In the Washington State Department of Transportation, Bridge and Structures Office or Washington State Ferries is a registered professional engineer in the branch of mechanical, electrical, civil or structural engineering.

AND

Meets one of the following:

• Performs intricate structural design for complex structures (such as, curved steel plate girder bridges, segmental bridges, floating bridges or for major bridge rehabilitation or retrofit);

• Performs as a project manager for a complex, large, or multiple bridge project;

• Performs as a Senior Lead Inspector;

• Performs as a Lead Mechanical or Electrical Engineer/Inspector

• Supervises at least two bridge engineers in a specialty unit (such as Bridge Construction Support, or Seismic Retrofit) within the Bridge Design Section;

• Performs as a bridge design program manager;

• Develops and documents structural design computer software;

• Administers, writes and negotiates contracts for Bridge and Structures Office consultants

• Prepares specifications, cost estimates, and construction working day schedules for complex structure AND either maintains current bridge cost estimate data OR library of structural standard specifications and Statewide General Special Provisions.

Bridge Engineer 5’s are distinguished from Bridge Engineer 4’s by the responsibility Bridge Engineer 5’s have for bridge program management or design of complex bridges and structures a majority of the time. Bridge Engineer 5’s have the ability to assume the responsibility for the entire range of technical bridge engineering functions, for all types of bridges and for the design of other related structures.

As a program manager positions are responsible for the administration of a statewide design program, serve as a statewide expert consultant to regional and headquarters staff, and prioritize projects statewide.

Performs inspections of the Fracture Critical elements of structures construct of fatigue prone metals; such as steel and aluminum;

Accumulates data to evaluate the structural adequacy of the facilities by performing non-destructive ultrasonic, magnetic particle and dye penetrant tests when required to identify structural deficiencies;

Reviews results of consultant inspections of special bridge items; develops scope of work for consultant specialty inspections;

Investigates structures damaged by collision and recommends required repairs; oversees actual repairs and performs other specialized duties in connection with inspection of existing structures and evaluation of their condition, load carrying capacity, and life expectancy;

Directs the work of others engaged in bridge inspection, and in computations regarding the load carrying capacity and rating of existing bridges;

Prepares contract plans for major bridge repair work;

Responsible for the completion of the in-service bridge inspections in conformance with FHWA and WSDOT requirements and procedures;

As Senior Lead Electrical/Mechanical Inspector: Performs in-depth, routine and special electrical and mechanical inspections of the state’s movable bridges and other special structures; prepares electrical and mechanical inspection reports, recommending maintenance activities and rehabilitation projects with associated cost estimates, prepares plans, specifications and engineering packages for the rehabilitation of the electrical and mechanical systems on the state’s movable bridges and other special structures; prepares cost estimates and scopes of work for submittal to Program Management for programming future electrical and mechanical repair and rehabilitation;

Coordinates and monitors the review and approval process for construction questions and shop plans for steel, wood and concrete structures with the Bridge Technical Advisors, designers and specialists in the structural design units, Construction Office, Materials Lab and Railroads;

Supervises the update and filing of as-built design plans for WSDOT Bridge and Structures;

Prepares specifications, cost estimates, and construction working day schedules, or reviews those prepared by consultant or local agencies for all types of transportation structures;

Reviews, revises, and manages the library of bridge special provisions, and structural standard specifications and GSP’s;

Performs structural analysis and design of complex level transportation structures;

Serves as a design coordinator for a design project with multiple transportation structures;

Negotiates and manages contracts, including payment and performance evaluation, with outside engineering consultant firms for performing structural design and bridge inspection services;

Develops computer programs and software for use in structural design;

Designs and checks designs of reinforced concrete and steel bridges, tunnels, dams, and other miscellaneous structures for and in connection with highway projects;

Designs and checks designs for railway structures when required in connection with highway-railway grade separation projects;

Designs all types of moveable bridges including bascule, lift, and swing bridges to meet navigation requirements;

Performs other work as required.

Knowledge of: Bridge engineering codes such as AASHTO and AISC and bridge engineering software; advanced engineering principles in the discipline of civil, structural, mechanical or electrical; bridge design concepts.

Ability to: Manage projects; train junior engineers; prepare design calculations and plans for complex bridge projects.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

A Bachelor of Science degree involving major study in civil, mechanical or electrical engineering, plus one year experience as a Bridge Engineer 4 or equivalent.

AND

Registration as a professional engineer in the branch of structural, mechanical or electrical engineering in the state of Washington or another state, based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington, or equivalent

OR

A minimum of 10 years experience as a Bridge Engineer 4, or equivalent

OR

For Senior Lead Inspector:

• Registration as a professional engineer in the branch of civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering in the state of Washington or another state, based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington and two years experience as a Lead Inspector at a Bridge Engineer 4 level or equivalent.

For Lead Mechanical or Electrical Engineer/Inspector:

• Registration as a professional engineer in the branch of civil, mechanical or electrical engineering in the state of Washington or another state, based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington and two years minimum mechanical or electrical experience at the Bridge Engineer 4 level or equivalent.

Equivalent education/experience.

Notes:

• Selective certification may be authorized for a mechanical, or electrical license as required.
• Applicants qualifying through the licensing equivalency option must achieve professional registration through reciprocity as an engineer in the branch of civil, structural, mechanical or electrical engineering in the state of Washington within six months of appointment to this class.
• Possession of a valid driver's license may be required.

Revised minimum qualifications: 10-1-69
Revised distinguishing characteristics, minimum qualifications, class code change (formerly 6653) and title change (formerly Senior Associate Bridge Engineer): 11-13-81
Revised minimum qualifications: 8-15-86
Revised minimum qualifications: 11-15-91
Revised minimum qualifications: 10-15-99
Revised definition, distinguishing characteristics, minimum qualifications, title change (formerly Bridge Engineer 5, Senior Structural), and general revision: 11-09-01
New class code: (formerly 66440) effective July 1, 2007.
Base range salary adjustment adopted 6/13/2019, effective 7/1/2019.

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.