Director-Design

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• Posted on August 5, 2026

Showing 1 location

Seattle, WA 98104, USA

• Hybrid
• Full-Time
• Requisition #: DIREC
  003684

Salary range is $137k to $245k with a midpoint of $191k. 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.
• 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.

GENERAL

PURPOSE:

Under direction of the Project Director, leads and directs the design development and supports delivery of major capital transit projects including light rail, commuter rail, operations and maintenance facilities, and bus rapid transit facilities. Provides strategic leadership in managing complex design programs, establishing technical direction, and ensuring integration across multiple disciplines while maintaining alignment with agency objectives, policies, and procedures

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Promotes quality and safety awareness and adherence to safety policies and procedures; ensures construction contracts comply with safety certification requirements.
• Assembles, directs, and manages design teams consisting of staff and consultants to ensure achievement of key project milestones and design quality within the project budget.
• Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work of assigned staff; assigns work activities and coordinates schedules, projects, and programs; provides constructive feedback; reviews and evaluates work and makes effective suggestions and recommendations.
• Leads design and construction support work by assigned staff, consultants, and contractors including street work, structures, tunnel and portals, track work, stations, traffic control, drainage, and utilities to ensure adherence to design criteria, engineering standards, technical criteria and procedures, and quality control procedures for design and construction
• Directs coordination with other agency technical staff; supports oversight of the work of engineering design consultants to assure adequacy, competence, economy, operational feasibility, and maintainability of design and construction; and assists in the selection and hiring of design…