Principal Engineer OR Project Engineer

City-of-Woodbury-Minnesot; Minnesota; On-site; USD 112,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Woodbury is seeking a Principal Engineer to lead the Engineering Division in planning, technical review, and policy implementation for municipal projects including streets, sewers, water mains, and stormwater improvements.

The role oversees budgets, asset management, and interagency coordination. It requires a Civil Engineering degree with significant municipal experience and PE licensure in Minnesota or eligibility, plus strong leadership and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and 10 years of equivalent and relevant experience or Professional Engineer (P.E.) registration in Minnesota, or ability to obtain by appointment.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible civil engineering experience.
• Three (3) years of experience in municipal engineering.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Coordinate division activities and policy implementation for the Engineering Division.
• Plan and manage municipal infrastructure projects including streets and utilities.
• Review plans and direct consultants to ensure compliance with City standards and policies.
• Coordinate easements and right-of-way acquisitions and related records.
• Maintain system maps and data for GIS, GPS, and public works systems.
• Support development review and coordination with Council and other agencies.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The City of Woodbury plans to hire a Principal Engineer OR Project Engineer. Only one of these positions will be filled.

Principal Engineer -

Reporting to the Assistant City Engineer, this position performs independent planning, technical, and administrative functions for the Engineering Division. It oversees municipal and development related engineering projects such as street, sewer, watermain, and stormwater improvements, and supports infrastructure planning, asset management, and budget development.

The Full Salary Range for the Principal Engineer is $95,336.78 - $138,238.33

The 2027 Proposed Salary Range is $112,455.00 - $146,195.00

Project Engineer -

Responsibilities include performing planning, technical and administrative duties to ensure that public improvements and private developments (residential, commercial, industrial) conform to applicable engineering standards, ordinance requirements, and policy guidelines.

The Full Salary Range for the Project Engineer is $86,102.98 - $124,849.32

The 2027 Proposed Salary Range is $104,273.00 - $135,558.00

THE ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRINCIPAL ENGINEER ARE:

Division Coordination, Communication, and Policy Implementation

Keeps the Assistant City Engineer informed of Engineering Division activities and issues, and serves as a technical resource for City personnel. Assists in the development and implementation of policies and procedures that guide the public improvement process. Prepares reports on department operations, council letters, and memorandums, and makes recommendations for improvements. Supports preparation of the Division’s operating and capital budgets.

Project Planning, Engineering Review, and Consultant Oversight

Plans and manages municipal infrastructure projects including streets, sanitary sewers, water mains, storm sewers, and other public improvements. Reviews plats, site plans, grading and construction documents for consistency with City standards and policies. Directs and reviews work prepared by consulting engineers, surveyors, real estate professionals, legal counsel, and other contracted specialists. Ensures that consultant reports and plans comply with City ordinances, specifications, and construction details.

Legal Coordination, Easements, and Right-of-Way Acquisition

Coordinates legal descriptions, appraisals, and negotiations for easements and rights-of-way. Ensures documentation complies with required standards and facilitates recording at County offices.

Development Review, Utility Permitting, and System Mapping

Reviews plans from developers to evaluate impacts on utilities, traffic, and drainage, ensuring compliance with City policies. Coordinates and updates system maps and databases for sanitary sewer, water, storm drainage, and street networks. Participates in or leads updates to the City’s transportation, sewer, water, and stormwater plans, and contributes to the Capital Improvement Program.

Construction and Contract Management

Coordinates construction activities and project schedules with stakeholders and other agencies. Negotiates and manages consultant and contractor agreements. Directs the preparation and modification of specifications, plans, construction schedules, environmental and traffic studies, and related technical documents.

Public Engagement and Communications

Conducts public information meetings and prepares newsletters and notices to inform residents affected by reconstruction or infrastructure projects. Responds to citizen inquiries related to traffic control, grading, drainage, and erosion control, and addresses complaints from the public, contractors, developers, and agencies.

Council and Interagency Representation

May appear before City Council to present or clarify construction projects. Represents the City in meetings, seminars, and with other agencies, contractors, consultants, and suppliers to discuss and resolve project or policy issues.

Technical Analysis, Software, and Systems Integration

Performs technical reviews and prepares analyses and reports. Supports the use and development of GIS, GPS, and public works software systems. Maintains up-to-date data and mapping to support infrastructure planning and operations.

State Aid Program Management

Administers the State Aid system, including all required submittals, certifications, requests, and communications. Ensures accurate documentation and compliance with State processes and standards.

Mentorship, Team Support, and Organizational Culture

Provides informal supervision, mentorship, and guidance to engineering staff. Offers feedback on performance and supports professional growth. Works collaboratively with peers and fosters a respectful, inclusive, and high-performing workplace. Maintain and foster an environment, which facilitates the Exceeding Expectations (professional, responsive, leaders) philosophy of the City.Fosters an inclusive work culture and advances the City’s diversity, equity and inclusion goals.

Informal Supervision

This position provides informal supervision, mentorship, and guidance to assigned staff within the Engineering Department. The role supports professional development, offers technical direction, and helps coordinate team efforts to ensure successful project outcomes and alignment with City goals.

Other Responsibilities

Performs other duties and responsibilities as apparent or assigned to support departmental and organizational goals.

THE ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PROJECT ENGINEER ARE:

Review preliminary plats, preliminary utility plans, grading plans, final plats, construction plans, drawings, and specifications submitted by consultants, engineers, and developers to determine whether they conform to City comprehensive plans, guidelines, policies, ordinances, and engineering standards.

Direct and review work of consultants assisting in planning, design and construction activities, right-of-way acquisition, and legal and infrastructure management activities.

Coordinates the preparation of legal descriptions and appraisals for easements and right-of-way acquisitions required by the City; negotiates and obtains authorizing signatures of property owners; ensures compliance with prescribed standards; and coordinates recording of the documents and agreements at County offices.

Assist with designing municipal improvement projects, including the preparation of cost estimates, engineering plans, specifications and design documents, easement acquisition, permitting and surveying.

Prepare written recommendations to City departments, committees, commissions, and the City Council. Prepares Council letters and memorandums.

Assist in the monitoring and control of the planning and coordination of public improvement projects.

Assist in development of standards and policies for the design/maintenance of the City’s public improvements.

Remain up to date on all specifications, regulations, codes, construction practices and generally accepted engineering standards.

Attend and participate in meetings with City Council, developers, and residents as necessary.

Assist in development and recommendation of procedures, policies, and ordinances to accomplish objectives of the Engineering Division.

Help ensure engineering information is adequately managed through files, record plans and computer systems.

Help address and resolve residents, developers, and property owner’s concerns.

Assist in the preparation of annual operating budget and five-year capital improvement budget for Engineering department.

Administer procedures to implement projects financed through federal, state, regional and local funds.

Assist in the preparation of assessment rolls and the administration of the assessment process per State Statute 429 and City policy.

Maintain knowledge of Minnesota State Aid Rules, design requirements and project delivery process.

Assist in implementing engineering activities conducted by the Public Works Division.

Utilize the City’s pavement management program to make recommendations for project prioritization within the Capital Improvement Plan and roadway rehabilitation programs.

Fosters an inclusive work culture and advances the City’s diversity, equity and inclusion goals.

Maintain and foster an environment, which facilitates the Exceeding Expectations (professional, responsive, leaders) philosophy of the City.

Performs other duties and responsibilities as apparent or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE PRINCIPAL ENGINEER

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and 10 years of equivalent and relevant experience or Professional Engineer (P.E.) registration in Minnesota, or ability to obtain by appointment
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible civil engineering experience
• Three (3) years of experience in municipal engineering
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

PREFERRED QUALIFCIATIONS FOR THE PRINCIPAL ENGINEER

• Professional Engineer (P.E.) registration in Minnesota, or ability to obtain by appointment
• Supervisory experience
• Knowledge of municipal public works operations and standards
• Experience with construction inspection and contract management
• Proficiency with CAD systems and detailed infrastructure design
• Experience in transportation planning and traffic studies
• Familiarity with Minnesota Statute 429 and special assessment process
• Proficiency in GIS (ArcMap) and GPS systems

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE PROJECT ENGINEER

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering.
• Registration as an Engineer in Training (EIT) or the ability to obtain within six months of hire or 5 years of equivalent and relevant experience.
• Knowledge and proficiency of basic Microsoft Office skills (i.e. Word and Excel).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS FOR THE PRINCIPAL ENGINEER AND PROJECT ENGINEER

The role requires the ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds and perform a range of physical activities such as standing, walking, sitting, kneeling, or climbing. Hand-eye coordination is essential for using technical tools and equipment. The position may involve navigating construction sites and working under variable conditions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT FOR THE PRINCIPAL ENGINEER AND PROJECT ENGINEER

Work is primarily conducted in an office setting, with occasional field visits to construction and development sites. Fieldwork may expose the employee to inclement weather, mechanical hazards, chemicals, and moderate noise levels.