Design Manager

Posting Details

• Posted on August 18, 2026

Showing 1 location Seattle, WA 98104, USA

• Hybrid
• Engineering
• Full-Time
• Requisition #: DESIG
  003681

Salary range is $107k to $213k with a midpoint of $160k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits:
  We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off:
  Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance discount.
• ORCA Card:
  All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement:
  Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices:
  We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

Under general management of the Capital Delivery Department and reports to the Project or Design Director or Senior Design Manager while leading, managing and coordinating the delivery of design elements of buildings, stations, and other light rail, heavy passenger rail projects or bus projects within the Capital Delivery Departmentwithin Delivery Team One. This leadership role requires providing oversight of and instruction to design consultant teams and close coordination with the Sound Transit Operations, Engineering, Architecture, Urban Design, Planning, Safety, third parties, and Quality Staff.

Primary function ensures delivery of value and quality of design to fulfill the agency’s mission.

The Design Manager position will be on Delivery Team One. The position will support several existing and future Deliver Team One projects;
Infill Stations, At-Grade Crossings, East Link Extension, West Link Extension and Unified Control Center. Position will support Senior Design Manager and various Project Directors.

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Leads a technical team of subject matter experts and inspires creativity to solve design problems.
• Supervises, coaches, trains and motivates staff;
  Supports work force planning efforts for the project.
• Manages multiple smaller scale transit related designs including, architectural, civil, traffic, track, structural, geotechnical, landscaping, ventilation, station electrical, lighting, transit-oriented development, and urban design efforts, managing work teams and coordinating between work efforts of multiple design teams and multiple engineering subject matter experts.
• Provides cross departmental program, design and requirements coordination with Operations, Passenger Experience, the Project Management Office, and IT.
• Administration and management of design consultant contracts, including developing scopes of work for professional services, peer reviews, design reviews, contract packaging, schedules, budgets, construction support, and risk assessments.
• Accountable for technical resolution of milestone design submission comments through collaboration with project design teams and stakeholders
• Supports the development, negotiation of agreements, and permits with third parties, including state and local agencies, utilities, and private property owners, as required for the delivery of the projects.
• Accountable for design support during construction including design contract management, recommendation of error and omissions, resolution of…