Principal Engineer 2026-01863

State of Wyoming; Sundance (WY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hiring bonus $2,000

Health, dental, vision insurance

Paid vacation, sick leave, FMLA and 11

Retirement – Pension and 457B plans

Flexible schedules

Job summary

Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) seeks a Principal Engineer for the Construction Program in Sundance, WY. This role oversees highway construction, contract administration, and project records from design to finalization, coordinating with multiple agencies and stakeholders to deliver quality projects on time and on budget.

The position leads a team of technicians and engineers, negotiates agreements, and ensures compliance with state and federal requirements, including budgets and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required at time of hire; Wyoming PE within one year.
• 2–4 years of progressive engineering experience at the Project Engineer level.

Responsibilities

• Document project quantities and payments.
• Negotiate and secure landowner, agency, and consultant agreements.
• Coordinate with DEQ, BLM, USFS and other agencies on projects.
• Develop consensus among city, county, state, federal representatives and the public.
• Generate plans, summaries, and estimates for maintenance projects.
• Review, approve or reject submittals and change orders.
• Provide training to subordinates and manage staffing and budgets.
• Supervise field inspections, testing, and quality control to meet plans and specs.

Skills

Engineering fundamentals

Project management

Communication

Leadership

Budgeting

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Job description

Principal Engineer

The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) seeks a Principal Engineer for our Construction Program located in Sundance, Wyoming. This position is responsible for all aspects of highway construction and contract administration from design through construction and project record finalization, including reconstruction and maintenance projects for bridges, interstate highways, state highways, county roads, city streets, and public buildings. It will manage and train a crew of technicians and engineers assisting with project design and contract administration; work closely with Federal, State, County, and City personnel as well as various utility companies, landowners, and the public through all phases of the projects; and apply professional engineering practices to deliver quality projects that are completed timely and within budget without claims or accidents.

Location: Sundance, Wyoming – a quiet town that comes alive with summer traffic to Devil’s Tower and the Sturgis Bike Rally.

Core Responsibilities

• Responsible for documentation of project quantities and payment.
• Responsible for negotiating and securing agreements with landowners, government agencies, and consultants.
• Responsible for meeting the requirements of DEQ, BLM, USFS, and other agencies on projects.
• Coordinate and develop consensus among representatives of the city, county, federal, and the department, and the general public and special interest groups to address project impacts and effects at the design and construction level.
• Research, locate, and negotiate materials, survey, water, and plant site agreements with private landowners, businesses, and government agencies.
• Generate special provisions for all projects to address issues unique to each project.
• Initiate and monitor consultant agreements and progress to provide various surveying and engineering services.
• Generate plans, summaries, and estimates for maintenance projects.
• Resolve and recommend a resolution of contractor disputes and claims.
• Review, generate, and negotiate change orders.
• Provide fundamental and supplemental training to subordinates.
• Responsible for determining equipment, workforce needs, and budget requirements.
• Manages, coordinates, and organizes field inspections, surveys, laboratory testing, material analysis, and quality control to ensure the project is constructed in accordance with plans and specifications.
• Prepares technical engineering studies and/or summaries for a variety of projects.
• Responsible for the development of plans and documents.
• Responsible for determining equipment & workforce needs & budget requirements.
• Assures projects are completed in accordance with plans, specifications, and design criteria.
• Responsible for engineering recommendations and summaries for a variety of projects.
• Reviews and approves or rejects submittals.
• Ensures the work activities of the engineering staff meet project technical and policy requirements, state statutes, and federal regulations.
• Performs feasibility analysis to ensure cost‑effective solutions.
• Coordinates with other programs, agencies, or outside entities; participates in value engineering studies and public meetings.
• Provides responses as the result of claims, lawsuits, or other public record requests.
• Prepares and coordinates budget recommendations.
• Conducts performance appraisals, makes hiring and firing recommendations, and conducts disciplinary actions.
• Train, develop, and mentor staff.
• Advises senior leaders regarding design and project budgets, design and schedules, and contracts.
• Develops and implements standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the engineering section.
• Participates in selection panels of architects, engineers, and contractors.
• Confers with the staff of agencies in other states or other government levels regarding joint actions taken or to be taken, or in exchange for vital or useful information; develops, reviews, and makes adjustments in a long‑range plan for agency (or major program) goals.
• Review blueprints, design plans, and specifications for technical merit and owner intent on all projects and quality control, functionality, readability, sustainability, and construction flow.
• Develops cost estimates for future projects to include design and construction costs; Advises senior leaders on the acquisition of engineering‑specific software, hardware, equipment, and materials.
• Affix the PE stamp to the work completed.

Knowledge & Qualifications

• Knowledge of engineering fundamentals relating to highway geometrics, hydraulic design, soil engineering, and construction practices.
• Knowledge of legal aspects of supervision, hiring, and firing.
• Skilled in preparing and delivering technical training and presentations.
• Able to communicate effectively through verbal and written means to relate specific concepts and ideas to outside agencies, public partners, and provide direction to engineers and technicians.
• Able to effectively plan, organize, oversee, and monitor work schedules and projects.
• Able to give attention and work under pressure.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering.

Experience: 2–4 years of progressive work experience in Engineering with acquired knowledge at the level of a Project Engineer.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Professional Engineer’s (PE) License Required at time of hire – Wyoming PE required within one year of hire date.

Special Requirements & Eligibility

• FLSA: Exempt.
• The Wyoming Department of Transportation is a Drug‑Free Workplace.
• E‑Verify: WYDOT uses E‑Verify, an Internet‑based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.
• Position will supervise construction located in Sundance, Wyoming.
• Successful candidates may be eligible for moving expense reimbursement.
• Qualifying eligibility and criteria for the hiring bonus: Temporary employees accepting a full‑time position; Current employees accepting a promotional opportunity—recruitment must have been opened to the public; One year of service to WYDOT must be completed (failure to complete this requirement will forfeit the hiring incentive, and funds will be recouped from final pay); Internal candidates would be required to remain in the position for a minimum of one (1) year from their promotion date; Employees would only be eligible for one (1) hiring bonus in a 12‑month period; If the employee elects to downgrade through an active recruitment and/or appointment during the twelve (12) month period, they would be required to pay the bonus back.

Hiring Bonus

**$2,000 Hiring Bonus** – See notes for eligibility.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, FMLA, and holidays
• Retirement – Pension and 457B plans that help you build a secure future
• Flexible schedules and work‑life balance options
• Meaningful work that makes a difference for Wyoming communities
• and MUCH MORE!

Employees Enjoy

• Comprehensive health coverage – medical, dental, and vision plans for you and your family
• Voluntary Benefits – including life insurance for you and family members, ambulance, pet insurance, short/long‑term disability, flex spending and health savings accounts
• Multiple retirement options – including the Wyoming Retirement System and a 457B account, helping you plan for long‑term financial security
• Generous paid leave and flexible schedules – vacation, sick leave, paid FMLA and 11 paid holidays each year
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility – for those with qualifying student loans
• Training and professional development – to support your career growth and advancement
• Employee Assistance Program – Includes paid short‑term counseling, legal, financial and work‑life benefits and select employee discounts
• Wellness Program – Earn paid time off and incentives by focusing on your personal health

Working for the State of Wyoming means more than a job — it’s a stable, rewarding career that lets you make a difference while enjoying a great quality of life.

The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities.

Class Specifications are subject to change, please refer to the A & I HRD Website to ensure that you have the most recent version.