Senior Civil Engineer - Traffic

Senior Civil Engineer – Public Works

Join our team and help shape the future of our city’s infrastructure!

Lead meaningful projects. Mentor others. Serve one community well.

Join the City of SeaTac Public Works team and help shape infrastructure that supports mobility, safety, and quality of life for the people we serve. We are seeking a Senior Civil Engineer who brings strong technical expertise and a collaborative, people-centered approach to delivering public works projects.

This role is well suited for an experienced engineer who can lead capital projects from planning through construction, mentor other engineers, and work within a values-driven organization committed to thoughtful public service.

Why Join Us?

• Work on projects that directly benefit the community 
• Lead projects end-to-end, from concept through construction
• A stable, predictable workload focused on quality and stewardship
• Opportunities to mentor and guide other engineers
• A collaborative environment grounded in trust and accountability
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits

How We Work

Our Public Works team is guided by shared values that shape how we deliver projects and work together:

• Accountable – We take ownership of our work, follow through on commitments, and deliver projects that are practical, defensible, and maintainable.
• Collaborative – We work across disciplines and departments, valuing the perspectives of operators, planners, consultants, and the community.
• Trustworthy – We act with integrity and transparency, using sound engineering judgment to earn trust through consistency and clarity.
• Socially Responsible – We recognize that public infrastructure decisions affect real people and neighborhoods, and we approach our work with care for equity, safety, and long-term community benefit.
• Emotionally Intelligent – We communicate respectfully, navigate differing viewpoints thoughtfully, and understand that strong relationships are essential to delivering successful public projects.

As a Senior Civil Engineer, you will lead and deliver transportation and public works capital projects while supporting the growth and success of the team around you.

Representative duties include:

• Lead the design and construction of public works projects including streets, traffic signals, intelligent transportation systems, utilities, and stormwater facilities (E)
• Develop plans, specifications, and cost estimates suitable for public bidding (E)
• Serve as project manager on assigned capital projects, overseeing scope, schedule, budget, and construction (E)
• Develop scopes of work and fee estimates for consultant-led projects; participate in consultant selection, contract negotiation, and contract administration (E)
• Review and approve consultant plans, deliverables, and invoices to ensure alignment with City standards and project goals (E)
• Review and monitor private development projects within the public right-of-way, subdivisions, and plats to ensure compliance with federal, state, and municipal requirements (E)
• Perform technical and regulatory review of engineering plans, specifications, and reports; identify and guide corrective actions as needed (E)
• Work in a lead role with assigned staff, providing project leadership, mentorship, and professional guidance to Civil Engineers and Engineering Technicians (E)
• Support hiring and employee selection processes and contribute to a positive, collaborative team culture (E)

• E denotes an essential function of the job

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a closely related field
• Professional Engineer (PE) license (Washington State or ability to obtain within one year)
• Minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible public works or municipal engineering experience
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects independently, communicate clearly, and work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders

OR
 A combination of education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the job.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of MUTCD, AASHTO, and Highway Capacity Manual standards
• Experience with traffic engineering and analysis software (e.g., Synchro, HCS, SIDRA)
• Proficiency with AutoCAD and Microsoft Office applications
• Familiarity with GIS and ArcMap
• Experience with traffic impact analysis and transportation planning

What We’re Looking For

Knowledge of:

• Advanced principles and practices of civil and traffic engineering
• Capital project delivery and construction contract administration
• Local government processes, codes, regulations, and development review

• Skill in:

  • Leading and coordinating complex capital improvement projects
  • Building effective working relationships with staff, consultants, contractors, and the public
  • Mentoring and guiding engineers and technicians
  • Translating regulatory requirements into practical, buildable solutions

• Ability to:

  • Communicate effectively and respectfully, both verbally and in writing
  • Provide leadership in a team-oriented, public-service environment
  • Balance technical rigor with collaboration, accountability, and empathy
  • Work independently while contributing to shared departmental goals

• Professional Engineer (PE) license required (Washington State or ability to obtain within one year)
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License by date of appointment

• Satisfactory three-year driving abstract prior to hire

Salary : $116,815 - $149,533