Salary : $98,064.00 - $131,868.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Tumwater, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26DOT-HQ-00214
Department: Dept. of Transportation
Division: Headquarters
Opening Date: 08/27/2026
Closing Date: 9/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
The Opportunity

WSDOT is seeking a Transportation Technical Engineer to serve as the Materials and Fabrication Inspection Office Supervisor. In this role, you will support statewide highway construction projects by providing expert and timely inspection of highway materials fabricated and shipped to project work sites. Under the supervision of the Assistant State Materials Engineer (Quality), this position will lead and supervise engineers and provide oversight of the Fabrication Inspection Office within the Headquarters Materials Lab. This position will also inspect a wide range of highway construction materials and structural components, including concrete, steel, reinforcing steel, timber, drainage systems, bridge and sign structures, fasteners, traffic safety components, and protective coatings. Our top candidates will possess leadership and supervisory skills, strong knowledge of materials inspection and quality assurance practices, and the ability to make timely, technically sound decisions in support of statewide construction projects.
What to Expect

This position performs inspections at fabrication facilities and construction sites outdoors in conditions with exposure to hot surfaces, adverse weather, uneven, rough, confined spaces and steep terrain.
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Materials and Fabrication Inspection Office Supervisor will:

• Supervise, oversee, schedule and train inspectors working in the HQ Materials Laboratory Tumwater Inspection Office and the inspectors stationed in Vancouver at the Southwest Region Headquarters.
• Sample, test, and inspect fabricated products and evaluate the quality of materials and workmanship.
• Review results of nondestructive tests such as magnetic particle, ultrasonic, and radiographic inspection to determine acceptability.
• Inspect materials to identify nonconforming materials as early in the fabrication process as possible.
• Monitor the manufacturing processes; witness or perform tests or measurements of the completed product; collect and review all required documentation to assure compliance; and approve the finished product for shipment.
• Identify materials for acceptance in accordance with WSDOT Construction Manual and identify items containing steel for foreign or domestic content.
• Travel throughout the state, other states and internationally to conduct required inspections.
• Inspect field welding of reinforcing steel, column jackets, structural field welding, and repair of damaged structural members.
• Provide technical guidance, training, and "Just in Time" instruction to statewide regional personnel on the acceptance and inspection of fabricated materials, including field welding, high-strength bolt installation and tensioning, and field-applied protective coatings.
• Monitor inspection activities of Eastern Region staff inspecting drainage structures.

Qualifications

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

• Academic Foundation & Core Knowledge: Demonstrates foundational literacy and technical aptitude to interpret technical manuals, engineering drawings, and specifications and perform and apply mathematical computations.
• Materials Testing & Technical Expertise: Demonstrates strong practical knowledge of materials testing and inspection methodologies, industry standards, and quality control processes; ability to perform destructive/nondestructive testing, identify material deficiencies, calibrate equipment, and perform and interpret mathematical calculations using manual, calculator, or computer-based methods.
• Compliance & Technical Review: Ability to review complex construction plans for accuracy, constructability, and compliance with WSDOT and Federal Highway Administration standards and requirements.
• Independent Execution: Ability to independently plan, prioritize, and oversee assignments while meeting established scope, schedule, budget, quality, and safety requirements; ability to synthesize complex technical information and communicate it clearly to diverse audiences and senior management.
• Leadership & Operational Oversight: Ability to direct, supervise, coach, and provide technical guidance to engineering and inspection staff; manage teams, workflows, and safety protocols; and coordinate and negotiate effectively with internal offices, local governments, contractors, and the public.
• Growth Mindset & Service-Oriented: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth. Takes action to meet the needs of others.

The following qualifications are also required:

• Certified Welding Inspector by either the American Welding Society or the Canadian Welding Bureau.
• A valid driver's license and the ability to operate state-owned vehicles.
• Ability to maneuver and transport various materials and/or equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to perform construction site inspections in varying outdoor conditions including adverse weather, uneven, rough, confined spaces and steep terrain.
• A valid Passport, or the ability to obtain a valid passport within three (3) months of hire.

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

• This position requires regular local travel throughout the day and may require overnight stays within the State of Washington, other States, and other Countries for extended periods of time to perform job duties.
• 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.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.

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. NOTE: This information may 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-HQ-00214 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 are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of th