Progressively responsible experience as a licensed professional engineer in construction or design of highways, bridges, and related structures.
• Consultant & Construction Contract Management: Experience managing engineering consultants.
• Project Delivery Methods: Experience designing, procuring, and administering transportation projects through design-bid-build and design-build methodologies.
• Change Management: Demonstrated knowledge and experience managing organizational or project-level changes. Ability to lead teams through transitions in scope, structure, policy, or project delivery approach using effective change management strategies.
• Public Sector Transportation Experience: Experience delivering capital transportation projects within a public-sector environment.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• The salary range listed includes the 2% general wage increase, effective on July 1, 2026.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• Work is performed both in an office setting and in the field, including periodic visits to active heavy civil construction sites. This position requires the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), participation in site-specific safety planning, and awareness of construction hazards such as heavy equipment, vehicle traffic, steep or uneven terrain, and exposure to exhaust and other outdoor conditions.
• 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 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-OR-3W148e 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.

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