Principal Engineering Technician

Sacramento County; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Sacramento County is seeking a Principal Engineering Technician to serve as an advanced lead in the Engineering Technician series. This role leads assigned staff, performs difficult field and office research, and assists in supervision of a program or area, with responsibilities in plan checking, map checking, design and drafting tasks.

Specialties include applying engineering principles to public works projects, GIS applications, and roadway design support.

Qualifications

• Experience in public works facility or structure work.
• Ability to supervise staff and provide technical direction.
• Knowledge of design, drafting, map and plan checking processes.
• Familiarity with GIS applications and related software.

Responsibilities

• Lead specialized engineering technician tasks requiring extensive knowledge.
• Represent the County in meetings with consultants, contractors, and other agencies.
• Assign, coordinate, and provide technical direction to staff.
• Perform plan and map checks and support public works construction projects.

Skills

Public works principles

Contract administration

Traffic analysis

Labor compliance

Public works regulations

Plan & map check

Tools

ArcInfo

CAD software

Job description

The Position

This is a continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on:

11/2/2026, 11/16/2026, 12/2/2026 (Final) Principal Engineering Technician is the advanced and/or lead specialist level in the Engineering Technician series. Principal Engineering Technicians are leadworkers of assigned staff, perform difficult field or office research and administrative tasks, and assist in the supervision of a program or functional area or perform a variety of complex, technical work involving plan checking, map checking, design & drafting assignments similar to those often assigned to beginning level professional engineers. Specialty assignments include interpreting and applying engineering principles and techniques to the resolution of problems.

Examples Of Knowledge And Abilities

Knowledge of

All Options

• Extensive and varied knowledge of public works construction principles, practices, methodologies, and techniques;
• Principles of training and work direction.

General Option

• Extensive and varied knowledge of public works contract administration, fee & permit requirements;
• Construction conditions requirements;
• Traffic utilization analysis techniques and practices;
• Labor compliance requirements;
• Related legislative and rules relating to public works construction in the County.

Design & Drafting Option

• The specialized engineering support principles and practices utilizing conventional or computer-aided design and drafting techniques applicable to plans, schematics, sketches, and other materials utilized for the construction of public works facilities and structures.

Computer Specialist Option

• The principles and practices of the utilization and application of automated equipment and systems to the resolution of engineering related problems, including the knowledge of techniques and procedures for advanced development and modification of software packages in the design, configuration, and implementation of unique solutions to engineering specific problems.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Option

• Extensive and varied knowledge of GIS applications, including the capabilities, limitations, and characteristics;
• Extensive knowledge of ArcInfo computer software;
• Mapping and geoprocessing operations of local government;
• Computer-aided drafting.

Plan & Map Check Option

• The principles and practices of public works design and construction, Federal, State, and County improvement standards as they are applied to map and plan checking for conformance to established requirements and standards, including parcel and subdivision criteria.

Ability to

• Independently perform specialized assignments requiring extensive knowledge of sub-professional engineering work;
• Represent the County in meetings and conferences with outside consultants, contractors, and other public agencies;
• Assign, coordinate, and provide technical direction to assigned staff;
• Speak, read, and write English at a level necessary for satisfactory job performance.

Employment Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of experience and education or training that is likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities for this class. Typical ways to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Either: 1. Two years of full-time experience in the class of Senior Engineering Technician in Sacramento County service including one year of experience in the option be tested.

Or: 2. Four years of sub-professional engineering experience involving public works facilities or structures work, including two years of experience comparable to the Senior Engineering Technician in Sacramento County service in the option being tested.

Education Substitution Criteria

Completion of coursework in engineering or related field at an accredited college or university may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience. Related education substitutions for the required experience are computed on the basis of 3 semester units or 4.5 quarter units = 1 work month.

Note: If the word “experience” is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements.

Note: If the minimum qualifications include an educational or certificate/license requirement, applicants must submit proof of requirements with the application. Failure to submit proof of requirements may result in disqualification from the examination. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. For guidelines on submitting acceptable proof of educational requirements, speak to someone in our office before the cut-off date listed in this notice.

Special Requirements

Driver's License: Some positions in this series require a valid California Driver's License, Class C or higher at the time of appointment.

Note: Failure to maintain the appropriate valid California Driver's License constitutes cause for termination from the class in accordance with Civil Service Rule 11.4.

Background/Criminal History: Applicants for positions assigned to the Department of Airports are subject to a criminal history record check in accordance with the Federal Aviation Administration, FAR 107.11(f) and Sacramento County Personnel Policies and Procedures.

Probationary Period

The probationary period for this classification is six (6) months.

Sacramento County is about enriching communities to thrive. We strive to create inclusive workplaces that reflect the communities we serve. We value and celebrate the unique perspectives, backgrounds, abilities, and diverse dimensions of our employees and residents. Through transparency, courage, innovation, and trust we are committed to advance equity and transformational change.

We are a proud equal opportunity employer. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability for any phase of the hiring process, please contact our Disability Compliance Office at [e-mail] or 916-874-7642, CA Relay 711. For more information, visit: Reasonable Accommodation Requests - Job Applicant Instructions.