Transportation Engineer ; In-Training

About WSDOT

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT leads an award‑winning Active Transportation Plan, manages the world’s longest floating bridge, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

WSDOT is currently seeking a Transportation Engineer 2 to support the Olympic Region’s Tumwater Design Office in delivering safe, reliable, and cost‑effective transportation solutions across Washington State. This position plays a key role in the preparation and delivery of highway design projects by developing design documentation, plans, specifications, and cost estimates that support compliant and high‑quality project delivery. The incumbent will provide technical guidance and training to supporting design staff while contributing to the successful completion of transportation improvement projects that enhance the safety, quality, and capacity of the state transportation system.

This position also supports WSDOT’s strategic goals by fostering workforce development, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and ensuring resilient project delivery through adherence to agency policies, quality standards, and stewardship practices.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Transportation Engineer 2 will:

• Prepare and review design documentation, contract plans, specifications, cost estimates, schedules, and project delivery documents for highway design projects.
• Develop horizontal and vertical alignments, roadway geometrics, drainage systems, hydraulics, intersection layouts, right‑of‑way plans, and quantity calculations in accordance with current design standards and guidelines.
• Interpret engineering policies, design manuals, construction plans, reports, and technical data to support project design and delivery activities.
• Conduct quality reviews and verifications of plans, specifications, estimates, calculations, and design submittals to ensure accuracy, completeness, consistency, and compliance with WSDOT standards.
• Coordinate with WSDOT offices, consultants, outside agencies, and project stakeholders to clarify technical information, obtain project data, and support project delivery commitments.
• Operate computer‑aided drafting and design software to develop engineering plans, modeling, and project visualizations for transportation projects.
• Prepare correspondence, memorandums, reports, spreadsheets, presentations, and other technical documents for internal and external audiences.
• Communicate technical transportation engineering information with staff, agencies, stakeholders, and the public while conducting field reviews, attending meetings, and supporting project permitting activities.

This is a Transportation Engineer 2 position. However, the hiring manager reserves the right to fill the position at a lower level in the classification series based on candidate qualifications, providing an opportunity for an individual to gain the required experience on the job as part of a formal “in‑training” plan.

To qualify at the Transportation Engineer 1 (TE1) level, the following is required:

• A Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) or Structural Engineering (BSSE)
• Certification as an Engineer-in-Training (EIT)

In addition to the above, to qualify at the Transportation Engineer 2 (TE2) level, the following is required:

• Foundational Engineering Technical Skills and Knowledge: Foundational knowledge of civil, structural, geotechnical, or transportation engineering principles, with the ability to apply engineering concepts to real‑world transportation project scenarios.
• Technical Interpretation, Analysis, and Problem Solving: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret engineering plans, specifications, contract documents, manuals, and technical data; identify issues or discrepancies; and apply sound…