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Sound Transit Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Sound Transit information

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How much do sound transit jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for sound transit in the United States is $19.78, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.59 and $20.67 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Sound Transit employee, and why are they important?

To excel at Sound Transit, you generally need a background in transportation, engineering, project management, or public administration, often supported by a relevant degree or certification. Familiarity with transit planning software, safety systems, and project management tools such as Microsoft Project is typically required. Strong communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills are essential for collaborating with diverse stakeholders and addressing community needs. These skills and qualifications ensure effective project delivery, safe operations, and positive public engagement in the region's transit initiatives.

What are the typical opportunities for career advancement at Sound Transit?

Sound Transit offers a variety of career advancement opportunities for professionals across departments such as engineering, project management, operations, and administration. Employees often start in entry-level or mid-level roles and can progress to senior or management positions through internal training programs, mentorship, and on-the-job experience. The organization encourages professional development and frequently posts internal job openings, allowing staff to explore new roles or specialties. Additionally, employees benefit from working on high-impact projects that can enhance their skillsets and visibility within the agency.

What is Sound Transit and what does it do?

Sound Transit is the regional transit agency serving the greater Seattle area, including King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties in Washington State. It plans, builds, and operates public transportation services such as light rail, commuter rail, and express bus routes. The agency aims to provide efficient and environmentally friendly transportation alternatives to reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility. Sound Transit is responsible for expanding and maintaining the region's transit infrastructure through major projects funded by local taxes, grants, and federal assistance.

What is the difference between Sound Transit vs Bus Driver?

AspectSound TransitBus Driver
Required CredentialsCommercial Driver's License (CDL), passenger endorsementCDL, passenger endorsement
Work EnvironmentPublic transit systems, fixed routes, urban areasOn-road, city streets, various routes
Employer & IndustryPublic transportation agencies, transit authoritiesPrivate or public transit companies, local transit agencies

Both Sound Transit and Bus Drivers require a CDL with passenger endorsement and work in urban transit environments. While Sound Transit operates regional transit services, Bus Drivers typically work for local transit agencies. The main difference lies in their scope: Sound Transit focuses on regional transit, whereas Bus Drivers serve city or local routes.

More about Sound Transit jobs
What cities are hiring for Sound Transit jobs? Cities with the most Sound Transit job openings:
What states have the most Sound Transit jobs? States with the most job openings for Sound Transit jobs include:
Infographic showing various Sound Transit job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 20% Full Time, 78% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,141 per year, or $19.8 per hour.
Design Manager-Transit Facilities (Ballard Link Extension) (Term-Limited)

Design Manager-Transit Facilities (Ballard Link Extension) (Term-Limited)

Sound Transit

Seattle, WA โ€ข On-site

$104K - $206K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

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: 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 โ€“ 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b โ€“ 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, youโ€™ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

This is a term-limited position of 5 years.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general management of the Capital Delivery Department and reports to the Design Director while leading, managing and coordinating the delivery of design elements of buildings, stations, and other light rail, heavy passenger rail projects or bus projects within the Capital Delivery Department. This leadership role requires providing oversight of and instruction to design consultant teams and close coordination with third parties alongside the Sound Transit Operations, Engineering, Architecture, Urban Design, Planning, Transit-Oriented Development, Sustainability, Safety, and Quality Staff. The primary function of this role ensures delivery of value and quality of design to fulfill the agencyโ€™s mission.

This is one of two Design Manager positions for the Ballard Link Extension Project. This position focuses on managing the station design of high-capacity tunneled stations, alongside one elevated station, one retained cut station, and related facilities.

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.

  • Leads a technical team of subject matter experts and inspires creativity to solve design problems during preliminary engineering, final design, or construction phases.
  • Supervises, coaches, trains and motivates staff
  • Supports work force planning efforts for the project.
  • Manages multiple smaller scale transit related designs including, architectural, civil, traffic, track, structural, geotechnical, landscaping, ventilation, station electrical, lighting, transit-oriented development, and urban design efforts, managing work teams and coordinating between work efforts of multiple design teams and multiple engineering subject matter experts.
  • Provides cross departmental program, design and requirements coordination with Operations, Passenger Experience, the Project Management Office, and IT.
  • Administration and management of design consultant contracts, including developing scopes of work for professional services, peer reviews, design reviews, contract packaging, schedules, budgets, construction support, and risk assessments.
  • Accountable for technical resolution of milestone design submission comments through collaboration with project design teams and stakeholders
  • Supports the development, negotiation of agreements, and permits with third parties, including state and local agencies, utilities, and private property owners, as required for the delivery of the projects.
  • Accountable for design support during construction including design contract management, recommendation of error and omissions, resolution of non-conformance issues related to design, and change management of design-related issues.
  • Provides support to the department/division and others on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of internal boards, commissions, and committees.
  • Prepares staff reports and other necessary correspondence to Sound Transit leadership including Board and Executive leadership.
  • 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
  • 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, 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 Transitโ€™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 Architecture, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field. Five years of experience in large scale project 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 or Professional Architect license issued by the State of Washington.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

  • Advanced understanding of principles and practices of managing profession design services and project design development.
  • Strong knowledge of application of Federal, State, and local policies, laws and codes and regulations.
  • Advanced knowledge of principles of project management.
  • Operations, services, and activities of transit engineering, site civil and construction programs.
  • Obtaining design consulting services and contracting methods including developing scopes of work, reports, studies, cost estimates, plans, and specifications.
  • Contract and procurement strategies and alternative contract forms such as GCCM/design-build and associated management principles.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills to concisely and accurately convey technical information to others.
  • Strong public speaking skills and the ability to represent the Agency at public meetings and Sound Transit Executive Leadership and Board meetings.
  • Supervisory and team leadership skills.
  • Performing negotiations and partnering with local jurisdictions and agencies, utilities, contractors, and community groups.
  • Preparing, reviewing, interpreting, analyzing, and modifying complex engineering plans, drawings, specifications, contract documents, and engineering reports for conformance to professional standards and approved budgets.
  • Applying advanced project management and contract management techniques and principles.
  • Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.
  • Excellent ability to collaborate with others by establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
  • Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
  • Ability to work independently and demonstrate effective time management skills.
  • Ability to effectively manage, prioritize, and delegate workload among assigned resources.
  • Ability to work effectively under pressure, meeting 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.