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-03523
Department: Dept. of Transportation
Division: Headquarters
Opening Date: 08/26/2026
Closing Date: 9/9/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
The Opportunity

WSDOT is seeking a transportation engineer to provide statewide subject matter expertise in work zone traffic control, multimodal transportation design, and traffic analysis while supporting a broad range of planning, design, and operational initiatives. As the State Work Zone Engineer, you will work collaboratively with regional staff, headquarters specialists, consultants, and local agencies to provide technical leadership and independent engineering judgment, ensuring project decisions reflect sound engineering practices, multimodal principles, and consistent application of departmental policies and procedures. In this role, you will apply state-of-the-practice analytical methods and design techniques; interpret and apply national and state standards and guidance; and support traffic design, traffic analysis, and work zone traffic control activities across regions and projects. The State Work Zone Engineer will also serve as a statewide technical resource and exercise final review authority within assigned areas of responsibility.
What to Expect

This position performs work that requires work a Combination of office and field work, which has limited exposure to work zone traffic control and traffic hazards.
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the State Work Zone Engineer will:

• Independently review and interpret complex analyses for alignment with departmental policies, engineering principles, and program goals.
• Communicate findings, recommendations, and required revisions to internal and external partners, including regional staff, consultants, and local agencies, to build consensus and support informed decision-making.
• Provide both high-level guidance and project-specific technical assistance to regions, ensuring that analysis, documentation, and design decisions meet agency expectations.
• Develop, maintain, update and deliver training materials on assigned temporary traffic control, including emerging practices and agency requirements.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of evolving tools and methodologies, and effectively communicate technical concepts to audiences with varying levels of experience, both virtually and in-person
• Provide advanced engineering guidance, interpretation, independent reviews, and policy development for traffic control materials and practices.
• Develop, update, and interpret statewide policies, standards, and procedures.
• Review design and construction documentation, offer technical recommendations, and participate in partner coordination.
• Conduct technical evaluations of traffic control materials.

Qualifications

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

• Work Zone Traffic Control & Transportation Engineering: Demonstrated expertise and ability to plan, design, review, evaluate, and inspect work zone traffic control and transportation management plans and to apply advanced transportation engineering principles across planning, design, operations, safety, work zones, construction staging, and multimodal transportation systems.
• Independent Engineering Judgment, Analysis & Recommendations: Demonstrated ability to exercise independent engineering judgment; evaluate complex analyses and alternatives; conduct technical research; interpret standards and policies; and develop clear, technically sound engineering guidance and recommendations.
• Technical Consultation & Coordination: Demonstrated ability to provide advanced technical consultation, coordinate interdisciplinary efforts, and provide technical leadership, mentoring, and guidance to professional and technical staff in collaborative, non-supervisory environments.
• Engineering Policies, Standards, & Technical Guidance: Demonstrated ability to develop, evaluate, interpret, and implement engineering policies, standards, procedures, and technical guidance related to traffic control practices, materials, and specifications, including supporting statewide implementation and procurement.
• Technical Training & Professional Development: Demonstrated ability to develop, update, and deliver technical training and certification materials related to temporary traffic control practices and agency requirements and support statewide training oversight and professional development.
• Technical Communication & Documentation: Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical information and engineering concepts effectively through technical documentation, reports, presentations, stakeholder coordination, technical reviews, and communication with internal and external partners.
• Emerging Practices & Innovation: Demonstrated ability to research emerging practices, evaluate technical innovations, and support implementation of engineering improvements aligned with agency priorities.
• Technical & Productivity Tools: Demonstrated ability to use productivity and technical software tools to support engineering analysis, drafting, documentation, plan review, and program delivery.
• 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:

• Ability to travel statewide to conduct technical reviews, coordination meetings, training delivery, and field-based activities.
• A valid driver's license and the ability to operate state-owned vehicles and the ability to obtain a Washington State license within six (6) months of hire.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate/have:

• Advanced Engineering Practice: Demonstrated ability to perform advanced engineering work consistent with independent engineering practice. Licensed as a Professional Engineer (Civil) in the state of Washington.
• Traffic Operations & Safety Analysis: Demonstrated ability to apply specialized traffic operations, transportation management, and safety analysis techniques.
• Transportation Project Development & Delivery: Demonstrated ability to apply knowledge of transportation project development and delivery processes.
• Roadway & Multimodal Design: Demonstrated ability to apply roadway and multimodal design principles across a range of transportation facilities.
• Transportation Analysis & Drafting Tools: Demonstrated ability to use transportation analysis and drafting tools to support engineering evaluation and plan review.
• Engineering Manuals & Guidance: Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply agency engineering manuals, policies, and nationally recognized transportation engineering guidance.

*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.
• This position requires regular travel that is typically local or regional, to conduct field assessments, attend meetings, or attend or provide training. Primarily in-state travel with periodic overnight travel.
• 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.

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 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-03523 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 info