Engineering Specialist, Principal (Construction)

Dakota County; Rosemount (MN); On-site; USD 74,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Work-life balance

Paid time off

11 paid holidays

Pension plan

Option to work from home

Job summary

Dakota County’s Empire Transportation Shop seeks an experienced Principal Engineering Specialist to lead road, trail, and bridge projects. The role requires CAD proficiency, project management, and strong communication to ensure state and local projects meet plans and specifications.

Ideal candidates bring deep Civil Engineering or Surveying knowledge, MnDOT certification readiness, and a track record of coordinating engineers, survey staff, and construction teams on complex infrastructure

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or higher in Civil Engineering or related field; valid driver license.
• Within one year, ability to obtain MnDOT certifications: Level I Bituminous Street Inspector, Level I Concrete Field Inspector, Level I Grading and Base Inspector.
• Within one year, ability to obtain: Level II Concrete Field Inspector, Level II Grading and Base Inspector, Level II Bituminous Street Inspector.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience related to highway construction/survey field (total 5 years).
• Proficiency with CAD and ability to interpret plans, record field notes, and manage projects.

Responsibilities

• Serve as project manager on county road, trail, and bridge construction projects.
• Oversee progress and construction methods to ensure specifications; communicate and resolve contract issues.
• Interpret construction plans and calculate field notes; coordinate with staff to resolve field issues.
• Provide technical leadership and assist staff; manage processes and supervise junior team members.

Skills

CAD proficiency

Project management

Communication skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or related field

Associate degree in Civil Engineering Technology or related field

Tools

CAD

GIS

Data management systems

Job description

General 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.
• 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.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience specifically related to the highway construction and/or survey field to total 5 years.
• Valid Driver License
• Candidate must have the ability and interest to obtain the following within one year of hire:
• MNDOT Technical Certifications: Level I Bituminous Street Inspector, Level I Concrete Field Inspector, Level I Grading and Base Inspector
• MNDOT Technical 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.

Pursuant to Dakota County Policy and Procedures Manual Section 3102 (L), this position is designated as Safety Sensitive.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as project manager on county road, trail and bridge construction projects.
• Manage and oversee the progress and construction methods to ensure projects meet specifications; communicate and resolve construction contract problems.
• Interpret construction plans and calculate necessary field notes. Work with Construction staff to resolve field issues.
• Provide technical leadership and assistance to department staff; perform paraprofessional duties and manage processes.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Duties 1-4 are essential functions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment

• Extensive knowledge of Civil Engineering and Surveying practices & principles.
• Knowledge of personal computers, project management, design software, and field survey equipment.
• Knowledge of engineering nomenclature, plans, records, maps, and computer aided drafting (CAD).
• Knowledge of advanced mathematics and its application to field surveying and engineering computations.
• Ability to keep excellent records
• Strong ability to effectively communicate orally and written
• Ability to lead, manage, and mentor subordinates and coordinates the work activities of a project including mentoring interns.
• Ability to work long hours on short notice to meet the demands of construction activities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional relationships with staff, public, contractors, agency staff and other professionals.
• MnDOT Technical Certifications: Bituminous Street Inspector, Concrete Field Inspector Level I & II, Grading and Base Inspector Level I & II, and Bridge Construction Inspector.
• Ability to work independently to complete a project in an accurate and proficient manner and see the project through to completion.
• Strong problem-solving skills, both in the field and office as they arise.
• Familiar with MnDOT Contract Administration Manual in documenting project paperwork

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, cellular phone, calculator, copy machine, video equipment, and personal safety equipment.

Location & Schedule

This is an in-person position at our Transportation Maintenance Facility in Empire, MN. Work is performed Monday through Friday during regular hours for the positions are 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; overtime and other shift hours will be required as weather conditions and seasonal construction projects demand.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
• Eleven paid holidays each year and one floating holiday
• Pension with a generous employer contribution
• Ability to work from home some of the time

Selection Process

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct background and reference checks before hiring