Resident Engineer 2026

State of Wyoming; Rock Springs (WY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hiring bonus of $2,000

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays

Retirement plans

Flexible schedules

Job summary

The State of Wyoming is seeking a Principal Engineer to lead the Construction Program in Rock Springs, Wyoming. This role involves managing highway construction and supervising a team of engineers.

Key responsibilities include overseeing all phases of project design and ensuring compliance with safety and budget standards. The position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and a PE License. The role offers a hiring bonus and a comprehensive compensation package.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of progressive work experience in Engineering with knowledge at the level of a Project Engineer.
• Professional Engineer's (PE) License required at time of hire.
• Wyoming PE required within one year of hire date.

Responsibilities

• Manage construction and maintenance projects including bridges and highways.
• Supervise engineers and technicians for project design.
• Coordinate with multiple stakeholders throughout project lifecycle.

Skills

Knowledge of engineering fundamentals

Effective communication skills

Planning and organizing skills

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Job description

Description and Functions

Open Until Filled

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is seeking a Principal Engineer to lead our Construction Program in Rock Springs, Wyoming. This key leadership role is responsible for overseeing all aspects of highway construction and contract administration—from project design through completion and final documentation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage construction and maintenance projects including bridges, interstates, highways, county roads, city streets, and public buildings.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of engineers and technicians involved in project design and contract oversight.
• Coordinate with federal, state, county, and city officials, as well as utility companies, landowners, and the public throughout the project lifecycle.
• Apply sound engineering principles to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, on time, and within budget.

What WYDOT Offers:

• $2,000 Hiring Bonus (eligibility requirements apply)
• A strong culture of public service and commitment to work/life balance
• Relocation assistance may be available

Our total compensation package includes:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, FMLA, and holidays
• Retirement – Pension and 457B plans that help you build a secure future
• Flexible schedules and work‑life balance options
• Meaningful work that makes a difference for Wyoming communities

Human Resources Contact: 307-352-3048 / Terra Poling / [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 representatives of the city, county, federal, and the department and 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.
• Responsible for determining equipment, workforce needs, and budget requirements.
• 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.
• 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 engineering staff's work activities meet project technical and policy requirements, state statutes, and federal regulations.
• Performs feasibility analysis to ensure cost‑effective solutions.
• Co‑ordinates with other programs, agencies, or outside entities; participates in value engineering studies and public meetings.
• Responds to 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 and mentors 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 other 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.
• Reviews 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 acquiring engineering‑specific software, hardware, equipment, and materials.
• Affixes PE stamp to 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 both verbal and written means to relate specific concepts and ideas to outside agencies, and 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.

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's (PE) License Required at time of hire – Wyoming PE required within one year of hire date.

Necessary Special Requirements

• FLSA: Exempt
• The Wyoming Department of Transportation is a Drug‑Free Workplace.
• E‑Verify: WYDOT uses E‑Verify 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.
• 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.

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