Senior Signal and Traffic Design Engineer, PE

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

Position Overview:

SDOT's Transportation Operations Division (TOD) has an exciting opportunity for a collaborative and detail-oriented Senior Signal and Traffic Design Engineer (under the City's classification title of Senior Civil Engineer). The position will work with a team of professionals whose mission is to deliver a safe, reliable, efficient, and socially equitable transportation system that enhances Seattle's environment and economic vitality. The position will report to the Design Supervisor and is responsible for designing and managing crew maintenance and installation work for Transportation Operations, Signal Operations, Traffic Spot Improvements, Neighborhood Greenways, Safe Routes to School, Transit Spot Improvement, and Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.

• Serve as project engineer on signs/marking and signal design for design work related to new traffic signals, signal modifications, signal rebuilds, intelligent transportation systems (ITS), lighting systems, transit facility, and miscellaneous pedestrian, bicycle, and transit improvements along both arterial and non-arterial roadways.
• Perform detailed CAD drawings as well as necessary computations in the preparation of preliminary and final plans.
• Prepare and monitor project and program schedules and budgets.
• Perform preliminary and final designs and/or prepare design criteria for roadways, traffic signals, lighting systems, ITS, signs/markings, and other related public works projects.
• Coordinate and cooperate with other agencies, departments, divisions, and private utilities involved in or affected by projects.
• Oversee project progress from design through construction.
• Review, evaluate, and correct plans, specifications, estimates and agreements provided by internal and external engineering staff in the development of preliminary and final designs; coordinate and oversee work of crews, contractors, affected public agencies, and utilities to ensure compliance.
• Conduct or supervise field inspections of work done by crews and contractors to ensure compliance with plans and specifications.
• Review shop drawings, material sources, and specifications during construction.
• Order materials from vendors, and assist in responses to public complaints and interacting with the public in a professional manner while representing the agency during field work.
• Promote equity, diversity, and race and social justice at SDOT.

Minimum Qualifications

You must have:

• 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.

You'll be successful in this role if you have:

• Three (3)+ years of experience in traffic signal design, traffic engineering and operations.
• Specific civil engineering experience in design of bicycle, pedestrian, and transit facilities, roadways, infrastructure, and signal and lighting improvements related to public works transportation facilities.
• Ability to read and interpret plans, specs, construction schedules, contracts, and other construction documents to ensure contract compliance.
• Ability to negotiate, mediate, and facilitate issues to positive conclusion within various environments.
• Effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills with a wide diverse population
• Ability to work independently under strict timelines and constantly changing priorities, while keeping supervisor informed of progress and issues.
• Strong proficiency in MS Word, MS Excel, SharePoint, Adobe Professional, Bluebeam AutoCAD, and Civil 3D.
• Familiarity with traffic signal design, channelization design, and City of Seattle, WSDOT, NACTO, MUTCD, and City/County roadway design standards.
• The ability to effectively work in a multi-cultural workplace with a diverse customer base.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• Most work is performed in a normal City work/office environment with hybrid options. At this time, three (3) days in-office and two (2) days remotely.
• 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 background check.

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 $ $84.28 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

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.

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.