City of Palo Alto

  • Assistant Engineer (Office of Transportation)

  • City of Palo Alto
  • Palo Alto, California United States View Map

Job Description

Description

Build your engineering career while helping create safer, more connected streets.
About the Opportunity

The City of Palo Alto’s Office of Transportation is seeking an Assistant Engineer to support street design, signage and striping, and parking and curb management. This entry-level role combines technical analysis, creative problem-solving, and public service through projects that shape how people move through the city.

With guidance from experienced colleagues, you’ll gain hands-on experience in both office and field settings. Your work could include developing a street design concept, studying neighborhood traffic conditions, evaluating parking needs, or preparing maps that help residents understand a proposed improvement. You’ll learn how engineering decisions move from data and ideas to practical solutions.
About the Office of Transportation
The Office of Transportation brings together transportation planning, traffic engineering, Safe Routes to School education, parking programs, and transit planning. For an engineer beginning their career, this means opportunities to explore different aspects of transportation and discover where your interests can grow.

You’ll join a team whose work spans neighborhood traffic calming, bicycle and pedestrian connections, street safety improvements, and downtown parking technology. Working across disciplines in a small-city setting, you’ll see how individual assignments connect to larger projects and community goals.

With a strong slate of upcoming projects and affiliate membership in the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), the office offers a setting where you can contribute ideas, broaden your experience, and see the impact of your work.

What You’ll Work On
  • Street improvements: Assist with street design concepts, signage, and striping.
  • Parking and curb management: Help evaluate parking conditions and support program improvements.
  • Data and analysis: Conduct traffic counts, speed and parking studies, and interpret findings.
  • Visual communication: Prepare concept drawings, maps, and presentation materials.
  • Community response: Help address transportation questions and concerns from residents.
  • Project support: Assist with studies, consultant coordination, and project implementation.


The Ideal Candidate
You’re curious about how streets work and interested in making transportation safer and more sustainable. You enjoy examining a problem, exploring design options, and explaining your ideas clearly. You’re also ready to listen, ask questions, and build your skills with guidance.

We’re looking for someone who brings:
  • An analytical mindset and an interest in using data to inform decisions.
  • Design and visual communication skills that help turn ideas into understandable concepts.
  • A collaborative approach and comfort working on a variety of assignments.
  • A service-oriented attitude when communicating with residents, consultants, and colleagues.
  • Initiative and a willingness to learn, including openness to feedback and new perspectives.

Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification, knowledge of signal operations or Complete Streets design, and experience with AutoCAD or GIS are preferred, but not required.
Apply Today
Ready to put your engineering skills into practice? Join us in shaping safer, more connected streets in Palo Alto. If you’re curious, collaborative, and eager to learn, we encourage you to apply!

Applications close Sunday, October 18, 2026. Apply early to give yourself time to complete your application.

Essential Duties

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions: Positions allocated to this level in the Utilities Department, Water-Gas-Wastewater Engineering Section may perform the following duties:
  • Works with the public to provide utility customer service for water, gas, and wastewater utilities.
  • Works with contractors and the department's construction crews to coordinate the installation of the City's utilities distribution, collection, and service facilities.
  • Performs design work and works with draftspersons engaged in the preparation of complete improvement projects of more difficult types.
  • Writes and reviews utility department specifications and reviews plans to ensure conformance with standards and specification.
  • Writes reports, prepares estimates, and conducts studies in connection with various engineering projects.
Essential Functions: Positions allocated to this level in the Public Works/Operations Division or Public Works Engineering Division may perform the following:
  • Develops design and operational procedures for landfill that meets all regulatory requirements.
  • May assist project manager for landfill phase-out design and implementation which includes: scheduling; cost estimating; and presentation of materials for approval by department and City Manager; analysis of equipment needs; development of operational procedures and training programs for employees.
  • Observe and inspect project during construction; may need to observe construction in various areas including soft soil or upper levels of new building construction.
  • In conjunction with other City staff, develops and explores new concepts and ideas related to pavement management and solid waste management.
  • Assists in preparing the Division's operating budget, quarterly reports, and other related reports required by various agencies; develops and prepares management information system to monitor and control operation.
  • Assists in the preparation of designs, specifications, plans, estimates, and reports for projects.
  • Prepares computerized data with respect to Assessment District proceedings and Capital Improvement Projects.
  • Utilizes computer in administering construction contracts; prepares monthly progress payments, contract change orders, interpretation of project with plans and specifications, coordinates final inspection and job closeout.
  • Utilizes computer in monitoring the project budget including revisions, budget allocations, and assures full value received.
  • Acts as liaison with and controls professional services of consultants on conceptual design, working drawings, and specifications and estimates.
Positions allocated to this level in Transportation may perform the following:
  • Performs professional level, transportation planning and engineering tasks for assigned activities, projects, and programs.
  • Assists in conducting special studies and/or in the execution and implementation of special projects.
Essential Functions:
  • Works with public groups and individuals to resolve community concerns regarding the transportation system.
  • Develops solutions to traffic and/or transportation problems and deficiencies in a professional and cost-effective manner.
  • Studies and evaluates street designs and design proposals, safety and accident record data, traffic and parking information.
  • Conducts traffic counts, speed studies, travel time studies, parking studies, and analyzes and interprets data.
  • Maintains traffic engineer maps and information systems.
Related Functions:
  • Participates in consultant selection.
  • Assists in managing consultant contracts.
  • May assist in performing inspections during peak periods.
  • Assists in the preparation of the utility's annual budget and capital improvement program.
  • Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.


Minimum Qualifications

Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills and abilities, which would typically be acquired through:
  • Bachelor of Science degree in civil, mechanical, or traffic engineering or other approved engineering curriculum depending upon area of assignment.

Special Requirements:
  • Possession of a valid California Driver's License


Supplemental Information

The Selection Process:
  • Applicants will receive recruitment status notifications via email. Governmentjobs.com account also has notification status updates.
  • Applicants will be screened throughout the posting process and highly qualified candidates may be invited to interview at any time after the posting closes.
  • The screening process for this position typically may include a virtual recorded interview and/or panel interviews preceding final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.

Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.

This position is represented by Service Employee International Union (SEIU).

Compensation (SEIU) : Comprehensive compensation plan, to learn more click HERE.

The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

See our Benefits at a Glance Bookletfor more details.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking HERE.

Closing Date/Time: 10/18/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
City of Palo Alto

City of Palo Alto

650-329-2376

The Community


The birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, is a community of approximately 68,000 residents and nearly 100,000 jobs. Located on the mid-Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technology, medicine, and green innovation. The community's treelined streets and historic buildings reflect its California heritage, and, at the same time, many world-class businesses maintain or started offices here, such as Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Amazon, Broadcom, Hewlett-Packard, Houzz, Rivian, SAP and SAP Ariba, Tesla, and Varian Medical Systems. Numerous start-ups are also at home in Palo Alto, arguably making it the start-up capital of the world. Stanford University is foundational to the history and prestige of Palo Alto, reflected in the community's dedication to lifelong learning. Stanford's cultural and educational offerings are integral to the vibrancy and charm of Palo Alto, while the City's exceptional K-12 school district ranks among the top public-school systems in the country. With more than 50% of adult residents holding a graduate degree or higher, Palo Alto is frequently listed as one of the most educated cities in the nation. Palo Alto boasts a genuine sense of community and an active citizenry with strong environmental values. Beautiful neighborhoods are complemented by vibrant commercial corridors and a bustling economy featuring premium shopping and dining options. Excellent healthcare facilities, performing arts, and diverse recreational opportunities are some of the community's incredibly desirable and cherished amenities. To learn more, visit https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/City-Manager/Latest-News

City Government

Palo Alto is a full-service charter city with a council-manager form of government. The seven-member City Council is elected at large, and the City Council annually selects the Mayor and Vice Mayor from among its members. The Mayor and City Council appoint the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, and City Auditor. The City Manager is responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the City. Palo Alto is organized into 15 departments/offices with 1,093.10 authorized positions in FY 2025. There is also a FY 2025 capital budget of $316.2 million. Palo Alto owns and operates its own utilities, including electricity (carbon-neutral), gas, water, wastewater, and an expanding fiber network. This dynamic municipal environment ensures an ever-engaging platform for unique problem-solving and advances new initiatives, including sustainability, broadband, and effective service delivery. Community assets also include five libraries, 36 parks, five community centers, a museum and zoo, youth centers, a general aviation airport, an 18-hole golf course, a regional water treatment plant, and wildland open space preserves at the San Francisco Bay and in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains offering 41 miles of walking/biking trails in addition to its police, fire, and ambulance services. Palo Alto has long been a leader in sustainability, and the City's ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals are part of what sets it apart. Since the City's first Climate Protection Plan was passed in 2007, Palo Alto has set goals that exceed State and Federal targets. Today, the City's goal to reduce emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2030 (the "80x30" goal) and achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 guides sustainability efforts. An award-winning City, Palo Alto is recognized nationally as innovative and well-managed. City services and performance also receive impressive marks from community members in the Palo Alto Community Survey.

Many of those ratings put City programs and services in the highest percentiles among the hundreds of benchmark cities. Palo Alto makes decisions through comprehensive processes and proactively seeks to involve its extremely informed, educated, and engaged residents. Projects are naturally a cooperative effort among the City Council, Boards, Commissions, Committees, engaged residents, neighborhoods, businesses, property owners, and staff.

Join an Award Winning Team 

Palo Alto is an award-winning City recognized nationwide as innovative and well-managed. Palo Alto is one of a small number of California cities with a AAA bond rating. Recently, Palo Alto became one of the most livable cities in the U.S. by Livability.com. It's the only city to receive the Platinum Beacon Award in sustainability best practices by California’s Institute for Local Government. We offer a variety of career paths that relate to building and improving communities. The City has fourteen departments employing 1,000 full-time staff. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and library professionals enhance community life. Utilities provides electric, gas, water, sewer and other services. Internal services departments help manage, staff, and protect the City.

Want to learn more about our benefits? Learn more by reviewing our "Benefits at a Glance Booklet."

Contact Us

Phone: 650-329-2376   

Email: Recruit@paloalto.gov   

Location: City Hall, 1st Floor | 250 Hamilton Ave 94301 | View Map

 

Show more
Apply Now Employer Profile

MORE JOBS

Show More