Senior Transportation Engineer

Why Kirkland?

The City of Kirkland’s Public Works Department is hiring a Senior Transportation Engineer.

Ranked as one of the most livable cities in America, Kirkland offers a mix of big‑city vision and small‑town community feel. Candidates who want to innovate for the future will find this city inviting.

The Senior Transportation Engineer provides project management and senior‑level technical traffic and transportation engineering services. Responsibilities include traffic signals, signs, markings, development review, operations analysis, traffic safety analysis, traffic data collection, and evaluation of transportation alternatives. The engineer makes complex decisions and interprets policy under the supervision of the Transportation Engineering Supervisor.

This senior‑level classification is the most technical role outside of the Transportation Engineering Supervisor and Transportation Manager. The engineer works under limited supervision, provides expertise to peers and the public, and serves as a resource to other employees.

• Serves as a subject matter expert (SME) to City staff and the public.
• Provides SME design review and coordination for ITS, street/pedestrian lighting, signing, and channelization elements.
• Oversees traffic modeling for engineering studies and projects.
• Interprets standards, guidelines, and policies and leads teams to develop new policies and procedures.
• Leads and oversees complex engineering assignments and coordinates project teams.
• Exercises overall project management skills, may oversee budgets and timelines, directs multidisciplinary teams, and administers consultant contracts.
• Prepares grant applications from federal, state, regional, and county funded programs.
• Responds to service requests and inquiries from community members and provides summaries to senior leadership.
• Provides excellent service to internal and external customers.
• Builds consensus on transportation engineering issues with diverse groups.
• Conducts advanced studies, evaluates alternatives, and presents reports to senior leadership and the City Council.
• Participates in lawsuit discovery and may represent the City as an expert witness.
• Develops and implements innovative pedestrian, bicycle, and transit safety programs.
• Tracks performance measures related to project and program goals.
• Initiates public outreach efforts, including open house events and stakeholder meetings.
• Collaborates with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and other agencies.
• Promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace.

• Performs functions as assigned in the City’s emergency response plan.
• Other duties as assigned by senior leadership.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.
• Experience:
  
  7+ years in transportation engineering or related field.
• Or a combination of relevant education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential duties.

• Professional Engineer (PE) required, or ability to obtain within 6 months at own expense.
• Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (PTOE) preferred.
• Master of Science in Civil Engineering with Transportation or Traffic Engineering focus preferred.
• Valid Washington State Driver’s license required and ability to remain insurable under the City’s insurance.

The position is primarily office‑based but includes fieldwork at construction sites. Fieldwork may occur in varying weather conditions and involves investigating existing infrastructure and monitoring construction. The role requires climbing, bending, stooping, kneeling, and crawling and may encounter foot hazards. Evening meeting attendance is required periodically.

Position requires a resume and cover letter. Applicants should demonstrate how they meet minimum qualifications within the cover letter. First review of applications will occur on January 26, 2026. Candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible because screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will continue until the vacancy is filled.

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. 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.

Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations may call 425‑587‑3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf 711.

Questions about the application process may be directed to the City’s Human Resources Department.