Job Description

Posting number: 2026-00873

Department: Seattle Department of Transportation

Division: Transportation Operations

Job classification: Civil Engineer, Senior

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Engineering, Transportation, Project Management, Program Management

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 historic 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!

SDOT’s Transportation Operations Division's (TOD) is looking to hire a Traffic Control Lead ( under the City's classification title of Senior Civil Engineer). The Lead will primarily support the increasing scale and complexity of Sound Transit 3 (ST3) construction impacts within Seattle’s right-of-way (ROW). The position will lead planning, design, construction (sequencing and impacts), and designing/developing mitigation packages based on the construction sequencing, in order to minimize the impact on the roadway users. This position will also lead junior engineers that design, review, and approve Temporary Traffic Control Plans (TTCPs) for work happening in SDOT’s ROW and expedite reviews to facilitate the program’s schedule.

The Lead will require advanced technical expertise, independent judgment, and responsibility for a specialized Traffic Engineering program area (temporary traffic control). This role will provide final technical authorization and ensure public safety standards are met. Also, this position will coordinate across SDOT divisions and external agencies to represent SDOT as the licensed traffic engineering expert. The position will report to the Traffic Control Supervisor.

Examples of duties

• Lead responsibilities include planning, organizing, and directing the work of a professional engineering team; providing technical leadership and guidance; ensuring consistency, quality, and soundness of engineering decisions; and supporting the professional growth and development of team members.
• Leads and performs advanced civil engineering analysis and design development for the Sound Transit 3 (ST3) Program, serving as senior technical authority responsible managing design changes and supporting the transition to final operations, as well as developing and implementing policies for construction sequencing and traffic mitigation standards.
• Manages the development of engineering plans and specifications and other technical documentation for capital and interagency projects for work within the City of Seattle.
• Monitors the work of consultants, city crews, and construction contractors to ensure compliance with contract provisions and scope of work and adherence to approved plans.
• Design, review, and approve complex traffic control plans that maintain continuity of Protected Bike Lanes (PBLs), pedestrian facilities, and high-volume transit lanes that may be impacted by construction.
• Coordinate with the Construction HUB Coordination and Traffic Signal Operations teams to resolve, minimize, and mitigate conflicts affecting mobility across all modes of travel where temporary traffic control is required and impacts regular operations.
• Collaborate with consultants and contractors to develop effective solutions to a wide range of traffic control challenges.
• Conduct field inspections with construction teams to address site-specific concerns and resolve temporary traffic control issues arising from unforeseen or changed conditions.
• Supports citywide, department-wide, and division-wide initiatives to address transportation safety and planning, racial and social equity, and environmental and regional issues; apply engineering judgment and data-driven analysis to advance equitable transportation outcomes.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Five (5) or more years professional civil engineering experience;
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or Civil Engineering Technology;

OR: A combinations of education and/or training and/or experience, which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Washington.
• Current Washington State driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

Successful candidates will possess many of these additional qualifications or be able to demonstrate comparable experience and expertise:

• Construction, roadway, and other offsite experience with traffic control set-ups.
• Field experience with traffic control set-ups
• Traffic Control Supervisor certification
• Excellent record keeping skills
• Effective customer service experience; demonstrated reliability
• Flexible and able to prioritize needs in an environment with rapidly changing work conditions and priorities
• Experience working for a local government organization
• Effectively work in a multi-cultural workplace with a diverse customer base.

Supplemental information

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• Most work is performed in a normal City work/office environment with hybrid options a t this time.
• Field assignments entail exposure to all types of weather, traffic, hazardous/toxic substances and work in or near construction sites.
• May be required to lift over 50 pounds.
• May be required to stand, walk, or bend for extended periods of time.
• May be required to work nights, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Overnight travel may be required.

Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including professional work and education verifications.

This hiring process involves a background check of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be provided with an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The full salary range for this position is $74.99 - $87.31 per hour.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.
More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, veterans and those with diverse life experiences.

Accommodations for people with disabilities are provided on request.

The City is a Drug Free Workplace.