Senior County Engineer, Public Works & Infrastructure

Salem County NJ; Salem, Northern (NJ, KY); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Salem County NJ is seeking a County Engineer to provide leadership and oversight of county highway, traffic, bridge, dam, stormwater, and civil engineering functions. The role manages planning, design, construction, and maintenance programs while ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.

The engineer serves as technical authority for public works infrastructure, directs staff, manages budgets, and represents the County with regional agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or closely related field is required at a minimum.
• Graduate degree in Civil Engineering is preferred.
• Minimum of five years of civil engineering experience, including project management and supervisory responsibilities.
• Ten years or more of experience in road, bridge, traffic, stormwater, railroad, and construction project management, in a governmental setting, is preferred.
• Familiarity with CAD, GIS, Hydraulic/Hydrologic modeling, and related engineering technologies.
• Strong public speaking, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate clearly in English. U.S. residency required.
• Experience preferred acting as the Professional Engineer in responsible charge of roadway, traffic, drainage, site, and bridge design projects.
• Demonstrated experience supervising clerical and professional engineering staff.
• Direct experience within county, state, or municipal government structures and processes.

Responsibilities

• Administers countywide highway, bridge, railroad, stormwater, drainage, and transportation programs, including planning, geometric design, drainage design, traffic engineering, construction, and maintenance.
• Prepares, drafts, reviews engineering plans, specifications, contracts, cost estimates, and proposed locations for technical accuracy, safety, and legal compliance.
• Plans and manages alterations or modifications to existing streets, highways, dams, sluice gates, and freeways to improve traffic flow, safety, and long-term serviceability.
• Manages construction schedules and contracted vendors to ensure timely completion of all projects.
• Provides leadership, direction, coaching, and performance evaluation to engineering, design, clerical, survey, and inspection personnel.
• Represents the County with the SJTPO and other transportation, planning, and regulatory bodies.
• Works closely with municipal, state, and federal agencies to coordinate permits, licenses, right‑of‑way acquisitions, and project approvals.
• Oversees documentation of departmental activities, project progress, inspections, and compliance records.

Skills

Public speaking

Communication

Interpersonal skills

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Graduate degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

CAD

GIS

Hydraulic modeling

Hydrologic modeling

Job description

Salem County NJ is seeking a County Engineer to provide leadership and oversight of county highway, traffic, bridge, dam, stormwater, and civil engineering functions. The role manages planning, design, construction, and maintenance programs while ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.

The engineer serves as technical authority for public works infrastructure, directs staff, manages budgets, and represents the County with regional agencies.