Assistant Office Engineer; TE, 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 seeking a motivated Transportation Engineer 2 (In‑Training) to serve as the Assistant Office Engineer in Tacoma, WA. In this role, you will help deliver critical highway construction projects that improve the safety, reliability, quality, and capacity of Washington’s transportation system. This position plays an important role in ensuring transportation projects are constructed in compliance with standard specifications, contract requirements, and approved project plans while supporting WSDOT’s commitment to quality, stewardship, and public service.

As the Assistant Office Engineer, you will support construction project delivery through inspection of highway contract work, reviewing and processing of contractor submittals, maintenance of accurate project documentation and accounting records, and verification of timely and accurate payments for completed work. Working closely with project teams, contractors, and agency partners, you will help ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with WSDOT policies, procedures, and strategic goals that support the long‑term resilience of Washington’s transportation infrastructure.

• Prepare and generate progress estimates; review and verify payment documentation for completeness and accuracy; compile wage and equipment rates for force account work; and monitor and adjust all payments for materials on hand, review contractors’ payrolls, Diverse Business Program goals, apprentice utilization and training programs.
• Review and process material documentation, maintain the Record of Materials (ROM), coordinate with WSDOT staff and the Contractor, maintain the Statistical Analysis of Materials (SAM) program, instruct personnel to sample materials, determine the acceptability of the materials during progress estimate preparation.
• Prepare plans, specifications and estimates for change orders, review construction schedule for impacts, verify approvals, prepare justification records and the change order checklist and track change orders in Construction Contracts Information System.
• Process, track and coordinate design build documentation, track, review, coordinate with subject matter experts and process design build documentation.
• Prepare professional letters, reports, and other required documentation for the public and other external customers.
• Apply sound engineering judgement to interpret data, identify problems, and develop solutions.
• Track, document, and report daily work activities.

These are Transportation Engineer 2 positions. However, the hiring manager reserves the right to fill the positions 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.

• Engineering Fundamentals: Foundational knowledge of civil and transportation engineering principles, methods, and mathematical concepts used to solve routine engineering problems. Ability to apply this knowledge to support design, construction, inspection, and analysis activities, typically gained through education, training, or Engineer‑in‑Training (EIT) certification.

• Engineering Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge and practical understanding of engineering principles, methods, and practices applicable to transportation projects. Ability to independently apply this knowledge to engineering assignments, including design development, construction techniques, material testing procedures,…