Principal Engineer - Traffic

For more details, view the complete job description: Principal Engineer

Experience the rewards of your hard work—comprehensive benefits, including upcoming COLAs, that support your well-being, growth, and success!

3% increase in base effective 6/21/2026

BENEFIT HIGHLIGHT

• EDUCATION INCENTIVE: Additional compensation over an employee’s base salary for a job-related degree above the minimum requirements required of an employee’s position.
• HOLIDAY: City Hall and most city departments will be permanently closed from Christmas Day through New Year’s Day
  
  

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Plans, organizes, controls, integrates, evaluates, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of professional, technical, and support engineering employees engaged in the design, construction, plan review, permit processing, and/or contract administration work.
• Participates in the development of project and division goals; monitors operational performance in relation to plans, policies, specifications, contracts, and work standards.
• Serves as the project manager for assigned projects, including establishing design goals and project milestones, reviewing and approving project cost, preparing management and council reports, issuing change orders, and managing consultant performance.
• Plans and manages a variety of capital improvement and maintenance projects, including preparation and supervision of engineering and architectural plans, specifications, designs, and estimates for public works construction projects; develops and prioritizes capital improvement project plans, including bid documents, work schedules, construction change orders, progress payments, budgets, and resources; establishes conditions of approval; coordinates inspections and project monitoring programs to ensure compliance with technical and legal requirements for CIP projects.
• Monitors and reviews work and progress for timely and cost-effective completion of assigned projects; reviews and evaluates plans for proposed assessment and maintenance districts and related bond and fee requirements; reviews subdivision and development proposals.
• Prepares a variety of staff reports and presentations and attends and represents the City at public meetings before such entities as the City Council, Public Works committee, Flood Control District, Planning Commission, and other committees and boards, as assigned.
• Plans, manages, and performs a variety of engineering land development projects to insure timely and accurate review of site and land development maps, including the review and plan check of land development maps, final maps, easements, utility improvement submittals, public improvement plans, and documents requirements for conformance with City codes and governmental requirements; prepares and processes land development conditions of approval, agreements, and development bonds; supervises and coordinates the review of land development submittals by other City departments.
• Manages and administers operations, activities, and programs, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal standards, regulations, rules, and laws governing public works construction, public utilities construction, traffic engineering, geotechnical engineering, engineering surveying, and similar areas of compliance.
• Participates in the planning of future departmental activities by providing technical information in areas of expertise.
• Conducts technical reviews and provides recommendations regarding designs prepared by consulting engineers and architects.
• Reviews and analyzes work methods and recommends changes in department policy and procedures to increase efficiency and productivity.
• Ensures the maintenance and accuracy of detailed records of project activities, findings, and results; ensures the timely and accurate completion of topographic and construction engineering surveys.
• Keeps informed and up to date on current construction design techniques, changes in codes and regulations, and new construction materials and methods.
• Observes and complies with City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

Knowledge Of

• Construction and structural design concepts, principles, techniques, and tools used in the development of technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Construction methods, materials, and techniques used to construct objects, structures, and buildings.
• The development and derivation of formulas and relationships of established civil engineering principles, methods, and techniques.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Public agency budgeting, bidding, and contracting laws and techniques.
• Local, county, state, and federal laws and regulations relating to construction activities, the environment, and various City programs.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• Principles and procedures of recordkeeping.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
  
  

Ability To

• Manage projects; analyze and resolve technical design engineering, construction and environmental engineering projects issues and problems.
• Apply engineering and architectural principles, methods, and techniques to theoretical and practical problems with versatility, judgment, and perception.
• Prepare, administer, and monitor budgets, bids, and contracts.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with individuals, governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, and regulatory organizations.
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Learn and understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, recordkeeping, and tracking systems.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Keep current on best practices and changes in scientific knowledge and engineering technology.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  
  

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Important Information

Examination Process:

A competitive review of applicants' experience and qualifications will be conducted. Based on that evaluation, a limited number of applicants whose qualifications best meet the current needs of the City of Upland will be invited to participate in the next step of the examination process. The examination may include a *qualifications appraisal interview. Qualified candidates will be provided with more details prior to the start of the examination process. *Qualifications Appraisal Interviews tentatively scheduled for the week of May 11, 2026.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.