Principal Engineer - 2026-01939

State of Wyoming; Cheyenne (WY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid leave

Retirement plans

Flexible schedule

Meaningful work

Job summary

The Wyoming Game & Fish Department invites applications for a Principal Engineer to lead engineering, architectural, and construction projects that support wildlife conservation and public access across Wyoming. This exempt role oversees planning, design reviews, contract administration, and multi-disciplinary coordination with staff, consultants, and vendors statewide from Cheyenne.

Preference will be given to a Civil Engineering degree, a Wyoming PE license, and AutoCAD/Civil 3D experience;

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Civil Engineering

Project management

AutoCAD/Civil 3D

Leadership

Contract administration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD/Civil 3D

Job description

General Description

Open Until Filled

Join the Wyoming Game & Fish Department as a Principal Engineer

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.

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!

Want to see the full value of your compensation beyond salary? Explore our Total Compensation Calculator: compensationcalculator.wyo.gov

Human Resource Contact: Dezzaree Schott / [e-mail]

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.

Qualifications

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.

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 (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.

Supplemental Information

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.

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.

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 Wyoming offers a Total Compensation Calculator that shows the full value of your salary plus benefits, so you can clearly see what your complete compensation package looks like.

Explore your total compensation: https://compensationcalculator.wyo.gov/

WORKING FOR THE GREATEST STATE IN THE NATION - Wyoming offers a lifestyle you can’t find anywhere else - wide-open spaces, clean air, friendly communities, year-round recreation, and no state income tax.

Click here for detailed information or you can watch this short video to learn about our benefit package!