Description
DESCRIPTION:
The City of Santa Clara is seeking to fill multiple Principal Engineer positions to perform high-level civil engineering tasks to manage and support capital improvement projects. Projects can range across water, sewer, storm systems, public-right-of-way infrastructure, transportation infrastructure planning and implementation, parks and recreation facilities, and other city-owned infrastructure. Under direct supervision of the Department Director or Assistant Director, the Principal Engineer will work independently as a hands-on contributor to the engineering team’s work and will be in charge of engineering, construction, maintenance, and related activities. Principal Engineers may also have responsibility for the quality and quantity of the work of an engineering unit, as well as other supervisory duties, as distinguished from the lower level of Engineering classifications.
Water and Sewer Utilities Department
The Water and Sewer Utilities Department plans, designs, constructs, maintains, and operates the City’s water distribution system, sewer collection system, and recycled water system. These three utilities operate independently and charge rates to recover the costs of providing these services to Santa Clara residents and businesses, including capital investment in City infrastructure and funding needed for adequate reserves.
In 2023, the Water Utility produced and distributed approximately six billion gallons of water to approximately 26,000 service connections, delivered through approximately 335 miles of water main. Of the total potable water supply, 62% is obtained from City wells, 18% and 20% treated surface water is provided by wholesalers Valley Water and San Francisco Public Utilities Commission respective. Recycled water delivered through the South Bay Water Recycling system makes up 20% of the total water supply in the City.
The Sewer Utility operates and maintains 270 miles of a sanitary sewage collection system that collects and conveys wastewater to the San Jose-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF) for treatment and disposal. Santa Clara is a 20% owner in the RWF with the City of San Jose owning 80% of the facility. The Sewer Utility maintains 7 sewer pump stations, assists the Department of Public Works in the operation and maintenance of 22 storm pump stations, and performs other critical services. For more information about the Water and Sewer Utilities Department, please visit the department website.
The Principal Engineer will be responsible for staff supervision, budget preparation and monitoring, project oversight, consultant and contractor management and administration, project database oversight, community outreach, project programming and reporting, presentations at the City committees, commissions, and Council, staff mentoring and training and assuring all projects are being implemented and constructed in accordance with plans, specifications, and standards. The qualified candidate will have experience both supervising and working in a team environment on major construction projects, including working collaboratively with contractors, technicians, utility operations staff, outside agency staff, and the public.
- Department of Public Works
The City of Santa Clara's Department of Public Works seeks a result-oriented and innovative principal engineer to serve out the Department's mission to provide the highest quality public works services to the residents of Santa Clara, the development community, and our customers in a responsible and efficient manner. The ideal candidate will have extensive engineering experience, excellent project management and organizational skills, and a strong oral and written communication background. Additionally, the ideal candidate will have experience working in a team environment on significant Capital delivery projects, including working collaboratively with clients, contractors, technicians, field staff, outside agency staff, and the general public. The Department has focus areas that include Engineering Services and Operation sand Maintenance. Engineering Services is comprised of five divisions: Administration, Traffic, Design, Land and Property Development and Field Services. For more information about the Department of Public Works please visit the department website.
In November 2024, voters approved Measure I, a $400M general obligation bond dedicated to addressing the City’s most critical infrastructure needs. The funds will help revitalize aging streets, fire stations, storm drain systems, and recreation facilities - investing in the very foundations of Santa Clara’s growth and resilience. With this major boost, the successful candidate will help deliver a comprehensive Expenditure Plan that includes notable projects in areas such as:- Fire Stations and Emergency Response ($142.2M)
- Parks, Libraries, Senior Centers, and Aquatics Facilities ($115.3M)
- Stormdrain System Improvements ($46M)
- Police Facilities ($43.9M)
- Streets and Transportation ($41.2M)
- Historic Buildings and Beautification ($9.2M)
The Principal Engineer will report to the Assistant Director/City Engineer and will be responsible for all aspects of CIP delivery including staff supervision, budget preparation and monitoring, project oversight, consultant and contractor management and administration, project database oversight, community outreach, project programming and reporting, presentations at the City committees, commissions, and Council, staff mentoring and training and assuring all projects are being implemented and constructed in accordance with plans, specifications and standards.Additional Information:
As a member of the City's Unclassified Service, this is an "at-will" position and the incumbent serves at the discretion of the City Manager.
Applications must be filled out completely (e.g. do not write “see resume, NA, or personnel file.”). To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must submit a 1) Cover Letter and, 2) Resume. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Application packets may be submitted online through the “Apply Now” feature on the job announcement at www.santaclaraca.gov. Applications must be submitted by the filing deadline of Friday, July 18, 2025 at 4:00 PM.
THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS IN THIS, OR OTHER DIVISIONS OR DEPARTMENTS BESIDES THE POSITIONS LISTED BELOW. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN EMPLOYMENT IN THIS CLASSIFICATION, YOU SHOULD APPLY TO ENSURE YOU ARE CONSIDERED FOR ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAY UTILIZE THE APPLICANTS FROM THIS RECRUITMENT.MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMITTANCE INTO THE EXAMINATION PROCESS. ONLY THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WHO DEMONSTRATE THE BEST COMBINATION OF QUALIFICATIONS IN RELATION TO THE REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES OF THE POSITION WILL BE INVITED TO INTERVIEW.
The annual salary range for this position is $201,680.16 - $260,999.52. This position may be filled at or near the minimum of the salary range.
Minimum Qualifications
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
If applying for the position in the Water and Sewer Utilities Department
Education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or closely related field, and Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in engineering office and field work, two years of which shall have included supervision of professional and paraprofessional staff.
License/Certifications:
- Registration as a Civil Engineer by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers is required.
- A Water Distribution Operator's Certification (Grade D-3) must be obtained within two years of appointment.
- Pipeline Assessment and Certification Program (PACP) certification must be obtained from National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASCO) within one year of appointment.
- Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license is required at the time of application and for the duration of employment.
Desirable Qualifications:
- A Water Distribution Operator's Certification of Grade D-4 or higher is highly desirable.
- A Collection System Operations and Maintenance Certification (Grade 2 or higher) is highly desirable.
If applying for the position in the Department of Public Works
Education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from a college or university that is accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology; and
Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in civil engineering office and field work, three years of which were obtained after registration and two of which have been as an engineer in a supervisory capacity. Or Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience as a Senior Engineer with the City of Santa Clara.
License/Certifications:
- Possession of a valid certificate of registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Civil and Professional Engineers is required.
- Possession of an appropriate, valid Class C California driver's license is required at time of application and for the duration of employment.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Possession of a license as a Professional Land Surveyor in California is desirable.
- Other certifications such as Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP)/Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD) are desirable.
Follow this link to view the entire Class Specification for Principal Engineer/Principal Engineer (Water & Sewer), which includes more information on Typical Duties and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of Santa Clara will not sponsor, represent, or sign documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.
The City of Santa Clara is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of Santa Clara is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 615-2080 or HumanResources@santaclaraca.gov.