Transportation Engineer 3

Salary : $80,496.00 - $108,228.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26DOT-OR-32004
Department: Dept. of Transportation
Division: Olympic Region
Opening Date: 10/14/2026
Closing Date: 10/28/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
The Opportunity

WSDOT is currently seeking a Transportation Engineer 3 to serve as the Olympic Region's Contract Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) Specialist, providing technical expertise, design support, and quality assurance for a variety of transportation projects. This position plays a critical role in reviewing comprehensive plans, supporting project teams throughout the design and PS&E development process, and ensuring compliance with WSDOT policies, standards, and requirements. As the region's expert resource on roadside design compliance, the successful candidate will help ensure transportation projects meet established quality, safety, and stewardship standards while supporting the delivery of safe, reliable, and resilient transportation infrastructure. This position also contributes to WSDOT's mission and strategic goals by fostering a workplace culture grounded in respect, equal opportunity, and belonging.
What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Transportation Engineer 3 will:

• Review comprehensive Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) contract documents for transportation projects of varying complexity, ensuring accuracy, completeness, consistency, and compliance with WSDOT standards and requirements.
• Coordinate the Region Review process, including distributing plan sets, reviewing and directing approval of contract special provisions, and verifying that required permits, agreements, and supporting documentation are complete.
• Prepare final contract documents for project advertisement and coordinate the preparation and review of addenda to address changes during the advertisement phase.
• Provide technical guidance and specialized support to project designers throughout PS&E development, including preparing specifications, developing Engineer's estimates, and using engineering software such as Unifier.
• Review and track project Design Documentation Packages, Design Variances, and Plans for Approval (PFA) from initial development through final approval, ensuring compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Evaluate roadside design elements for compliance with WSDOT Design Manual policies, interpreting design criteria and providing expert guidance to ensure proper implementation.
• Contribute to updates of regional manuals and special provisions, participate in weekly project status meetings, and facilitate meetings as needed to support project coordination and delivery.
• Support regional design operations by completing special projects, serving as the Design Support Supervisor in their absence, and performing other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

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

• Engineering Knowledge: Demonstrated experience applying engineering principles, methods, and practices to project management in transportation or construction environments. This includes expertise in design development, construction techniques, and/or contract administration.
• Project & Design Oversight: Ability to oversee and review engineering designs and documentation to ensure accuracy, compliance with standards, and constructability, while supervising the preparation of plans, specifications, and cost estimates.
• Technical & Digital Proficiency: Advanced skills in operating Windows-based systems and engineering software, including MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, SharePoint, Outlook), MS Teams, computer-aided engineering applications, cloud-based platforms, and system databases for project tracking and information management.
• Communication Skills: Advanced skills in professional communication, specifically in communicating technical information effectively and professionally to a diverse audience, including those with non-technical backgrounds, virtually, by phone, and in person.
• Leadership & Supervision: Skills to lead and supervise a diverse workforce by fostering collaboration across boundaries, building and maintaining effective teams, coaching and mentoring staff, and encouraging engagement and professional growth.
• Equity Minded: The ability to take action to learn and grow. The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

• 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 are also required:

• Ability to traverse rough, steep, and uneven terrain.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Public Sector Transportation Design Experience: Demonstrated ability to apply knowledge of transportation project design within a government agency setting, including navigating public sector processes, standards, and stakeholder coordination.
• Professional Engineering Certification and Licensure: Demonstrated commitment to professional engineering standards through attainment or progression toward certification, such as Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Professional Engineer (PE) licensure in Washington State.
• Civil Engineering Education and Knowledge: Demonstrated foundational knowledge of civil engineering principles and practices, typically gained through completion of a bachelor's or master's degree in civil engineering or a closely related field from an accredited institution.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• 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 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-32004 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 duri