Design Manager-Civil Engineering (Ballard Link Extension) (Term-Limited)

Salary and Benefits

Salary range is $104k to $206k with a midpoint of $155k. 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: two medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan 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% employee contribution with a 12% match; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee contribution).
• Paid Time Off: 25 days accrual annually with increases at 4, 8 and 12 years of service; director level accrues additional days. 12 paid holidays and up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks for new parents.
• Pet Insurance discount.
• ORCA Card: full-time employees receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity, with work-life balance, professional development, and recognition.

This is a term-limited position of 5 years.

General Purpose

Under general management of the Capital Delivery Department and reporting to the Design Director, this role leads, manages and coordinates the delivery of design elements of light rail extension projects within the Capital Delivery Department. The position provides oversight of and instruction to design consultant teams and coordinates with third parties and AHJs, alongside Sound Transit Operations, Engineering, Architecture, Urban Design, Planning, Transit-Oriented Development, Sustainability, Security & Safety and Quality staff. The primary function is to ensure delivery of value and quality of design to fulfill the agency’s mission.

This Design Manager position will focus on the Ballard Link Extension Project, concentrating on the delivery of design elements including tunnel, tunneled stations, and portals within an urban dense environment.

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 duties as needed.

• Lead a technical team of subject matter experts and inspire creativity to solve design problems during preliminary engineering, final design, or construction phases.
• Supervise, coach, train and motivate staff and consultant teams.
• Manage and coordinate transit-related heavy civil designs, including architectural, civil, tunnels, traffic, track, structural, geotechnical, landscaping, ventilation, station electrical, lighting, TOD, and urban design efforts, coordinating between multiple design teams and engineering experts.
• Provide cross-departmental program, design and requirements coordination with Operations, Passenger Experience, the Project Management Office, and IT.
• Administer and manage design consultant contracts, including scopes of work, peer reviews, design reviews, contract packaging, schedules, budgets, construction support, and risk assessments.
• Be accountable for technical resolution of milestone design submission comments through collaboration with project design teams, AHJs and stakeholders.
• Support development and negotiation of agreements and permits with third parties, including state and local agencies, utilities, developers, railroad authority and private property owners as required.
• Provide design support during construction including contract management, handling errors and omissions, resolving non-conformance issues, and change management of design-related issues.
• Support the department and others on matters as directed; participate in internal boards, commissions, and committees.
• Prepare staff reports and correspondence to Sound Transit leadership including Board and Executive leadership.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings.
• Maintain awareness of new trends and developments in related fields and apply appropriate ones.
• Ensure processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively.
• Ensure accountability and compliance with current state and federal laws, agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• Champion and model Sound Transit’s core values and demonstrate values-based behaviors across the agency.
• Contribute to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with the agency’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• Adhere to safety rules, regulations, and procedures for assigned duties; integrate sustainability into daily practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience : Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field. Five years of experience in civil/structural engineering design and construction; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Three years of leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience, preferably in a rail or transit-related environment.

Required Licenses Or Certifications :

• Professional Civil Engineer license issued by the State of Washington.

Required Knowledge And Skills

• Advanced understanding of managing professional design services and project design development.
• Strong knowledge of Federal, State, and local policies, laws, codes, and regulations.
• Strong knowledge of tunnel design principles and Sound Transit project delivery standards.
• Advanced knowledge of project management principles.
• Operations, services, and activities of transit engineering, site civil and construction programs.
• Experience obtaining design consulting services and contracting methods including scopes of work, reports, studies, cost estimates, plans, and specifications.
• Contract and procurement strategies and alternative forms such as GCCM design-build and related management principles.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to convey technical information concisely.
• Public speaking skills to represent the Agency at meetings.
• Supervisory and team leadership skills.
• Negotiation and partnering with local jurisdictions, utilities, contractors, and community groups.
• Ability to prepare, review, interpret, analyze, and modify complex engineering plans and documents for conformance to standards and budgets.
• Applying advanced project and contract management techniques.
• Proficiency with computer software for data compilation and reporting.
• Ability to collaborate and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, prioritize workload, and meet deadlines under pressure.

Physical Demands / Work Environment

• Work is performed in a hybrid office and field environment.
• Field work may involve exposure to dangerous machinery, extreme weather, physical hazards, hazardous chemicals, and/or high noise levels.
• The agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides required safety and equipment training.

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.