Principal Engineer

Chesterfield County; Virginia; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Chesterfield County is seeking a licensed professional engineer to lead utilities planning and project execution within the Department of Utilities. The role focuses on water distribution and wastewater systems, coordination with multiple county offices, and oversight of design, cost estimates, and contracts.

The candidate should have a PE license preferred, five years of engineering experience, and at least one year in supervision, with strong communication skills and the ability to work with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or closely related field required.
• Five years of progressively responsible professional engineering experience.
• One year of supervisory experience preferred or equivalent.
• Possession of a PE license preferred.

Responsibilities

• Represent the county as part of a project team to manage utilities impacts from land development proposals.
• Evaluate and recommend improvements to water distribution and wastewater systems using engineering analysis.
• Prepare and review monthly reports, drawings, specifications, cost estimates, and contracts.
• Interact with the public and coordinate with other agencies, firms, and customers.
• Host or attend meetings and presentations related to design and construction of water/wastewater systems.
• Supervise a team of engineers and engineering staff to meet department goals.
• Perform other work as required.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Oral & written communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Job description

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in engineering or a closely related field; five years of increasingly responsible experience in professional engineering; one year of supervisory experience preferred; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Additional Requirements

Possession of a Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.

Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of water and wastewater engineering; of pertinent federal, state and local laws and regulations; of engineering project management methods and techniques. Ability to supervise the preparation of engineering design plans, specifications and cost estimates; to communicate effectively orally and in writing; to operate a personal computer and related software and other standard office equipment; to develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers; to supervise subordinate engineers.

Pre-employment drug testing, FBI criminal background check and education/degree verification required.

Duties

• Represent the county as part of a project team to manage impacts to the utilities systems associated with land development proposals in close coordination with the county’s Economic Development, Planning, Environmental Engineering, CDOT, and Building Inspector’s Office.
• Evaluate and make recommendations for improvement to the water distribution and wastewater collection systems using engineering analysis, field data, and standard engineering practices.
• Prepare and review monthly reports, drawings, specifications, cost estimates, and contracts.
• Interact with the public and collaborate with other agencies, consulting firms, internal and external customers.
• Host or attend meetings and presentations with diverse groups of internal and external customers pertaining to the design and construction of the public water and wastewater systems.
• Supervise a team of senior engineers and senior engineering assistant providing the training, guidance, and responsibility for reaching the departments goals and expectations for project completion.
• Perform other work as required

Position is open until filled (first review to begin September 7, 2026).

Shift

Monday - Friday; 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Work Location

Utilities

Chesterfield County is an Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Summary

For information on county benefits, view Employee Benefits Summary.