TSD Application Developer - Lead (Senior/Specialist) | Two Positions

State of Washington • $99K — $133K *
Lacey, WA 98503In-Person
Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in application development and programming
  • Advanced proficiency in C# and .NET frameworks
  • Expertise in database design and development, particularly with Microsoft SQL Server
  • Strong understanding of IT architecture and standards
  • Excellent communication skills for diverse audiences
  • Proven supervisory and collaboration abilities
  • Growth mindset with a service-oriented approach

Responsibilities

  • Lead technical teams in application development and modernization
  • Manage application portfolios and prioritize projects
  • Establish development standards and implement CI and IaC processes
  • Develop and maintain applications and APIs
  • Analyze application performance and stability
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to meet business requirements
  • Research and implement new technologies under tight deadlines

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health insurance including medical, dental, and vision
  • Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care
  • Basic life and long-term disability insurance
  • Retirement plans with employer contributions
  • Access to wellness programs and employee assistance services
  • Flexible/hybrid remote work options
  • Professional development and training opportunities
Full Job Description
Salary : $99,300.00 - $133,608.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26DOT-HQ-04768m
Department: Dept. of Transportation
Division: Headquarters
Opening Date: 10/01/2026
Closing Date: 10/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
The Opportunity

WSDOT Technology Service Division (TSD) is seeking two Senior/Specialist Application Developers to lead technical teams and oversee the development, modernization, and maintenance of enterprise applications that support agency operations and statewide transportation programs. These positions will provide technical leadership and direction for application design, development, testing, deployment, security, and ongoing maintenance across cloud and other platforms. Responsibilities include managing application portfolios, prioritizing projects and resources, establishing development standards, and implementing automated deployment processes using Continuous Integration (CI) and Infrastructure as Code (IaC). Both positions play a key role in advancing application modernization, ensuring compliance with security and technology standards, and delivering reliable, cost-effective solutions that meet business needs. Strong candidates will possess application development and project management expertise, problem-solving, and team development skills, along with the ability to lead complex technology initiatives and foster collaboration across diverse teams.
What to Expect

Within TSD, Enterprise Applications develops, supports, modernizes, and maintains enterprise-wide applications across mainframe, client/server, cloud, content management, and vendor platforms. The division provides application development expertise, technical leadership, and ongoing support to business partners and users throughout WSDOT and the public. These positions are part of the Cloud and Vendor Modernization Team and support enterprise application portfolios across multiple business areas, including Traffic, Accounting, Aviation, and Transportation Data, GIS, and Modeling. Enterprise Applications advances TSD's strategic priorities of continuous modernization, cybersecurity, and data privacy through secure, reliable technology solutions and established project management practices.
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the TSD Application Developers may:

  • Develop, enhance, and maintain applications, interfaces, and application programming interfaces (API).
  • Perform analysis tasks of application performance and stability.
  • Implement the technical roadmap of projects.
  • Develop long-range, inter-agency, strategic plans with Traffic Office staff to accommodate changes in business needs of the Traffic Safety community.
  • Assist WSDOT's crash, travel, and roadway business areas in defining a biennial plan for the development of new, and maintenance of their existing applications.
  • Implement and improve application security.
  • Work closely with customers to assure business requirements are being met.
  • Research and learn to quickly and correctly implement new technologies and programming languages under tight project timelines.
  • Investigate and recommend solutions to improve business flow and accountability.
  • Perform lead responsibilities and provide technical leadership for all aspects of software development.


Qualifications

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

  • Application Development & Programming: Advanced expertise in the full software development lifecycle including requirements analysis, technical design, coding, configuration, testing, deployment and maintenance of enterprise applications across cloud-first, on-premises and other development environments. Ability to independently develop complex application functionality.
  • Technical Design & Standards: Ability to design maintainable technical solutions, establish development standards, and lead application modifications that support mission-critical WSDOT business needs.
  • Proficiency in C# & .NET Frameworks: Advanced experience developing, maintaining, and modernizing software solutions using current versions of the C# language and supported .NET frameworks, including the implementation of Web API, ASP.NET Webforms and ASP.NET MVC architectures.
  • Database Design & Development: Advanced expertise in developing, optimizing, and maintaining database components within Microsoft SQL Server environments, including stored procedures, queries, data transformations, schemas, and views.
  • Information Technology Architecture & Standards: Knowledge and understanding of information technology architecture, standards, and practices and the ability to apply them to application development and maintenance.
  • Communication Skills: Ability to communicate effectively with senior and executive management, diverse customers, and peers to exchange technical information, address business needs, and support collaborative solutions.
  • Supervisory & Collaboration Skills: Demonstrated capability to supervise teams of technical resources, collaborate with colleagues, customers and vendors through supervision, and leadership.
  • Growth Mindset & Service-Oriented: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth. Takes action to meet the needs of others.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

  • Cloud Application Development: Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain applications using Microsoft Azure cloud technologies and services.
  • IaC & CI: Demonstrated ability to use IaC and CI to automate application development, configuration, and deployment processes.
  • Azure DevOps: Demonstrated ability to use Azure DevOps to support application development, source control, build, testing, and deployment processes.
  • Secure Application Development: Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain secure code in compliance with applicable information security standards and practices.
  • System Integration: Demonstrated ability to integrate application components and systems to support business and technical requirements.
  • Customer Service Skills: Ability to identify customer problems and needs, analyze application issues, develop and test solutions, and verify results to ensure effective resolution.
  • Application Analysis & Development: Ability to independently analyze, design, program, and implement system components and functions to meet business and technical requirements.
  • Technical Adaptability: Ability to learn, evaluate, and apply new technologies to support application development, modernization, and maintenance.

*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.
  • 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-04768m 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 I

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