Senior Engineering Associate - Civil

City-of-Portland,-Oregon; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Portland seeks a Senior Engineering Associate to support PBOT’s technical engineering efforts on capital projects. You will lead design tasks, supervise assignments, and contribute specialized design work under the guidance of a Professional Engineer.

Ideal candidates hold a Civil Engineering degree, have passed the FE exam, and bring at least two years of civil engineering experience, preferably in a public agency setting, with a focus on transportation and multimodal safety.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related field.
• FE exam passed at time of hire.
• At least two years of civil engineering work experience.
• Experience working for a public agency is preferred.
• Ability to deliver a high level of customer service and work with initiative and creativity.
• Interest in transportation engineering and multimodal transportation safety.

Responsibilities

• Performs, directs or reviews design work under the general direction of professional engineers.
• Develops project concepts, performs computations, conducts cost/benefit analyses and produces design documents.
• Performs plan review to verify code compliance of engineering components.
• Manages assignments from inception to completion, prepares cost estimates and tracks progress.
• Operates computer systems for data input, analysis and reporting; develops modeling programs as needed.
• Prepares or directs the contract bidding process, including specifications and bid documents.

Skills

Communication

Customer service

Independent judgment

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

FE exam passed

Job description

Job Appointment

Full-Time

Work Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8 am-5 pm. An alternate schedule may be available.

Work Location

1120 SW 5TH AVE, PORTLAND, OR 97204

Benefits

Please check our benefits tab for an overview of the benefits for this position.

Union Representation

PROTEC17

Labor Agreements

To view current labor agreements, please visit https://www.portland.gov/bhr/employee-relations/labor-relations/labor-agreements.

Senior Engineering Associates

support PBOT’s technical engineering efforts by performing design and review tasks on capital projects. This includes managing and leading projects and contributing specialized design work to larger projects. Assignments range from intermediate to complex, requiring application of advanced engineering theory, independent judgment, and sound decision-making under the general direction of a registered Professional Engineer.

About PBOT:

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides people and businesses access and mobility. PBOT envisions transportation facilities that are designed and managed to improve walking, biking and driving, and Portland stands as a national leader in innovative transportation solutions.

About Civil Engineering Drafting (CED) Section:

The CED section delivers engineering design for multimodal capital projects—such as arterial and neighborhood street reconstruction, traffic safety enhancements, and pedestrian/bicycle facilities. Success in this section requires strong communication, technical curiosity, and the ability to prioritize and adapt in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

What you’ll get to do:

• Performs, directs or reviews design work under the general direction of professional engineers who serve as resource experts and review work for accuracy and quality.
• Developsproject concepts using information gathered through research and investigation; performs necessary computations; does cost/benefit analysis; makes recommendations on design criteria; produces preliminary and final designs after approval; makes modifications in design if needed.
• Performsplan review by applying advanced technical knowledge to verify engineering components meet code requirements.
• Performsproject management duties including managing assignments from inception to completion, preparing cost estimates, serving as liaison between City and contractor, checking progress of work, keeping project records, recording changes as they occur and making reports.
• Operatescomputers to input or obtain data, research master files, analyze data, make calculations, prepare reports and maintain data files; runs prepared programs, modifies existing programs as needed for specific application and writes new programs as needed; develops and runs computer modeling and management information system programs.
• Prepares or directs contract bidding process including writing specifications, estimating probable costs, preparing bid documents, reviewing contractor qualifications, participating in meetings with contractors and monitoring work progress after contract is awarded.

An Ideal Candidate will have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or similar field;
• Passed the FE exam at time of hire
• At least two years of civil engineering work experience;
• Experience working for a public agency preferred
• Ability to deliver a high level of customer service, and to carry out their responsibilities with initiative, independence, and creativity while exercising sound problem-solving skills; and
• Have an interest in transportation engineering and multi-modal transportation safety.

Who you are:

• Excellent Communicator: Strong communication skills, including written, in-person, virtual, and group settings to both technical and non-technical individuals.
• Relationship Builder: Values building trust, partnerships, and relationships to support a team-oriented culture and accomplish objectives with others effectively.
• Innovative: Has an aptitude for continuous improvement and can excel in working in changing work environments. Has demonstrated the ability to remain flexible, agile, and calm.
• Technically Strong: Has strong technical skills and subject matter expertise in multimodal transportation engineering as well as relevant civil design software and can provide technical guidance to staff.
• Professional: Is effective in a professional, diverse, multi-cultural environment. Treats customers, co-workers and employees with respect and is accountable.
• Results Driven: Can take charge, bring focus, and finish tasks in a timely, accurate and professional manner in a high paced and dynamic work environment.
• Sound judgment: Can weigh tradeoffs and make independent decisions about complex issues and can balance competing needs in a fast-paced environment.
• Dedicated: Has a passion for public service and holds a high level of pride in making sure that projects, tasks, and emergencies are effectively and efficiently completed

Contact

Terrol Johnson

Senior Recruiter

[e-mail]

Applicants should specifically address and demonstrate in their cover letter and résumé how their education, training and/or experience meet each of the following minimum qualifications:

1. Ability to build and maintain professional, collaborative working relationships with contractors and co-workers, supported by clear communication and consistent follow-through.
2. Ability to apply advanced technical skills to engineering design work including relevant engineering and office software tools and to build new skills as methods and tools change.
3. Knowledge of engineering principles, practices, and theory related to transportation and public works construction, including physics, mathematics, design standards, general engineering concepts and applicable codes.
4. Ability to interpret and apply information from plans, specifications, maps, design manuals, and complex laws, regulations, and codes.
5. Ability to communicate effectively in both technical and non-technical language, orally and in writing, and to work constructively through differing viewpoints.
6. Knowledge of project and construction management and its influence on budgeting, scheduling, cost control, and safety practices, along with the ability to manage multiple assignments and balance design quality with cost-effective solutions.

Applicant must also possess:

• An Engineer-In-Training Certification, i.e., passed the State Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination at time of appointment.
• A valid state driver’s license

Application Deadline

October 5 2026 – October 19 2026

Optional Application Materials

• Veteran’s Preference documents (e.g., DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter) must be submitted by the closing date.
• To update or remove veteran preference for this recruitment or from your profile, contact the recruiter listed in the job announcement.

Equal Pay Statement

Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics.

Minimum Qualification Evaluation

• An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and cover letter, is weighted 100%.
• Your resume and cover letter will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
• You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation results to let us know if you would like to review and discuss your evaluation results. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.
• Additional evaluation may be required before the establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

Eligible List Establishment

• Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.

Selection (Interview)

• The hiring bureau will review and select candidates to interview.

Offer of Employment

• The hiring bureau will review and select candidates to interview.

Start Date

• A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.

Approximate Timeline

*Timeline is approximate and subject to change*

Additional Information

• City of Portland Core Values
• Recruitment Process - Work Status
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Veteran Preference
• ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations

How to Apply Resources

The City of Portland has How to Apply Videos and offers How to Apply Classes once per month. If you have questions after watching the videos you are invited to contact the recruiter listed on the announcement.

Equal Opportunity Employer

An Equal Opportunity Employer