Published date: June 5, 2026

Senior Engineer (Development Engineering)

City of Sacramento

$107,874.49 – $151,790.24 Annually

Benefits: Please visit job posting site for benefit information.

6/26/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

THE POSITION

With supervisor approval, incumbents may be eligible for intermittent remote work; however, they must physically reside within the Sacramento region or have the ability to regularly report to a City of Sacramento physical worksite with little notice.

This position is within the Department of Public Works, Engineering Services division, Development Engineering section. The Senior Engineer will serve as the project manager and civil plan reviewer for complex private development projects coordinating with other city review staff, the design engineer, owner, and executive team as necessary to approve off-site, public improvement plans for construction. This position may also supervise lower level engineering staff and/or technical staff who perform plan review.

IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT

The ideal candidate will have experience in designing or plan review of public improvements associated with private development and capital improvement roadway/transportation projects. Experience with Caltrans encroachment permits is desired but not required. Familiarity with the subdivision map act, planning entitlement process, and implementation of tentative map conditions are also traits of an ideal candidate. They will thrive in a fast-paced environment and have the confidence to make decisions with limited information based on experience and methodical critical thinking. The ideal candidate will hold themselves accountable for meeting deadlines, fiscally managing projects responsibly, is solutions oriented, and is adept with changing priorities.

Under general direction, the Senior Engineer participates in the conduct of complicated civil, structural, electrical, or mechanical engineering planning, design, construction, maintenance/operation, plan review, assessment, and regulatory activities; develops plans; inspects sites and assists in problem resolution; coordinates engineering related activities with other City departments and outside agencies; conducts engineering planning studies; conducts plan reviews; and prepares grant applications.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This advanced journey-level class is populated with multiple incumbents. Senior Engineers perform the most complex professional civil, structural, electrical, or mechanical engineering work requiring a substantial level of professional training. Incumbents may also lead professional and technical personnel on a team or project basis. Assignments require the exercise of independent judgment and initiative in scheduling, assigning, and coordinating work with that of other units, referring only unusual or highly-complex problems. Senior Engineer is distinguished from Supervising Engineer in that the latter manages broad professional engineering categories, such as electrical, mechanical, civil, structural, environmental, traffic, water, drainage, wastewater, or sanitation. The classification of Senior Engineer is distinguished from that of Associate Civil Engineer in that the former serves as project or team leader and performs the most complex and highly skilled engineering work while the latter is the journey level in the registered engineer series.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

General direction is provided by higher level licensed professional staff. Incumbents may oversee a project team consisting of professional and technical personnel staff assigned to a project. Responsibilities may include direct or technical supervision of lower level personnel.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all the listed duties and/or may be required to perform related duties as needed:

• Develop plans and estimates work orders for the construction of public works and capital improvement projects and programs (including public buildings, transportation infrastructure, public spaces, and public services); inspects project sites; assists in solution of difficult engineering problems; interprets specifications and City policy; makes change orders.
• Participates in the selection and management of consultant engineers for the development of plans and specifications, studies and reports; reviews plans for construction prepared by private engineers.
• Provides direct supervision over lower level staff including assigning, directing, training, and evaluating subordinate staff; performs evaluations; and recommends discipline.
• Checks computations and specified materials for accuracy and conformance with regulations; reviews and makes recommendations on technical reports and studies.
• Initiates and conducts engineering planning studies to identify public works facilities; reviews and participates in the preparation of environmental assessments and studies; prepares project status reports; and checks private building plans for compliance with City building codes and ordinances.
• Serves as staff to a variety of City commissions, boards, and committees on various engineering matters; and coordinates engineering related activities with other City departments, divisions, and sections and with outside agencies.
• Develops and implements environmental regulatory programs; and analyzes water quality data and prepares regulatory reports as applicable.
• Prepares various applications for state and federal grants; assists in the preparation and administration of budget and capital improvement plans.
• Within City guidelines, recommends and selects contractors; oversees contractor work.
• Manages and/or participates in the preparation of complex engineering studies and reports related to public works and capital improvement projects.
• Provides structural plan review for the most complex development projects and confirms construction documents comply with all code requirements; evaluates alternate materials, design, and methods of construction requests; and establishes schedules and methods for planning, design, construction, rehabilitation, and operation/maintenance.
• Provides technical advice and assistance to City staff.
• Participates in budget preparation and administration; prepares cost estimates for budget recommendations; submits justifications for services, labor, materials and related resources for public works projects and/or programs; monitors and controls expenditures.
• Oversees, reviews, and participates in preparation of environmental assessments and studies related to City and private projects; meets with developers to discuss projects or to resolve design issues; and reviews new development plans.
• Prepares and presents information to City Council and various commissions.
• Performs other or related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of engineering.
• Modern methods and techniques used in the design and construction of a wide variety of engineering projects and programs.
• Modern developments, current literature, and sources of information regarding the assigned area of engineering.
• Applicable laws and regulations relevant to design and construction in the area of assignment.
• Methods, materials and techniques used in planning, design, construction, maintenance/operation, and rehabilitation of a variety of public works facilities and systems.
• Principles, methods, and practices of budgeting.
• Principles and practices of safety management.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances and regulations
• Principles of supervision and training.

Skill in:

• Use of computers, computer applications, and software.
• Use of computer aided design systems.

Ability to:

• Interpret and apply rules, regulations, laws, ordinances, and policies.
• Make complex engineering computations.
• Check, design, and supervise the construction of a wide variety of public and private facilities.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Use a variety of drafting and engineering apparatus.
• Oversee contractor work assignments or work projects.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Plan, assign, and supervise the work of a diverse staff in the accomplishment of engineering projects and programs.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Experience:

Four years of professional-level engineer experience.

Education:

Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in an engineering discipline related to the area of assignment.

PROOF OF EDUCATION

Proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Driver License:

• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License at the time of appointment.
• For positions where ability to drive is not an essential function, the employee must be able to arrange reliable and timely transportation whether through use of a private vehicle, use of government vehicle (when available) or through other private or public transportation for attendance at essential off-site meetings, events, and trainings.

Certification:

Possession of a Certificate of Registration as a professional engineer in the State of California.

PROOF OF CERTIFICATION

Proof of the required certificate and/or license should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.