Senior Engineer

City of Charlotte; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Charlotte is seeking a Senior Engineer to lead engineering projects within the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS). You will manage consultants and staff, oversee plans and cost estimates, and present results at technical and public meetings.

Strong communication and project-management skills are essential as you support a modern transit program. You will contribute to a professional team, coordinate with external partners, and ensure compliance with standards while driving timely

Qualifications

• BS/BA in Civil Engineering or related field with 5+ years of progressively responsible experience.
• Registered North Carolina Professional Engineer or PE reciprocity within six months.
• Master's degree preferred; 10 years of federal transportation project management experience.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage design consultants from multiple disciplines on complex construction projects.
• Prepare and review plans, specifications, cost estimates, RFPs, and bid documents.
• Represent CATS at technical meetings and public hearings.
• Support safety culture by reporting safety concerns per the Agency Safety Plan.
• Maintain communication with consultants, contractors, management, and the public.

Skills

Project management

Communication skills

Conflict resolution

Public speaking

Team collaboration

Analytical thinking

Education

BS/BA in Civil Engineering

Master's degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

SharePoint

Adobe

Bluebeam

Job description

Department: Charlotte Area Transit System Department

Salary: $89,552.00 - $128,730.99 Commensurate with Experience

Thank you for your interest in joining the team that keeps Charlotte moving, at a very exciting time for our organization. At the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), we’re committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative transit services for our growing community, and we value employees who bring professionalism, passion, and a commitment to public service. This position is currently employed by CATS, a department of the City of Charlotte. With the passage of the PAVE Act and last year’s sales tax referendum, CATS is preparing to transition from a City department to the newly created Metropolitan Public Transit Authority (MPTA). The MPTA was established to strengthen regional transit governance, improve accountability, and support long‑term investment in mobility. It’s an important and exciting step forward for transit in our region. Employees hired into this role will remain City employees through December 31, 2026, and will transition to MPTA employment on January 1, 2027. Benefits and compensation will follow City provisions through 2026 and shift to MPTA provisions in 2027, with clear information shared in advance. Your core duties, reporting structure, and daily responsibilities will remain consistent, with no break in service. If anything delays the transition, your City employment, including compensation and benefits, will remain in place until the move to the MPTA occurs. The creation of the MPTA positions us for a more modern, sustainable, and efficient transit system, one that can better support the Charlotte region for decades to come. We’re excited about what’s ahead and appreciate your interest in being part of it.

SUMMARY

The Senior Engineer position with CATS gives individuals the opportunity to solve problems and to design projects that really matter, often coming up with solutions that are original and innovative. Working as part of an engineering team, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with people both inside and outside your chosen field. You’ll be surrounded by people who will challenge you; people who will cause you to stretch and grow; and people who will inspire you.As a CATS Senior Engineer, you can use your talents to find creative solutions. It is an opportunity to make your mark on the world by managing and directing engineering work performed by consultants and other the departmental staff. Both your technical and your soft skills will be essential parts of your work. Day-to-day responsibilities will include managing both design consultants from many disciplines and complex construction projects along with representing CATS at technical meetings and public meetings and hearings. Expected tasks include all phases of project management such as directing the preparation of plans, specifications, cost estimates, requests for proposals, bid documents; working with consultants, contractors, and the public to resolve problems and initiate the appropriate solutions; and maintaining effective communication to improve collaboration and engagement. This Senior Engineer position reports to the Senior Project Manager.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepare and direct the preparation of plans, specifications, reports, cost estimates, request for proposals and bid documents for contract awards.
• Provide technical assistance in the review of development plans.
• Prepare a variety of technical papers, reports, correspondence, and other documents and materials required for assigned projects.
• Represent the project at technical meetings and before local citizens in public meetings and hearings.
• As part of your responsibility to support the CATS Safety Culture, report safety concerns and issues through the various methods established by CATS as outlined in the Agency Safety Plan.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Skills to interpret technical plans and specifications.
• Ability to use project controls software and analyze schedules.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to maintain good working relationships with consultants, contractors, management, coworkers, and the public, and represent CATS in a professional manner.
• Proficiency with computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Adobe, and Bluebeam, and with mobile devices such as tablet computers.
• Ability to successfully perform project management tasks, including the proactive management during project initiation, planning, implementation, and closeout.
• Ability to apply conflict resolution techniques.
• Knowledge of Federal Transit Administration standards and processes.

Preferred Qualification

• Master's degree
• Ten years of experience managing federal transportation related projects

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a BS/BA in Civil Engineering or related field; minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible experience.
• Registered North Carolina Professional Engineer or PE registration in another state with the ability to receive reciprocity within six (6) months.

Conditions of Employment

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check. Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports. Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

BENEFITS

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits. The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.

Our City, Our Mission

When you join the City of Charlotte, you become part of Team Charlotte — a dedicated group of professionals working together to make a meaningful impact on our community and its future. The City of Charlotte has more than 8,000 employees working across 19 departments to serve close to 1 million residents. From public safety and clean water to transportation, housing and an international airport, our teams deliver essential services to keep Charlotte connected, safe and empowered with opportunity for all. As public servants, we are guided by a clear mission: to be committed to exceptional service every day. No matter the department or role, every team member plays a part in helping our city grow, thrive and meet the needs of those who rely on us. We are a values-driven organization, working collaboratively, acting with integrity and delivering reliable results. We embrace a forward-thinking mindset, encouraging curiosity, innovation and continuous improvement. The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.

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