Senior Project Engineer (Classification: Engineer III)

Summary

We’re searching for a standout Senior Project Engineer (Classification: Engineer III) to bring technical expertise, leadership, and vision to our team. If you're ready to take on a role that’s more than just a job-where your work truly matters-then this is your calling.

Join a powerhouse team of engineering and environmental professionals in King County, Solid Waste Division-where innovation meets impact. We’re not just building systems; we’re redefining resource recovery, commodity reuse, materials management, recycling, and disposal for communities, businesses, and residents across the region. And we’re doing it with purpose: protecting the environment while delivering one of the most forward-thinking waste management systems in the nation.

Step into the Facility, Engineering and Science Section, where personal growth and professional excellence go hand-in-hand. From high-stakes capital projects to the daily operations of King County’s only active landfill, we’re driven by curiosity, collaboration, and a commitment to engineering brilliance.

Let’s build something extraordinary together.

This posting may be used to establish a list of qualified candidates for the Senior Project Engineer position within the Solid Waste Division during the following six months.

About the Role:

This senior engineering role will be the technical lead responsible for technical expertise, quality assurance and control and problem solving for Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) from design to commissioning, Engineering Support to Operations for smaller projects, maintenance and daily operation, Project Management of non-CIP’s for the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill and engineering support to other groups and projects within the Solid Waste Division.

You do not need to be a Landfill expert to excel in this role. Our landfill engineers come with a variety of education and experience - some with gas collection and conveyance systems, some with wastewater collection, conveyance, and treatment systems, or even some with a civil, mechanical, and/or chemical engineering background. Many of our engineers enjoy this variety in their work. As landfill engineering is such a small field, our landfill engineers receive both on the job and classroom training to fill out any gaps in these many areas of application.

As an Engineer III in our organization, along with the above responsibilities, the individual in this position will provide guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and scientists, work closely with capital project managers and other engineers and scientists to foster highly functioning teams, and bring a positive attitude and energy to set a tone of excellence and continuous learning where all team members are valued.

About the Team:

The Facility Engineering and Science Section (FESS) plays a vital role in King County’s Solid Waste Division, driving major programs and projects with a focus on safety and environmental stewardship. This dynamic team includes experts in engineering, science, technology, and project management-delivering essential services to the county’s residents and businesses.

Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:

King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As an Engineer III, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity .

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Solid Waste Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits , and growth opportunities.

Job Duties

What You Will Be Doing:

• Lead the Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in the review and evaluation of consultant designs, plans, and specifications for landfill development, wastewater systems, and/or landfill gas systems. A number of horizontal civil construction projects and stormwater projects could be included in the portfolio of work for this position.
• Lead the preparation of consultant request for proposals, construction invitation to bid and other contract documents; participate in the consultant review and selection, bid or qualification process and assist in negotiation of final contracts.
• Working with Operations Section, direct the investigation and troubleshooting of engineering and system problems related to landfill operations, leachate collection, conveyance and operations, as well as landfill gas collection and conveyance systems and operations.
• Project management as well as project engineer for rehab projects from conception to implementation. Rehab projects are usually in the $500K to $1M range and completed within a two year window or less.
• Develop and implement engineering, feasibility and constructability studies and designs; make recommendations to management based on study results.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Bachelor of Science in either Engineering or physical science OR the equivalent combination of training and experience necessary to demonstrate working knowledge of and perform the tasks above.
• Working knowledge of Municipal Solid Waste Landfills Systems and Operations, or working knowledge of Wastewater Treatment Systems, or Gas Collection and Conveyance Systems or Complexed Civil or Environmental projects on active sites.
• An understanding of project management techniques and principles.
• An understanding of construction and project planning and scheduling.
• Experience with consultant and construction contracting.

• Ability to communicate technical information to a broad audience including but not limited to regulators, executive management, stakeholders and consultants.

Physical Requirements: This position requires bending, lifting, walking in adverse weather and environment, and other physical activities associated with field activities. This position may include working on uneven grades, slopes, surfaces, and slippery terrain in inclement weather and other adverse conditions such as darkness, dust, odor, high volume noise, heavy traffic, and working near construction and industrial activities/equipment.

Workplace Exposures: Workplace exposures may include physical, mechanical, thermal, or chemical hazards associated with working outdoors, working at solid waste facilities, and working around environmental control systems.

Competencies You Bring:

• Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Knowledge and or experience with one or more of the following:
  • leachate, contaminated stormwater or stormwater treatment or conveyance systems,
  • landfill gas to energy plant design,
  • environmental engineering involving MTCA or similar environmental remediation.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Remote and Onsite Work Details: Employees in this role work remotely from a home location, with onsite reporting requirements typically 3 days/week for dry weather season and 1-2 days/week for wet weather season. The frequency of onsite work is determined by business needs and may be adjusted accordingly. Onsite reporting locations is primarily at Cedar Hills Regional Landfill, 16445 228 th Ave SE, Maple Valley, 98038 and at various King County worksites including the collaboration space at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104).
• Remote Work Location Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements.
• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by PROTEC 17.

Application and Selection Process:

We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all background to apply.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Cover Letter

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Jemima.McMahon@kingcounty.gov .

Discover More About the Solid Waste Division: Visit our website at our website at Solid Waste Division and check us out at Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our webs­ite , explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook , X (formerly Twitter) , LinkedIn , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube and Keeping King County Green News .

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North" , we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities 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. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

Closing Date/Time: 9/24/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• King County Wastewater Treatment Division

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