Principal Engineer

Wood Rodgers, Inc.; Orange (CA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 162,000; Full time

Job summary

Wood Rodgers, Inc. in Orange, CA is seeking a Principal Engineer to establish and grow our Southern California land development presence. You will lead client development, strategic growth, and market expansion while building a high‑performing local team.

You will work with multidisciplinary teams to deliver projects, manage client relationships, and guide opportunities from pursuit to delivery, with ownership of profitability and risk management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field and active California Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Extensive leadership experience in Southern California land development with a strong network and proven ability to develop clients, win work, and drive market growth.
• Deep understanding of the Southern California development process, including entitlements, agency approvals, infrastructure, permitting, and project delivery.
• Demonstrated success leading complex land development projects, managing business performance, and converting opportunities into profitable assignments.
• Proven ability to recruit, mentor, and lead high-performing teams while building long-term client relationships.
• Strong business acumen, negotiation, communication, and relationship-management skills, combined with an entrepreneurial mindset and collaborative leadership style.

Responsibilities

• Lead the growth of Wood Rodgers’ Southern California land development practice through strategic business development, client engagement, and market expansion.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with developers, homebuilders, public agencies, institutions, and other key clients to secure new project opportunities.
• Direct project pursuits, including proposal development, scope and fee preparation, contract negotiations, and client presentations.
• Collaborate with company leadership and multidisciplinary teams to identify market opportunities, deliver exceptional client service, and expand Wood Rodgers’ presence in the region.
• Provide executive oversight of project delivery, ensuring quality, profitability, client satisfaction, and effective risk management.
• Recruit, mentor, and build a high-performing local team while representing Wood Rodgers within the industry and broader community.

Skills

Leadership

Business development

Client relationships

Market growth

Entrepreneurship

Negotiation

Communication

Team building

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field

Job description

Compensation: $129,200 - $161,500 / year

Department: Land Development

Location: Orange, CA

Compensation: $129,200 - $161,500 / year

Description

Are you a proven land development leader with strong client relationships, business development expertise, and an entrepreneurial mindset to build and lead a new market? Wood Rodgers is seeking a respected industry professional to establish and grow our Southern California land development presence. Leveraging the support of our established multidisciplinary teams, you will focus on client development, strategic growth, project pursuits, and building a high-performing local team to drive long-term success in the market.

This is a Principal, salary, exempt position.

A day in the life as a Wood Rodgers' Principal Engineer

• Lead the growth of Wood Rodgers’ Southern California land development practice through strategic business development, client engagement, and market expansion.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with developers, homebuilders, public agencies, institutions, and other key clients to secure new project opportunities.
• Direct project pursuits, including proposal development, scope and fee preparation, contract negotiations, and client presentations.
• Collaborate with company leadership and multidisciplinary teams to identify market opportunities, deliver exceptional client service, and expand Wood Rodgers’ presence in the region.
• Provide executive oversight of project delivery, ensuring quality, profitability, client satisfaction, and effective risk management.
• Recruit, mentor, and build a high-performing local team while representing Wood Rodgers within the industry and broader community.

This unique opportunity allows you to build and lead a Southern California land development practice while leveraging the resources, reputation, and multidisciplinary expertise of an established firm. You'll have significant influence over market strategy, client development, and team growth, supported by experienced technical professionals, project delivery resources, and corporate infrastructure. Success will be measured by your ability to establish Wood Rodgers as a trusted market leader, develop a strong pipeline of opportunities, secure profitable work, deliver exceptional client service, and build a sustainable, high-performing team and practice.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field and active California Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Extensive leadership experience in Southern California land development with a strong network and proven ability to develop clients, win work, and drive market growth.
• Deep understanding of the Southern California development process, including entitlements, agency approvals, infrastructure, permitting, and project delivery.
• Demonstrated success leading complex land development projects, managing business performance, and converting opportunities into profitable assignments.
• Proven ability to recruit, mentor, and lead high-performing teams while building long-term client relationships.
• Strong business acumen, negotiation, communication, and relationship-management skills, combined with an entrepreneurial mindset and collaborative leadership style.

A note on salary pay ranges

The range does not reflect geographic variations and may fluctuate above or below the stated amount. Offers will be based on several factors, including experience, education, skills, licensure, certifications, training, and location. Base pay is just one part of the comprehensive compensation package offered by Wood Rodgers. If you feel you meet the requirements but may be outside of the pay range, please apply anyway and let’s talk through it.

How we elevate your game

• A Unique Culture: An engineering firm that doesn’t feel like one. We are inventors that ask, “why not?” with leadership that empowers employees to grow, challenge convention, and develop creative solutions. We throw big parties, get random days off, and constantly are shown how the company reinvests in our employees rather than corporate bottom-lines. These all help build a great culture, but at the core are great people; people who want to learn, teach, help, and collaborate.
• Teamwork: experience what being a part of the Wood Rodgers family feels like. Be inspired by your leaders, be encouraged and cheered on by your teammates to live a big life, personally and professionally while you work with us. Visit our website to get a feel or check us out on social media @woodrodgersinc!
• Learning + Development: take on leadership development programs and goal setting to create big possibilities for your career and life. Develop within the company; be mentored and grow to your potential as a leader from the minute you’re hired.