Senior Project Engineer

Salary : $141,708.91 - $166,716.84 Annually
Location : City Hall - 123 5th Ave, Kirkland, WA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202100836
Location: Public Works - Capital Improvement
Opening Date: 10/21/2026
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: AFSCME


Job Summary

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

About Public Works

The Public Works Department ensures the City's infrastructure remains safe, functional, and sustainable. It oversees vital services including stormwater management, transportation, water and wastewater systems, maintenance of streets and grounds, and capital improvement projects.

As the City's largest department, we are committed to the City's vision and the Department's mission. We play a vital role in making Kirkland livable, sustainable, and connected. We are City employees who take pride in being trusted stewards of the public's resources, infrastructure, environment, and quality of life.

We have a One Team approach, strive for excellence and attract, value, and keep diverse, talented employees.

Why Kirkland?
Ranked as one of the most livable cities in America, Kirkland is an attractive and inviting place to live, work, and visit. We have big city vision while maintaining a small-town, community feel. If you are a candidate with the desire to join an organization looking to innovate into the future, the City of Kirkland is the place for you!
If you ask our employees why they love where they work, they will tell you about the great people, work environment, supportive leadership and City Council, and innovation.
We also invest in you!
Competitive Wages: We strive to maintain competitive compensation packages and work to provide wages that meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities of our employees.
Awesome benefits: The City offers benefits that are unmatched by most other employers. Please click on the benefits tab above to view more details.
Childcare Programs: To help address the challenge of reliable childcare, the City of Kirkland has agreements with two local childcare providers that offer discounted rates for our employees at 10 locations within 20 miles of Kirkland. Learn more!
Training and Career Development: The City of Kirkland believes in developing its e mployees. You will have access to training opportunities designed for career development and advancement based on your position, skills, and interests.
After completing the probationary period, you will be eligible for an annual tool allowance to help cover the costs of purchasing or replacing tools used to perform your duties.
Job Summary
The role of the Senior Project Engineer is to provide senior-level administration and management of complex municipal capital improvement projects for the Capital Improvement section of Public Works. Coordinates individual project assignments and work flow for project engineers, inspectors, and engineering assistants/interns and serves as a technical expert and resource for other departmental personnel.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Provides administrative, design and construction management services for water, sewer, surface water, and transportation capital improvement projects.
• Plans, distributes, and coordinates project assignments and work loads among the Project Engineers, Inspectors, Engineering Assistants and other support staff.
• Functions as technical resource to peers, providing leadership, direction and motivational support. Ensures projected timelines and work quality are consistent with established performance measures.
• Assists the Deputy Director of Public Works - Capital Projects in the development and implementation of Public Works' six-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
• Assists the Deputy Director of Public Works - Capital Projects in the recruitment, interview, and performance evaluation of CIP staff.

Distinguishing Characteristics: The Senior Project Engineer classification is distinguished from the Project Engineer by the complexity, controversial nature, and/or high visibility of the type of assigned projects. The Senior Project Engineer is a resource to their peers and is considered a technical expert.

Essential Functions : Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assists in the development of the six-year CIP through various tasks including participation in the master planning of facilities, grant procurement, project scoping and estimating of individual projects.
• Coordinates and maintains standardized procedures, policies, and documentation for the Capital Improvement section to efficiently deliver CIP projects to the public consistent with City and community goals.
• Understands the project life cycle, including concept development, feasibility, planning, budgeting, scheduling, and execution readiness; defines scope, estimates costs, establishes milestones, and identifies risks and resource needs while collaborating with stakeholders to ensure projects align with organizational priorities and are delivered on time and within budget.
• Manages assigned projects from development of the scope of the project through to final construction and acceptance.
• Prepares project status updates for proper coordination and scheduling of CIP projects with other competing capital project, private, or other municipal interests.
• Provides technical expertise and engineering assistance to the Project Engineers and field crews for improvements, maintenance, or construction that is being performed by City crews.
• Provides oral and written information to a variety of audiences including City Council, the general public, adjacent departments, outside agencies, and others.
• Promotes training opportunities for the Project Engineers and support staff, acting as training mentor to new hires within CIP group.
• Provides input and assistance to the Deputy Director of Public Works - Capital Projects in the preparation of Performance Appraisals for the Project Engineers and CIP support staff.
• Represents CIP group on City service teams.
• Represents City and PW Department on State, Regional and Local planning, value engineering, or charette teams, as assigned.
• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, contributing to an environment of respectful living and working in a multicultural society.

Peripheral Duties:

• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Performs functions as assigned in the City's emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Understand and be able to apply principles and practices of civil engineering and construction project management as they apply to the planning, design, inspection, and construction of public works projects.
• Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills and the ability to work with the public, public officials, other department heads and staff, consultants, and contractors in a knowledgeable and professional manner.
• Position often requires construction conflict resolution with the ability to rapidly analyze technical and/or legal implications in decision making, working directly with the City Attorney and Washington Cities Insurance Authority when necessary.
• Exhibit positive leadership skills and intradepartmental cooperation through involvement with diverse work groups, community interests, or service teams.
• Ability to successfully prioritize competing deadlines, schedules, and limited resources among a variety of customers to insure timely delivery of programs and projects.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.
• Experience: 7 years of increasingly responsible experience working on municipal engineering projects, including 3 years of direct project management. 3 years computer experience with CPM, database, spreadsheet, and word processing applications.
• 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.

Licenses and Other Requirements:

• Professional Engineer registration is required.
• Must have a valid Washington State Driver's license and ability to remain insurable under the City's insurance to operate motor vehicles.

Other

Physical Demands and Working Environment:
Primarily office work, but the position also involves visiting construction sites under varying weather conditions. Potential hazards at construction sites include vehicular traffic, construction equipment, and uneven terrain. The position may require climbing ladders, scaffolding, and working in trenches or other confined spaces.
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.

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.

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 View phone number on click.appcast.io or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 711.
Final candidates for this position will be required to successfully complete a background check, consistent with applicable law.
This position includes a health insurance benefit package with 100% City-paid premiums for 1.0 FTE (medical/dental/vision for employee and dependents). Premium is prorated for less than 1.0 FTE positions with cost shared between City and the employee.


Participation in the Public Employees Retirement System is mandatory for all eligible positions.


Other employment benefits include:

• 401b Municipal Employee Benefits Trust (MEBT) with 6.2% City matching contribution
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation plan
• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) VEBA dollars with City contribution (City contribution depending on employee elected medical plan)
• Voluntary Flexible Spending Account for Healthcare and Childcare
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• City paid Life Insurance
• City paid Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Paid vacation (starts with 13 days first year may be prorated for part-time positions)
• Annual 12 paid holidays, including one floating holiday
• Paid sick leave accruals (benefit may vary based on applicable bargaining unit)
• Paid Management Leave for select leadership positions

Perks include:

• Alternative work schedules
• Free EV charging at Level 2 and 3 chargers
• Free ORCA card for public transit
• Access to onsite fitness center and secure bike storage at City Hall
• Free employee parking
• Childcare programs with discounted tuition rates
• Wellness and transportation incentives

For further review of City Benefits and Perks please visit