Principal Engineer 2026-01864

State of Wyoming; Newcastle (WY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid vacation, sick leave, and holiday

Retirement plans (Pension and 457(b))

Flexible schedules and work-life bal

Relocation expense reimbursement

Hiring bonus

Job summary

Wyoming Department of Transportation in Newcastle seeks a Principal Engineer to lead the Construction Program, directing a team of engineers and technicians from design through finalization.

You will oversee highway construction, contract administration, and coordination with federal, state, and local agencies to ensure timely, on‑budget delivery of projects, while maintaining safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of highway geometrics, hydraulic design, soil engineering, and construction practices.
• Knowledge of supervision, hiring, and firing.
• Skilled in presenting technical information and training.
• Ability to coordinate with agencies, landowners, and the public on design and construction.

Responsibilities

• Document project quantities and payment.
• Negotiate and secure agreements with landowners, agencies, and consultants.
• Coordinate with city, county, federal, and department representatives and the public.
• Prepare plans, summaries, and estimates for maintenance projects.

Skills

Highway geometrics

Communication

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Job description

General Description

The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is looking for a dynamic Principal Engineer to lead our Construction Program in Newcastle, Wyoming. This isn't just a job - it's your chance to shape Wyoming's highways, bridges, and public spaces while guiding a talented team of technicians and engineers.

As the Principal Engineer, you'll oversee highway construction and contract administration from design to finalization. Your projects will range from maintaining city streets to reconstructing major interstate highways and bridges. You'll work closely with Federal, State, County, and City personnel, utility companies, landowners, and the public, ensuring every project is completed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards—all while fostering a safe, claim-free environment.

Located in the heart of the Black Hills, Newcastle offers the best of small-town western living with easy access to fishing, hunting, skiing, hiking, biking, snowmobiling, and more. Need a dose of city life? Rapid City, South Dakota, is just a short drive away. Plus, Wyoming is one of only nine states with no state income tax!

Experience a competitive compensation package. This Position Offers:

• $2,000 Hiring Bonus See notes for eligibility
• The successful candidate may be eligible for moving expense reimbursement

Working for the State of Wyoming offers more than a paycheck. Our total compensation package includes:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, FMLA, and holidays
• Retirement - Pension and 457(b) 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!

Human Resources Contact: Keri Griffith / 307-674-2318 / [e-mail]

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Responsible for documentation of project quantities and payment.
• Responsible for negotiating and securing agreements with landowners, government agencies, and consultants.
• Responsible for meeting requirements of DEQ, BLM, USFS, and other agencies on projects.
• Coordinate and develop consensus among the city, county, federal, and department representatives, 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.
• 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.
• Trains 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 agencies' staff in other states or 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.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE

• 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 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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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 six months of hire date.)

Notes

• 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. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities
• This position will supervise the construction staff and projects located in Newcastle, Wyoming.
• The successful candidate may be eligible for relocation 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.

Supplemental Information

To learn more about the Wyoming Department of Transportation, please visit us at www.dot.state.wy.us/home.html

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

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 9 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

Know your full value.

Your paycheck is only part of the picture. The State of