Senior Structural Engineer; Civil Engineer, Senior

Position Description

Join us in shaping Seattle’s streets!

At the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), we don’t just move people—we connect communities, build safer streets, and create a more sustainable city.

With a bold vision for the future, we’re tackling big challenges: making travel safer, cutting carbon emissions, and ensuring reliable, affordable transportation for everyone—no matter who they are or where they live.

Seattle is growing fast, and we’re growing with it. Thanks to a historical voter‑approved $1.55 billion investment in transportation in 2024, we’re building sidewalks, fixing bridges, and improving transit connections to keep our city moving.

We’re a team of problem solvers, planners, engineers, communicators, and field crews—bringing purpose‑driven work to life. Now, we need passionate, innovative talent like you. Let’s build a Seattle that works for everyone—together!

Come join our team of highly capable and dedicated engineers in the Engineering Services Group within the Capital Projects Division of SDOT!

This position will serve in a lead role in the engineering and construction document preparation for the planned New Levy projects, and support delivery of non‑Levy based engineering work. It will also support an extensive bridge preservation program that includes the Bridge Seismic Retrofit Program (BSRP), Bridge Structural Preservation Program, and the Bridge Painting Program.

Additionally, the staff in this position will provide in‑house design support for bridge design, retaining wall design, traffic signal pole foundation design, reimbursable structural design work for other City Departments (SPU and SCL), and the Areaway Hazard Mitigation Program. The role also involves support with the Bridge Load Rating Program and assessment of existing structures in accordance with AASHTO and FHWA requirements.

• Employ extensive knowledge of civil and structural engineering principles, practices, and procedures.
• Supervise and guide junior engineering staff and consultant engineers.
• Provide senior‑level structural engineering design, cost estimating, drafting, and calculations; read and interpret plans, specifications, and construction documents.
• Serve as a Project Engineer and coordinate technical design efforts of multi‑discipline internal and consultant lead design teams to complete construction documents for Capital Improvement Projects.
• Interact with inter‑ and intra‑departmental, administrative, engineering, and construction personnel, elected officials and staff, other government agencies, contractors, and the public to exchange information, coordinate work, answer questions, and respond to complaints.
• Provide design support during construction phases, including reviewing and preparing submittals, attending weekly construction meetings, reviewing change orders, and preparing design clarification sketches and responses to requests for information.
• Serve as a Department technical expert in bridge or structural engineering.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or Civil Engineering Technology.
• Five (5) or more years of professional civil engineering experience.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Washington.
• Current Washington State driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

Preferred (but not required) qualifications

• Registration as a Structural Engineer in the State of Washington.
• Experience with bridge and roadway structure engineering for public works projects.
• Experience leading design teams and supervising the work of other engineers and designers.
• Knowledge of AutoCAD and Civil 3D.
• Experience with City of Seattle Standard Plans and Specifications.
• Extensive experience with the WSDOT Bridge Design Manual.
• Technical expertise in WSDOT Standard Plans and Specifications, FHWA guidance, and AASHTO Bridge and Structural design standards.
• Ability to manage design of multiple projects and maintain progress of schedules to meet milestones.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with government entities, contractors, and the public.

• Hybrid work environment: minimum…