Jobs and Careers

Principal Civil Engineer

City of Oakland

United StatesRemotefull_timeVerifiedPosted 14 Aug 2026

💰 $238,783/yr($194,457/yr – $238,783/yr)

About the role

Posting number: 26-ET117-07

Department: Oakland Public Works Department

Job classification: Engineer, Civil Principal

Posting type: Promotional (Restricted)

Categories: Engineering

Summary

The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.

Why join the City of Oakland's Public Works Department?
Oakland Public Works strives to maintain, improve, and preserve Oakland's infrastructure and environment for residents, businesses, visitors, and future generations across our diverse city. Joining Oakland Public Works allows you to make a meaningful impact on the community's daily life while contributing to a team committed to responsive service, problem-solving, and operational excellence. Under general direction, you will plan, organize, manage, and direct the activities of an engineering division within the Public Works Department. You will oversee staff responsible for design, construction inspection, plan review, and permit processing. You will also manage large-scale construction projects, direct the preparation of ordinances and resolutions, and supervise, develop, and train assigned staff while performing other related duties as assigned.

We are looking for someone who is:

An Inspiring Leader. You provide clear direction, motivate others, and foster collaboration to achieve shared goals. You create a vision for the division, develop practical strategies to accomplish its objectives, and invest in the growth and development of your team.
An Effective Communicator. You communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing. You build strong working relationships through trust, collaboration, and open communication while preparing clear reports, correspondence, and presentations for a variety of audiences.
A Critical Thinker and Problem Solver. You analyze complex technical and administrative challenges, evaluate alternatives, exercise sound judgment, and implement effective solutions that advance organizational goals.
Results-Driven. You are committed to delivering high-quality work and exceptional public service. You achieve organizational goals by applying technical expertise, analyzing challenges, managing risk, and making timely, effective decisions.
Experienced Public Works in Engineering and Capital Projects. You bring the expertise to manage complex public works engineering programs, oversee design and construction activities, navigate legal and regulatory requirements, and successfully deliver infrastructure projects that benefit the Oakland community.

What you typically be responsible for:

Planning, organizing, and directing the work of an engineering division through subordinate supervisors, overseeing functions such as design, construction administration, and project delivery.
Leading and reviewing the development of engineering plans, specifications, designs, cost estimates, and other technical documents for a variety of capital improvement and maintenance projects.
Developing and directing studies, reports, and recommendations to support the City's current and long-range capital improvement and infrastructure maintenance needs.
Managing complex capital improvement projects from planning through construction, including overseeing project design, ensuring compliance with technical and regulatory requirements, negotiating contracts, and approving change orders and progress payments.
Ensuring compliance with applicable engineering standards, legal requirements, building codes, safety regulations, and public works policies governing capital improvement projects.
Preparing and administering the division's budget while monitoring expenditures and allocating resources to support operational priorities.
Selecting, supervising, mentoring, and developing staff by providing coaching, performance feedback, training opportunities, and support for professional growth.
Developing, implanting, and evaluating division goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work stand