Principal Engineer - 2026-01939

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

Paid vacation, sick leave, holidays

Retirement - Pension and 457(b)

Flexible schedules

Meaningful work

Job summary

Wyoming Game and Fish Department is seeking a Principal Engineer to lead engineering design and construction projects that support wildlife conservation, public access, and agency operations in Wyoming. You will manage a multidisciplinary team and coordinate with contractors, consultants, and internal stakeholders across statewide projects.

Candidates should have a civil engineering background, licensure (PE) within a year, and 2–4 years of project engineering experience; AutoCAD/Civil 3D

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
• PE license required within 1 year of hire.
• 2–4 years progressive engineering experience at Project Engineer level.
• Experience with AutoCAD/Civil 3D is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering design and reviews for irrigation, roadways, and boating access projects.
• Oversee vendor plans, ensure code compliance and quality assurance.
• Coordinate with internal teams and consultants on permits and project delivery.
• Manage contracts and administer construction projects statewide.
• Direct tasks of a 3-person team and report to Chief Engineer.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Project management

Communication

Budgeting

Team supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD/Civil 3D

Job description

Open Until Filled

Join the Wyoming Game and Fish Department as a Principal Engineer

Conserving Wildlife and Serving People. In this impactful role, you will apply your engineering expertise and leadership to manage and deliver innovative engineering, architectural, and construction projects that support wildlife conservation, public access, and agency operations across Wyoming. This is a unique opportunity to shape meaningful infrastructure projects, solve complex challenges, and contribute to work that makes a lasting difference for Wyoming’s natural resources and communities.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

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

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Conducts engineering, planning & review including performing engineering design on Department driven projects that include, but are not limited to irrigation structures, roadways and boating access facilities and small structures.
• Reviews the plans and specifications of third-party contract vendors to ensure the Department's needs are met, provides quality assurance, and ensures code compliance.
• Works cooperatively with Department personnel and leadership to effectively communicate plan specifications and potential issues throughout the planning and review process.
• Reviews and administers internal proposals for Department facility maintenance and repair.
• Collaborates with Department personnel or third-party consultants to ensure projects are properly permitted.
• Provides contract administration and project management on Department construction projects related to vertical construction; roadway construction; stream restoration; fish passage; irrigation structure, repair, and diversion; boat ramps; infrastructure maintenance and upkeep; as well as other administrative and wildlife-driven projects.
• Review plans and specifications to ensure sound engineering practices are being followed. Ensure code compliance, monitor construction activities and progress, and coordinate projects with Department personnel, contractors, and professional services consultants.
• Compose Request for Qualifications/Proposal documents and bid documents, as well as organize and coordinate professional services selection, contract execution, and contract administration: ensure projects are being performed in accordance with contract documents.
• Complete contract bid documents for in-house projects as assigned by the Chief Engineer and perform contract administration for projects statewide while complying with Wyoming State Statutory Regulations and Department Policy Guidelines.
• Meet with Services Division Leadership on a regular basis to provide updates on current projects and communicate potential issues while serving as lead Department representative on assigned projects and facilitating the decision-making process on major project components.
• Directly assign tasks, track, and manage a staff of 3 (1 Senior Land Surveyor, 1 Project Engineer, 1 Facilities Manager) to carry out Department priorities as they relate to the Conservation Engineering Branch, Facilities Maintenance, and the overall Department mission.
• Works closely with all divisions on engineering and surveying issues, including communicating and coordinating surveying and construction projects with affected Department personnel, consultants, and contractors, with on-site monitoring statewide.
• Travels throughout the State of Wyoming as the primary representative of the Department to meet with design firms, contractors and other vendors working on Department projects.
• Partners with the Chief Engineer to execute administrative duties such as work scheduling, budget management, and branch meetings.

PREFERENCES:

• Preference will be given to candidates possessing a degree in Civil Engineering.
• Preference will be given to candidates with a Registered Professional Engineer certification with the State of Wyoming.
• Preference will be given to candidates with engineering design experience using AutoCAD/Civil 3D.
• Preference will be given to candidates based in or able to work from Cheyenne.

KNOWLEDGE:

• Ability to apply engineering, surveying, and construction knowledge and training in project design, specifications, and contract bid documents, bid projects, monitor work progress, site inspections, field surveying, and close out projects.
• Able to effectively plan, organize, oversee, and monitor work schedules and projects.
• Working knowledge of water rights and ability to work with the State Engineer's Office on water rights projects.
• 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. Ability to work autonomously with the department personnel and external parties to execute department projects.
• Provide leadership to those supervised and to private sector firms under contract.
• Knowledge of budget administration for O&M, Capital Facilities, facilities maintenance, boating access, and department construction funding.
• Knowledge of engineering design methods and use of AutoCAD/Civil 3D.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

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 (PE) License Required at time of hire (Wyoming PE required within 1 year of hire date).

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Ability to sit/stand and operate equipment for long periods of time.
• Work outdoors for extended periods of time in adverse environmental conditions.
• Statewide travel is required.

NOTES:

• FLSA: Exempt
• Successful applicants for employment must pass a background check prior to the appointment.

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.