Senior Transportation Engineer

The City of Kirkland's Public Works Department is seeking to hire a Senior Transportation Engineer!

Why Kirkland?

• Serves as a subject matter expert (SME) to peers, City staff, and to the public.
• Provides SME design review, comments, direction, and coordination supporting Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Division, Development, and other projects for ITS, traffic signals, street/pedestrian lighting, signing, and channelization elements to ensure effective, proper, and safe design. Coordinates transportation staff's comments before delivery. May introduce new project ideas to be added to the CIP in coordination with Transportation Planners.
• Provides or oversees traffic modeling for engineering studies and projects; participates in engineering studies in coordination with other staff.
• Interprets and applies standards, guidelines, and policies to transportation projects; leads teams to develop new or update existing policies, pre-approved plans, standard operating procedures, programs, or codes.
• Leads and oversees complex engineering assignments; coordinates, advises and confers with project team members, consultants, and other project stakeholders on design alternatives and solutions in engineering design and construction.
• Exercises overall project management skills in all phases of project management; may oversee budgets and project timelines; directs, leads, and oversees inter-departmental professional staff, consultants, inspectors, and multidisciplinary teams; and provides recommendations to ensure projects meet intended goals. Administers consultant contracts for engineering studies and design.
• Prepares grant applications from Federal, State, regional and county funded programs for transportation projects. May manage grant implementation.
• Prepares responses to service requests and inquiries from community members. Provides summaries for Transportation Engineering Supervisor, Transportation Manager, Public Works Director, and/or elected officials.
• Provides excellent service to internal and external customers.
• Works with diverse groups to build consensus on transportation engineering issues.
• Conducts advanced and complex transportation engineering and related studies, evaluation of alternatives, make recommendations and present reports to the Transportation Engineering Supervisor, Transportation Manager, Public Works Director, Transportation Commission, and/or City Council.
• Works with attorneys, insurance companies, and police; participates with City Attorney's Office in lawsuit discovery and interrogatories to establish legal arguments and provide historical information. May represent the City as an expert witness in court as needed.
• Develops and implements innovative programs to increase pedestrian, bicycle, and transit safety and mobility.
• Assists with establishing and monitoring project and program goals and priorities and tracks performance measures related to these objectives.
• Initiates, coordinates, and/or participates in public outreach efforts including open house events, online media, and attending stakeholder neighborhood events; provides explanation of project objectives and needs; seeks out feedback from community.
• Supports and facilitates partnerships with public sector; collaborates with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and other local agencies to help accomplish Kirkland's transportation goals.
• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, contributing to a respectful environment living and working in a multicultural society.

• Performs functions as assigned in the City's emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.
• Other duties as assigned by the Transportation Engineering Supervisor, Transportation Manager, department Director and/or Deputy Director(s).

• Thorough knowledge of transportation engineering principles, practices and methods as applicable to a municipal setting.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable federal, state and City codes, policies, laws, and regulations affecting division activities.
• Ability to make decisions independently, navigate ambiguity, and apply sound judgment under stressful situations.
• Ability to provide collaborative and consultative style of leadership in managing the delivery of transportation engineering studies, programs, and projects.
• Extensive knowledge of transportation operations, including traffic signal timing, modeling, and travel forecasting.
• Knowledge of traffic systems, technology, and software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to present technical information in understandable ways to a wide variety of technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to prepare, coordinate, or oversee preparation and presentation of technical analysis to City staff, Transportation Commission, and/or City Council.
• Ability to manage scope, schedule, and budget of transportation-led studies and engineering projects.
• Ability to mentor transportation engineering staff, teach team members new skills, and collaboratively work through complex engineering problems.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, including the ability to synthesize complex tasks into manageable procedures.
• Knowledge of highway safety management principles and practices, such as the FHWA's Safe System Approach.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data and come up with a recommendation or conclusion.
• Knowledge of interlocal agency agreements, contracts, and procedures.
• Familiar with transit, non-motorized, and demand management and their relationship to a complete transportation system.
• Ability to identify and address risks to project design, schedule, or budget.
• Ability to negotiate effectively.
• Extensive understanding of liability and risk issues as they relate to transportation such as traffic control and traffic collisions.
• Knowledge of the land development process with respect to transportation design and operations.
• Ability to use a computer, and effectively navigate Microsoft Office Suite, engineering applications, and data management software in performing essential duties.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.
• Experience: 7+ years' experience in transportation engineering or related field.
• Or: In place of the above requirements, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual's knowledge, skill, and ability to proficiently perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

• Professional Engineer (PE) required, or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire at own expense.
• Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (PTOE) preferred.
• Master of Science in Civil Engineering with Transportation or Traffic Engineering focus preferred.
• Must have a valid Washington State Driver's license (or the ability to obtain within six months) and ability to remain insurable under the City's insurance to operate motor vehicles.

Physical Demands and Working Environment:
This position works primarily in an office environment but also outside at construction sites and sites with existing development on occasion. The fieldwork may occur in varying weather conditions and involves investigating existing infrastructure, issue identification, and private and public construction monitoring related to transportation infrastructure. This position may require climbing, bending, stooping, kneeling, and crawling. This position encounters foot hazards as defined by the WAC, which may include any of the following: falling objects, rolling objects, piercing/cutting injuries, or electrical hazards. Evening meeting attendance is required periodically.

Selection Process

Position requires a resume and cover letter for consideration of application. Please note how you meet minimum qualifications within the cover letter. Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail. Candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date as screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will be made through the recruitment period, until such time as the vacancy is filled. First review of applications will occur on January 26, 2026.

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings. Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf 711.