Salary : $122,220.00 - $149,612.00 Annually
Location : King County - Seattle - Belltown, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26DOT-WSF-9W087
Department: Dept. of Transportation
Division: Washington State Ferries
Opening Date: 09/24/2026
Closing Date: 10/8/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
The Opportunity

WSF, a division of WSDOT, is currently seeking a Project Engineer to lead construction project delivery that supports safe, reliable ferry operations. This position provides oversight and coordination to deliver quality projects within scope, schedule, and budget while meeting contract requirements and applicable standards. Working collaboratively with project partners, the Project Engineer helps resolve construction challenges, prioritize safety, and minimize impacts to travelers and the environment. This role offers an opportunity to advance sustainable, maintainable ferry infrastructure that serves Washington's communities.

What to Expect

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

• Oversee construction, interpret plans and specifications, apply laws, codes, and standards, monitor contractor progress, and process progress payments.
• Plan work and staffing, resolve engineering problems and disputes, and manage project scope, schedule, and budget.
• Partner with contractors, consultants, and agencies to minimize change orders, delays, and claims while protecting the public interest.
• Ensure WSDOT, FHWA, and FTA compliance for documentation and approvals, and ensure plans are constructable, permittable, and biddable.
• Evaluate, negotiate, and approve contract change orders supported by engineering analysis and the public interest.
• Assess risks and opportunities, develop mitigation strategies, and report progress, significant issues, and recommendations to executive management.
• Coordinate adjacent projects with local agencies and DOT offices to improve efficiency, minimize customer impacts, and support partnerships.
• Ensure environmentally responsible project delivery consistent with applicable laws.
• 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:

• Professional Licensure: Registration as a Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering within the State of Washington.
• Civil Engineering Technical Knowledge & Application: In-depth knowledge of highway design, Plan, Specification, and Estimate (PS&E) preparation. In-depth knowledge of project delivery methods including design-bid-build and design-build. Understanding of highway construction principles and practices, including field operations and contractor coordination. Knowledge of transportation design principles, common transportation issues, and methods for analyzing and resolving transportation problems. Understanding of programming, budgeting procedures, and legislative processes as they relate to transportation project planning and execution.
• Project Management & Scheduling: 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: 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.
• 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.
• Service-Oriented: Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Consultant & Construction Contract Management: Experience managing engineering consultants and administering construction contracts.
• Project Delivery Methods: Experience designing, procuring, and administering transportation projects through design-bid-build and design-build methodologies.
• FHWA and FTA Process Knowledge: Familiarity with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and FTA processes, procedures, and requirements for delivering federally funded transportation projects. Ability to ensure compliance with federal stewardship obligations, documentation, and reporting standards.
• 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 position may be eligible for part-time telework, with the employee expected to work in the office two days per week.
• 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

Why WSDOT

• 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.
• Paid Leave - In addition to 12 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 to for 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-9W087 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 s