Associate Engineer-Processes and Standards (Term-Limited)

Salary range is $81k to $134k with a midpoint of $88k. 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 competitive benefits 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.
• Pet Insurance discount.
• 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.

This is a Term-Limited position with a duration of 5 years

GENERAL PURPOSE: 

The Associate Engineer plays a key role in supporting the Director with the administration and configuration management of Sound Transit’s project delivery standards within the Capital Delivery Department’s Transformation Division. This position performs a range of professional and technical duties under general direction, contributing to the development, implementation, and continual improvement of tools, processes, procedures, standardized project plans, lifecycle workflows, and standards that support the agency’s $60+ billion capital program. The Associate Engineer coordinates resources and work activities, facilitates information exchange among agency staff, consultants, and contractors, and helps drive clarity and consistency in business processes across the department and other agency departments, as required. The role also supports effective reporting, identifies process and standards related programmatic risks, develops solutions, and prepares and reviews reports, policies, and procedures for diverse audiences. The position requires sound judgment, initiative, and decision-making within established guidelines, while championing agency and departmental values to ensure operational excellence, transparency, and alignment with strategic and regulatory requirements. This role provides broad exposure to capital delivery governance, enterprise coordination, and executive level reporting, supporting professional growth toward advanced opportunities within the agency.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Under general direction, prepares and monitors scope, work plan, schedule, and budget of projects and initiatives planned by Technical Tools and Processes; and coordinates relevant outreach efforts.
• Tracks recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards and procedures, including version control, documentation, and coordination of implementation impacts.
• Monitors and evaluates use of standards, requirements, policies, and procedures across projects to ensure they are interpreted and applied consistently in coordination with enterprise governance partners, as applicable.  
• Research, review, and compiles information on updating standards and manuals.  
• Supports the development, maintenance, and configuration of standardized project plans, lifecycle workflows, templates, and supporting tools used across the capital delivery program.
• Develops, maintains, and reports metrics to re-evaluate and assess effectiveness and efficiencies of the processes and procedures; ensures effective communication of performance metrics. 
• Coordinates with the Program Management Office and other governance functions to support enterprise-wide alignment, consistency, and adherence to approved capital delivery standards and practices.
• Assists in identifying process and standards related risks, gaps, or inconsistencies that may impact cost, schedule, quality, or compliance, and supports development of mitigation strategies.
• Supports expectation management of and partnerships with other divisions, programs, departments, external stakeholders, partners, regulatory agencies, and the broader community; provides prompt and concise feedback or corrective actions as necessary. 
• Leverages industry best practices and trends, along with lessons learned, to implement continuous process improvements and ensure robust standards, requirements, and procedures. 
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate. 
• Responds to questions and inquiries from consultants, contractors, and department or agency staff regarding information related to area of assignment. 
• Presents and provides training on technical documents, standardized workflows, and tools to diverse audiences including technical and executive management.
• Participate in development, coordination and/or implementation of staff training. 
• Provides other support to the department as directed.
• 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: Bachelors degree in Engineering or related field; Four years of experience in providing engineering or project management support in planning, engineering or construction of small to mid-size projects, preferably in a public sector transit related organization; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong understanding of design and/or construction industry. 
• Ability to understand and apply design standards, policies and procedures, standardized project plans, and standard contract documents.
• Ability to utilize personal computer software programs to prepare spreadsheets, reports, and other documents. 
• Customer service skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the public. 
• Techniques to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing and competing priorities and balance competing demands. 
• Strong relationship building and management skills, and ability to positively influence the work of others.   
• Independent judgment, analytical and strategic thinking, and issue resolution.  
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to convey detailed technical information concisely and accurately to others. 
• Presentation development and public speaking skills.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable Federal, State, and local policies, laws and codes, and regulations.

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.
• 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.