Principal Engineer

City of Bend; Bend (OR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Bend is seeking a Principal Engineer to lead the Water and Stormwater Team within the Engineering Department. This full-time, exempt role oversees planning, design, and delivery of critical water infrastructure projects required for Bend’s growth and reliability.

The successful candidate will provide technical leadership, manage staff and consultants, and coordinate with regulators and stakeholders to deliver projects safely and efficiently while delivering long-term community value.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or closely related field.
• Six (6) to eight (8) years of progressively responsible engineering experience.
• Two (2) to three (3) years of supervisory or people management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, design, and delivery of water and stormwater infrastructure capital improvement projects.
• Manage a portfolio of projects from early concept development through construction completion.
• Supervise, mentor, and support the professional growth of engineering staff and project team members.
• Coordinate with Water Services staff, consultants, contractors, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, scopes, risks, and performance outcomes.
• Review engineering plans, technical reports, specifications, and contract documents.
• Present project information, recommendations, and updates to City leadership, City Council, advisory groups, and the public.
• Oversee consultant selection, contract administration, procurement activities, and construction administration.
• Help establish infrastructure priorities and support long-range capital planning efforts.
• Respond to public inquiries and assist in resolving project-related concerns.

Skills

Civil Engineering

Leadership

Project Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Job description

The City of Bend is accepting applications for one (1) regular, full-time Principal Engineer in the Engineering Department. This is a salaried, exempt, non-represented position. The City may use this recruitment to establish an eligibility list for current or future vacancies. Please review the entire job posting, including the application requirements at the end.

The City of Bend is seeking an experienced and collaborative Principal Engineer to lead the Engineering Department's Water and Stormwater Team and help deliver critical infrastructure projects that support one of Oregon's fastest-growing communities. In this role, you will provide technical leadership and strategic oversight for the planning, design, and delivery of water and stormwater capital improvement projects, including treatment, storage, transmission, distribution, and related infrastructure improvements. You will work closely with Water Services staff, operations personnel, consultants, contractors, regulators, and community stakeholders to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and with long-term community value.

This is an exciting opportunity to assume leadership of an established engineering team and influence major investments in Bend's water and stormwater infrastructure. The successful candidate will oversee a diverse portfolio of capital projects, guide engineering staff, manage consultant partnerships, and help shape infrastructure strategies that support system reliability, regulatory compliance, operational resilience, and future growth. The position offers meaningful opportunities to solve complex technical challenges while contributing to the City's long-range planning efforts.

The Principal Engineer plays an important role in connecting engineering solutions with community priorities. Candidates who are energized by public service, enjoy mentoring staff, and are motivated by delivering high-impact infrastructure projects will find significant opportunities to make a lasting contribution to the City of Bend and its residents.

Classification Framework

Principal Engineer

The following duties are a sample of major duties performed in this role and are not intended to be an exhaustive list.

• Lead the planning, design, and delivery of water and stormwater infrastructure capital improvement projects.
• Manage a portfolio of projects from early concept development through construction completion.
• Supervise, mentor, and support the professional growth of engineering staff and project team members.
• Coordinate with Water Services staff, consultants, contractors, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, scopes, risks, and performance outcomes.
• Review engineering plans, technical reports, specifications, and contract documents.
• Present project information, recommendations, and updates to City leadership, City Council, advisory groups, and the public.
• Oversee consultant selection, contract administration, procurement activities, and construction administration.
• Help establish infrastructure priorities and support long-range capital planning efforts.
• Respond to public inquiries and assist in resolving project-related concerns.

We're looking for someone who is a collaborative and approachable leader, thrives in a team environment, and enjoys developing others. The ideal candidate can balance competing priorities, effectively communicate complex technical information to diverse audiences, and build trusted relationships with colleagues, consultants, regulators, and community members. They are adaptable, solutions-focused, and motivated by serving the public through meaningful infrastructure investments.

Highly qualified candidates will bring advanced knowledge of civil and water utility engineering practices, capital project delivery, construction management, consultant and contract administration, budgeting, regulatory compliance, and public-sector project management. Candidates should also demonstrate strong communication, stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and leadership skills.

Candidates who meet the listed minimum qualifications, including an equivalent combination of education and experience, will be considered for an interview. Please ensure your application includes information about your education, relevant paid and unpaid work experience, and applicable licenses and certifications. Avoid referencing your resume in the job duties section of the application.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related field; and
• Six (6) to eight (8) years of progressively responsible engineering experience; and
• Two (2) to three (3) years of supervisory or people management experience; or
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position.

Required Licenses & Certifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license in Oregon, or ability to obtain Oregon licensure within six (6) months of appointment.
• Valid driver's license meeting City of Bend driving standards.

Desired (but Not Required) Attributes

• Experience managing municipal water and stormwater utility capital improvement projects.
• Experience leading engineering teams in a public-sector environment.
• Experience with water treatment, storage, transmission, and distribution systems.
• Demonstrated success managing multiple large-scale capital projects simultaneously.
• Oregon PE license at time of application.
• Master's degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources, Engineering Management, or a related field.
• PMP certification or similar project management credential.
• Experience presenting to elected officials, governing boards, or advisory committees.

Veterans' Preference

Applicants seeking Veterans’ Preference as a qualified veteran or disabled veteran must attach appropriate documentation to their application. For more information click here.

Equity Statement

The City of Bend remains committed to building a workforce that advances diversity and inclusion within our community and all we do. We recognize that not everyone starts from the same place, and that gender, race, ability, sexual orientation, and other identities face different barriers. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are dedicated to creating an inclusive, safe, and respectful workplace where employees can thrive without these barriers. A more extended version of the City of Bend’s Organizational Equity Statement is available upon request.

Benefits

The City of Bend offers an excellent competitive benefits package for Employees and Dependents for health and dental coverage, retirement benefits, and a robust paid leave program. Details are available on the benefits tab of the job posting.

Starting Compensation

Starting compensation is determined based on a pay equity analysis considering the candidate’s education, applicable work experience, and internal equity. Please include all relevant information on your application.