Chief Engineer (Executive Director-Engineering)

Salary range is $140k to $450k, with a midpoint of $295k. 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.
• 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.

Under general guidance from the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) for Agency Oversight (AO), the Executive Director-Engineering (Chief Engineer) is accountable and responsible for leading the engineering function at Sound Transit. The Engineering Division includes programs focused on infrastructure engineering, systems engineering and integration, and technical standards. The Chief Engineer provides strategic leadership to the Directors of those programs while integrating and aligning the Division's work efforts with those of other divisions and departments, including technical staff outside of Agency Oversight. The Chief Engineer is also responsible for providing strategic partnership to the DCEO. The Chief Engineer represents Agency Oversight as well as the broader Agency on technical and design issues of consequence and provides recommendations to the DCEO and other agency executives on complex and multi-disciplinary technical issues, as required. The Chief Engineer collaborates frequently with leaders in and outside of Agency Oversight including consultants, contractors, and high-level officials in partner agencies and local authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs). In addition to outstanding leadership, decision-making, strategic, and critical thinking skills, the Chief Engineer is able to communicate highly complex, technical issues thoughtfully and succinctly. The Chief Engineer may serve as acting DCEO when required.

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.

• Provides strong leadership to the Engineering Division through coaching, training, and motivating senior staff.
• Serves as the Agency's responsible professional for the adequacy, completeness, safety, and quality of the Agency's design standards for facilities and systems.
• Measures the Division's performance and takes appropriate corrective action.
• Directs, manages, and supervises program directors by providing timely and constructive feedback.
• Formulates policy, standards, and strategy to deliver appropriate engineering participation in the Agency's capital and operations programs.
• Ensures that directors implement effective and efficient systems, processes, and procedures that support staff work.
• Keeps current with the status of the capital program, operations, maintenance, passenger experience, and information technology.
• Regularly supports capital program/project delivery and supports the Operations Department to resolve facility, operational, and maintenance issues.
• Serves as member of Agency Oversight leadership by providing strategic advice and problem-solving support to the DCEO, other Agency Oversight divisions, and Agency executive leadership.
• Develops and maintains key relationships with external jurisdictions' representatives to ensure effective delivery of service and projects and to build credibility in Agency Oversight and the Agency. Serves as spokesperson for Agency Oversight and the Agency as required.
• Develops and oversees the Division's budget, including recommending and forecasting future funding needs on staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies. This includes reviewing and approving Division expenditures, implementing budget adjustments, and preparing and delivering budget presentations to decision makers.
• Ensures that Directors resource the approval of proposed exceptions to the Agency's design standards.
• Participates in or delegates the participation in a variety of boards, commissions, and committees.
• Prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Maintains awareness of new trends and developments in related fields by attending and participating in professional group meetings.
• Ensures processes, policies, and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively.
• Ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, and other rules and regulations.
• 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, Transportation or Urban Planning or related field, and twelve years of experience in the management and direction of project designs or the construction of mass transit, transportation, or public works projects; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Ten years of progressively senior leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience. Management experience in the public sector, and related to the planning, design, construction, and delivery of transportation/transit systems and facilities is preferred.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• A valid certificate of registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Washington.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong leadership skills at both a Program and Agency level
• Exercising independent judgment.
• Analytical, strategic, and critical thinking.
• Engineering principles related to the design, construction, and maintenance of transit infrastructure.
• Working cooperatively with all levels of an organization, as well as establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with key staff and elected officials outside the Agency and the public.
• Leading and empowering teams of diverse staff to deliver complex projects under pressure.
• Setting overall direction, monitoring progress, and making course corrections as required.
• Translating complex, technical information for decision-makers in clear written and verbal communication.
• Efficient and inclusive decision-making.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as they apply to transit operations.
• Risk assessment and strategic planning.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Advanced principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration, including principles of financial management (expenditure tracking, variance identification, and revenue tracking).
• Delivery of complex transit/transportation capital projects, including project management, design, construction, operations, and maintenance. Transit systems experience preferred.
• Contract and procurement strategies and management principles.
• Policy and procedure development.
• Presentation development and public speaking skills.
• Working effectively under pressure to meet deadlines and adjust to changing priorities.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid office and field environment.
• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• 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.