Engineering Manager

Pierce County; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Pierce County is seeking a senior leader to head the Maintenance and Operations team for capital facilities planning and project management. You will supervise Civil Engineers, Environmental Biologists, Engineering Technicians, and staff, coordinating with divisions, jurisdictions, and vendors to deliver projects across roads, levees, airports, and related facilities.

You will develop project plans, manage cross-agency collaboration, and ensure timely delivery of maintenance and emergency repair

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or closely related field.
• PE license or ability to obtain within six months of employment.
• Eight years of progressively responsible civil engineering work experience and five+ years of supervisory/management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the capital facilities planning for county roads, levees, airports, and related facilities.
• Coordinate with divisions, municipalities, regulators, vendors, and maintenance teams.
• Develop and manage project plans, schedules, and resources; ensure regulatory compliance.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Civil engineering

Supervisory experience

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Professional Engineer license

Tools

Bluebeam

ArcGIS

Workday

Job description

Why It's a Great Opportunity:

In this newly developed position for the Maintenance and Operations team, you will be leading the team for capital facilities planning, design, coordination, and project management. Capital facilities will include county roads, levees, airports, and other facilities along with supporting work of the Surface Water Management Division. Your team of Civil Engineers, Environmental Biologists, Engineering Technicians, and support staff will be coordinating efforts with other divisions, municipalities, jurisdictions, regulatory agencies, contracting vendors, and maintenance teams. You will also focus on project development for maintenance, team development, response for flooding and weather incidents, and emergency repairs. Using Bluebeam, ArcGIS, Workday, and other relatable software, the work you do will ensure that County resources are developed and maintained effectively.

Why It's a Great Department:

PPW stewards a healthy and vibrant community by collaboratively planning and investing in our people, infrastructure, systems, and policies. PPW’s team has more than 800 members that collaborate, innovate and inspire in performing essential services to the community. The department is responsible for the County road and levee systems, sewer systems, airports, ferries, building permits, environmental review, sustainability, community planning, and code enforcement - just to name a few!
Learn more about Planning and Public Workshere.

How to be Successful in the Role:

Your success will come from utilizing your engineering skills but also from leading, training, and supporting your teams, customers, managers, and external stakeholders in efforts towards the Division’s goals and needs. Your experience with management of multiple projects, shifting priorities, and multitasking will further ensure your success.

Your Future in this Role:

You will have access to professional development through robust online learning and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success. This position has multiple career growth and promotional opportunities in Pierce County to build on a great career while directly impacting the communities in Pierce County.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Manage, supervise and coordinate activities of the unit; determine work procedures, prepare work schedules and determine methods for expediting workflow. Ensure consistent interpretation and application of laws, rules, policies and procedures.
• Manage special project assignments; consult with staff on issues pertinent to the effective functioning of the division.
• Manage the resources of several sections or a division through acceptable methods of planning, forecasting, review, feedback and control.
• Provide leadership and direction in the administration of operations; delegate authority to professional personnel commensurate with assigned responsibility; ensure proper performance.
• Train and educate staff on criteria and standards of section/division. Provide engineering guidance to staff and make engineering recommendations to County officials and other departments.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be foundhere.

• Eight years of progressively responsible work experience /or postsecondary education in the field of civil engineering OR
• Graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or closely related field AND
• Five or more years of supervisory or management experience is required.
• This position requires certification as a Professional Engineer by the State of Washington or the ability to obtain such registration within six months of employment.
• A resume and cover letter are required for this position.
• A valid driver’s license is required.

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Our Recruitment Practices:

This is a competitive and meritorious selection process. Pierce County applications are reviewed by human hiring staff in accordance with the qualifications listed for the position.

Pierce County understands applicants may use AI tools when preparing application materials. We recognize these tools can make the process easier; however, we ask that everything you submit genuinely reflects your own experience, skills, knowledge, and writing style.

During the interview process, you may be asked to demonstrate your skills, including writing and subject knowledge, and to speak to your experience in your own voice. Applicants should be prepared to respond to interview questions without relying on AI-generated responses or reading prepared answers from a screen. Any misrepresentation may result in disqualification or separation.

Applicants whose qualifications most closely align with the County’s needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status typically occurs within two to three weeks after the closing date. Some applicants may receive short notice to participate in additional selection steps, which may include assessments, phone screens, or interviews.

Upon offer, compensation is based on a range of job-related factors, including the requirements of the role, your skills and experience, and internal pay equity.

Our Welcoming Workplace Commitment:

Pierce County is committed to fostering a Welcoming Workplace where employees are supported, respected, and able to thrive. We believe a strong public workforce is representative of the community it serves and that fair and just access to opportunity strengthens public service.

Guided by the County Executive’s Forward Together mission, Pierce County works to build communities that are safe, welcoming, and connected. This same commitment shapes how we recruit, develop, and retain our employees. County employees make a direct and visible impact in the lives of residents every day, and we invite you to join us in helping keep Pierce County a place people are proud to call home.