Engineering Specialist, Principal (Construction)

Dakota County, Minnesota; Empire (MN); On-site; USD 74,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Dakota County in Empire, Minnesota seeks a Principal Engineering Specialist in the Transportation Department to lead county road, trail, and bridge projects. This role requires strong CAD skills, leadership, and the ability to manage state and federal aid projects according to plans and specifications.

Ideal candidates will have the education/experience listed, obtain MN DOT certifications within one year, and hold a valid driver license. It is a full-time position with field and office duties.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized or technical training beyond high school in Civil Engineering or Surveying AND 4 years of highway construction and/or survey related experience.
• Associate degree or two-year technical certificate in Civil Engineering, Land Surveying or Civil Engineering Technology or a closely related field AND 3 years of highway construction and/or survey related experience.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience specifically related to the highway construction and/or survey field to total 5 years.
• Valid Driver License

Responsibilities

• Lead project management of County road, trail, and bridge projects.
• Coordinate state and federal aid projects and ensure construction per plans and specifications.
• Proficient with CAD and problem solving to make independent decisions.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Education

Associate degree in Civil Engineering or related

Technical certificate in Civil Engineering Technology or related

Driver License

Tools

CAD

Job description

POSTING TYPE: Open competitive
DEPARTMENT: Transportation
HOURS: Full-time
PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $73,515- 91,894/year
FULL SALARY RANGE:$73,515- 114,868/year
LOCATION: Empire Transportation Shop
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on Friday, September 4, 2026

Dakota County offers rewarding career opportunities that make a real difference in people's lives. From maintaining roads to maintaining property records, protecting the environment to protecting our children's health, finding homes for those in need to finding justice for crime victims -- the work we do touches the lives of each of our residents every day. We're proud of what we do. You can be too. Join our team of nearly 2,000 staff and launch a career where you can truly "Be More".

The Principal Engineering Specialist

is an experienced lead worker in the Transportation Department responsible for the successful project management of County road, trail, and bridge projects. This position utilizes leadership, coordination, and strong communication skills to ensure that state and federal aid projects as well as locally funded projects are constructed according to plans and specifications.

Candidates must be proficient with Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) system problem solving and making independent decisions based on knowledge and expertise in CAD.

• • One year of specialized or technical training beyond high school in Civil Engineering or Surveying AND 4 years of specific highway construction and/or survey related experience.
• OR
• • Associate degree or two‑year technical certificate in Civil Engineering, Land Surveying or Civil Engineering Technology or a closely related field AND 3 years of specific highway construction and/or survey related experience.
• OR
• • An equivalent combination of education and experience specifically related to the highway construction and/or survey fieldto total 5 years.
• AND
• • Valid Driver License

Candidate must have the ability and interest to obtain the following within one year of hire

• • MNDOTTechnical Certifications: Level I Bituminous Street Inspector, Level I Concrete Field Inspector, Level I Grading and Base Inspector

Preferred Experience, Education & Licenses Beyond Minimum Qualifications

• • MNDOTTechnical Certification: Level II Concrete Field Inspector, Level II Grading and Base Inspector, Level II Bituminous Street Inspector
• • Technical experience with pavement management, database management, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Computer Aided Drafting (CAD).
• • Bridge Construction Inspector
• • Bridge Safety Inspection experience
• • Bachelor's Degree in Land Surveying, Civil Engineering Technology, or a closely related field.

Work Environment

5% inside during the winter months, 95% outside from early spring till early winter. Must be able to perform the following on an occasional to continuous basis; sitting, standing, walking, balancing, bending/stooping, turning/twisting, low-level position, reaching forward/overhead/low levels, firm/simple grasping, and continuous bending/twisting of the arms. Positions requires force/lifting 0 - 24 pounds on a constant basis, 25 - 34 pounds of force occasional, 35 to 50 pounds rare to occasional, anything above 50 pounds is rare and should be done as a team lift. Exposures may include, but are not limited to; changing weather conditions, uneven/rough/sloped walking conditions, roadway traffic and construction equipment on roads or constructions projects, dust, dirt, paint, solvents, cleaners, exhaust and noise. Driving is required for this position and staff must have the ability to use a variety of powered equipment including but not limited to: light and heavy equipment including hammer/maul, machete, hammer drills, chisels, pavement grinder, post-hole digger, survey/GPS equipment, compressor, personal computer, printers, telephone,