Principal Engineer

American Water Works Association; Bend (OR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Bend seeks an experienced Principal Engineer to lead the Water and Stormwater Team, directing planning, design, and delivery of capital projects that improve treatment, storage, and distribution systems.

The role focuses on technical leadership, staff mentorship, and guiding partnerships with consultants, regulators, and the community to ensure safe, reliable infrastructure and long-term value.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or closely related field.
• 6–8 years progressive engineering experience.
• 2–3 years supervisory or people management experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for water and stormwater capital projects.
• Oversee planning, design, and delivery of treatment, storage, transmission, and distribution systems.
• Collaborate with staff, consultants, regulators, and stakeholders to ensure safe, efficient projects.

Skills

Leadership

Public-sector experience

Water resources knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Master's degree in Civil Engineering (preferred)

Job description

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

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.