Director-Design

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following our Accessibility Accomodation for Applicants page. Director-Design Posted on August 5, 2026 Locations Showing 1 location Seattle, WA 98104, USA Hybrid Full-Time Requisition #: DIREC003684 Description Salary range is $137k to $245k with a midpoint of $191k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market. Sound Transit also offers a competitivebenefits package with a wide range of offerings, including: Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner. Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance. Employee Assistance Program. Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution). Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year. Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents. ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost. Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses. Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services. Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under direction of the Project Director, leads and directs the design development and supports delivery of major capital transit projects including light rail, commuter rail, operations and maintenance facilities, and bus rapid transit facilities. Provides strategic leadership in managing complex design programs, establishing technical direction, and ensuring integration across multiple disciplines while maintaining alignment with agency objectives, policies, and procedures

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Promotes quality and safety awareness and adherence to safety policies and procedures; ensures construction contracts comply with safety certification requirements. Assembles, directs, and manages design teams consisting of staff and consultants to ensure achievement of key project milestones and design quality within the project budget. Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work of assigned staff; assigns work activities and coordinates schedules, projects, and programs; provides constructive feedback; reviews and evaluates work and makes effective suggestions and recommendations. Leads design and construction support work by assigned staff, consultants, and contractors including street work, structures, tunnel and portals, track work, stations, traffic control, drainage, and utilities to ensure adherence to design criteria, engineering standards, technical criteria and procedures, and quality control procedures for design and construction Directs coordination with other agency technical staff; supports oversight of the work of engineering design consultants to assure adequacy, competence, economy, operational feasibility, and maintainability of design and construction; and assists in the selection and hiring of design consultants and construction contractors. Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned projects. Serves as the liaison with other programs, divisions, and departments, and outside agencies and local jurisdictions; and negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues. Work closely with the Real Property division and Transit Oriented Development (TOD) division to scope, negotiate and manage pre-development activities necessary for surplusing of property either as standard agency surplus or in conjunction with implementation of the Agency’s strategic TOD plan. Supports the community outreach and public information effort(s) applicable to the assigned projects; responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints. Serves as the liaison with Agency Board members, elected officials, the media, local community groups, and the general public regarding program design and implementation; and conducts regular briefings to the Board(s) on Program status. Regularly reviews, analyzes and tracks project issues and provides recommendations on strategies to resolve these issues; recommends modifications to functional areas, policies, and procedures as appropriate; and conducts follow-up to ensure that the issues have been resolved. Develops, administers, maintains, and oversees the annual budget for the assigned capital projects; makes recommendations and forecasts for future funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; reviews and approves department expenditures and implements adjustments; ensures that program, and where applicable individual project(s), expenditures and cost estimates are adequately documented and monitored throughout the Program area and to their completion. Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency. Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy. It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees. It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices. Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, or closely related field. Eightyears of progressively responsible experience in transit/transportation design including experience managing large-scale capital projects with federal funding and FTA requirements. Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Six years of leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience Required Licenses or Certifications: Valid Washington state driver’s license. This role will perform inspections on active construction sites, stations, and facilities, including locations that are not currently served by transit. Driving an agency vehicle will be necessary to monitor construction tasks and respond to emergent situations at any time of day, within assigned projects and project corridors. Professional Civil Engineer license issued by the State of Washington orLicensed Architect in Washington State (or ability to obtain within 12 months) Preferred Licenses and Certifications Certifications or licenses related to Design Build or other alternative construction delivery methods (e.g., DBIA). Required Knowledge and Skills: Expert knowledge of transit facility design principles and practices Strong understanding of systems design integration in transit projects Advanced understanding of project delivery methods and contracting Knowledge of Sound Transit design standards and specifications Accountability: Leads by example, demonstrating the behaviors, work ethic, focus, and determination expected from the team; Establishes clear performance metrics (KPIs), regularly shares progress against metrics, holds team members accountable for results, and addresses performance gaps to ensure continuous improvement Balances Stakeholders: Demonstrates understanding internal and external stakeholder requirements, expectations, and needs; Able to balance the interests of multiple stakeholders; Acts fair despite conflicting demands of stakeholders Strong Decision Making: Makes sound decisions, even in the absence of complete information; Relies on a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment when making decisions; Considers all relevant factors and uses appropriate decision-making criteria and principles; Recognizes when a quick 80% solution will suffice Collaboration: Works cooperatively with others across the organization to achieve shared objectives; Represents own interests while being fair to others and their areas; Partners with others to get work done; Credits others for their contributions and accomplishments; Gains trust and support of others Leads Through Ambiguity: Deals comfortable with the uncertainty of change; Leads teams through change(s) and challenges with confidence, addressing resistance and fostering adaptability; Effectively handles risk; Can decide and act without the total picture; Is calm and productive, even when things are up in the air; Deals constructively with problems that do not have clear solutions or outcomes Results Orientation: Has a strong bottom-line orientation; Persists in accomplishing objectives despite obstacles and setbacks; Demonstrated track record of exceeding goals successfully; Pushes self and helps others achieve results Developing Talent: Places high priority on developing others through coaching, feedback, exposure, and stretch assignments; Aligns employee career development goals with organizational objectives; Encourages people to accept developmental moves Directing Others: Advanced skill in providing clear directions and accountabilities; Delegating and distributing assignments and decisions appropriately; Monitoring progress and maintaining open dialogue on work and results; Providing appropriate guidance, direction and discipline; Intervening as needed to remove obstacles, redirect activity as needed Customer Focus: Gains insight into customer needs; Identifies opportunities that benefit the customer; Builds and delivers solutions that meet customer expectations; Establishes and maintains effective customer relationships. Drives Engagement: Structures the work so it aligns with people’s goals; Empowers others; Makes each person feel his/her contributions are important; Invites input and shares ownership and visibility; Shows a clear connection between people’s motivators and the organizational goals Resourcefulness: Marshals resources (people, funding, material, support) to get things done; Orchestrates multiple activities simultaneously to accomplish a goal; Gets the most out of limited resources; Applies knowledge of internal structures, processes, and culture to resourcing efforts Physical Demands / Work Environment: Work is performed in a hybrid environment with an expectation of working in office a minimum of 3 days per week. Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise. This position is responsible for working on active construction sites; may be subject to bending, climbing, crawling, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, grasping, sitting, standing, walking, and carrying and lifting of objects up to 50 pounds. The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required. Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor. #J-18808-Ljbffr Sound Transit