Senior Civil Engineer

Salary : $119,640.00 - $151,524.00 Annually
Location : 33325 8th Ave S, Federal Way
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Public Works
Division: Engineering
Opening Date: 09/22/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Basic Function
Under the direction of the Engineering Manager, perform, supervise, and manage the design and construction of public works capital improvement projects focused on transportation and/or surface water infrastructure. Make complex engineering decisions pertaining to the capital program, and in support of other Public Works Divisions, City departments, and programs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

Develop and manage public works capital improvement projects.

Prepare, attend and deliver presentations to various citizens, developers, contractors, consultants, City departments, outside agencies, special interest groups, management staff, committees, and City Council as a representative of the City.

Provide management, supervision, work direction, guidance, technical assistance, coordination, and work assignments, and review work of other staff and consultant service providers.

Investigate and prepare recommended solutions to various public works problems.

Respond to questions and complaints from the public concerning capital project related problems, projects, and issues. Investigate and prepare recommended solutions to various identified problems.

Prepare, submit, and manage various project grants, from a variety of funding sources such as State and Federal agencies.

Perform field checks, verifications and site visits to inspect work in progress; work with contractor and City inspectors to assure projects are completed in compliance with applicable codes, plans, operation and maintenance requirements, standards, specifications and time schedules

Prepare workload and project schedules for individual projects.

Prepare and review engineering plans, specifications estimate, and other engineering documents for capital projects for adequacy and constructability.

Prepare and review environmental permitting documents including applications, checklists, and mitigation plans.

Inspect construction projects for conformance to plans, specifications, operations, and maintenance requirements.

Responsible for or assist in the updating of existing and establishing of new engineering, construction standards, codes and regulations.

Perform technical engineering duties and prepare design concepts, drawings, documents and specifications. Perform cost estimates and complex computations.

Perform and review basic hydrologic and hydraulic modeling of existing drainage problems and proposed solutions.

Prepare and maintain a variety of records and reports related to capital projects.

Prepare and administer contracts and legal agreements with consultants, local agencies, franchise utilities, contractors, and grant agencies.

Authorize field work directives and field changes during constructions; negotiate change orders; approve material substitutions; negotiate scope and budget of consultant agreements.

Education and Experience
Requires any combination equivalent to: Bachelor's degree in civil engineering from an accredited college or university and a minimum of five (5) years of experience in a related position. Municipal experience preferred. Storm water engineering background preferred.

License and other requirements:

Registration as a Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering with the Washington State Department of Licensing or the ability to obtain registration within 6 months of hire; valid Washington State driver's license.

Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of:

• Principals, practices, methods and techniques of civil engineering.
• Advanced design of public works projects, construction practices, and materials.
• Engineering methods and techniques as applied to the design, construction, materials and maintenance of public works engineering projects.
• Local Agency Guidelines (LAG) Manual knowledge desirable.
• Environmental permitting process requirements for capital projects.
• Property and Right-of-Way acquisition process.
• ArcGIS/CAD and/or other mapping and design software preferred.
• Hydrologic and hydraulic computer modeling preferred.
• Methods of inspection, assessment and monitoring of infrastructure.
• Use of application software including, Blue Beam Revu, MS Project, word processing, spreadsheet, database and engineering analysis and design software.
• Municipal government operations.
• City organizations, operations, policies, and objectives.
• Principles and practices of providing work direction and guidance.
• Report writing and plan interpretation skills.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
• Record keeping techniques.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Telephone techniques and etiquette.

Ability to:

• Develop and implement comprehensive capital projects from initiation through construction.
• Design, analyze, develop, supervise and manage complex engineering plans, specifications and estimates.
• Perform technical engineering duties and prepare design concepts, drawings, documents and specifications. Perform cost estimates and complex computations.
• Read, review and understand engineering plans and specifications. Interpret survey notes and plans.
• Oversee and inspect the construction of capital projects.
• Provide work direction, guidance and technical assistance to others.
• Provide information and support for other Public Works Engineering Division staff and Public Works Divisions.
• Meet schedules, timelines and commitments for multiple projects on an on-going basis.
• Work independently with little direction.
• Keep supervisor informed of problems, progress, and emerging issues.
• Plan, organize, prioritize and schedule work.
• Interpret and explain City, State, Federal and APWA codes, ordinances, specifications, policies, procedures and standards.
• Communicate effectively orally, in writing, in presentations, maintain records and prepare reports.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Use interpersonal skills with tact, patience and courtesy.
• Observe legal and defensive driving practices.
• Positively and effectively interact with diverse individuals to accomplish a common goal.
• Physical ability to perform the essential job functions.

The City of Federal Way offers a complete benefits package to regular status full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

Regular status part-time employees, receive benefits on a pro-rated basis.

To learn more details, visit our benefits page.