As a registered professional engineer, performs senior level professional engineering work, which constitutes the practice of engineering as defined by RCW 18.43.

Assignments involve independent responsibility for organizing, directing and coordinating professional engineering activities of considerable scope and complexity.  Incumbents apply in-depth, diversified knowledge of engineering, use advanced techniques, and make final decisions within their area of responsibility.  Supervision is consulted on critical issues, policy matters, and unusual problems.  Incumbents are usually responsible for a complex engineering unit or function including supervision of several support staff or serve as consultants in a specialized area of engineering having significant statewide impact.

While reporting to a Transportation Supervising Engineer, Bridge Engineering Supervisor or Transportation Planning Supervisor or above, typical assignments at this level fall into one or more of the following categories:

1. Responsible charge of a complex engineering unit or function including supervision of at least one Transportation Engineer 4, Bridge Engineer 4 or Transportation Planning Specialist 4.
2. Responsible charge of a complex engineering unit or function including supervision of at least nine support staff.
3. Statewide specialist in a complex technical area which constitutes the senior level practice of professional engineering.

Typical working titles at this level which correlate with the above categories include: 

Category 1 

• District Design Engineer
• District Plans Engineer
• District Materials Engineer
• Marine Terminal Design/PS&E Squad Leader
• Headquarters Design Review Squad Leader
• Headquarters Design Standards Team Leader
• Headquarters PS&E Review Team Leader
• Traffic Operations Safety Supervisor
• Freight Rail Program Engineer
• Transportation System Evaluation Engineer
• Regional Bridge Inspection Program Engineer 

Category 2 

• Project Engineer
• Headquarters General Testing Engineer 

Category 3 

• Headquarters Traffic Analysis Supervisor
• Headquarters Signal, Illumination and Pavement Marking Engineer
• Local Programs Traffic Services Engineer
• Headquarters Geotechnical Engineer
• Headquarters Pavement Engineer
• Headquarters Bituminous Testing Engineer
• Headquarters Construction Program/Category Manager
• Research Implementation Engineer
• Headquarters Hydraulic Design/Design Review Team Leader 

Performs other work as assigned.

Professional registration as a Civil Engineer in the State of Washington or another state based on requirements equivalent to those in Washington.

Professional registration as a Civil Engineer in the State of Washington or another state based on requirements equivalent to those in Washington and one year of experience as a Transportation Engineer 4 or equivalent, such as Bridge Engineer 4 or Transportation Planning Specialist 4.

NOTE: Possession of a valid driver’s license may be required.

NOTE: Requirements for professional registration as a civil engineer in the State of Washington are eight years of professional experience (which may include up to four years of college-level engineering education) and successful completion of 16 hours of professional licensing exams. Applicants qualifying through the licensure equivalency option must achieve professional registration as a civil engineer in the State of Washington within six months of appointment to this class.

NOTE: Some positions require possession of a valid Washington State Geologist license. Some positions may additionally require possession of a Washington State Engineering Geologist specialty license and/or a Washington State Hydrogeologist specialty license.

New class adopted October 1, 1978.
Revise class. Revises distinguishing characteristics (adds Traffic Operation Engineer function); adopted March 14, 1980.
Revise class. Revises definition, distinguishing characteristics; adopted September 11, 1981.
Revise class. Revises definition, distinguishing characteristics, minimum qualifications; adopted March 13, 1992.
Revise class. Revise minimum qualifications; adopted October 15, 1999.
Revise class. Revises minimum qualifications to reflect licensure requirement; adopted
November 15, 2002.
Revise class. Revises class code (formerly 66200), general revision; adopted
May 10, 2007 effective July 1, 2007.
Base range salary adjustment adopted 6/30/2017, effective 7/1/2017.