Principal Engineer/Architect - Public Works

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José 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 San José 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 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY) , or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov .

About the Department

The City of San José, the Capital of Silicon Valley, is one of the nation's best managed cities and one of the top cities in which to live, work, and do business. Moreover, San José is the center of cultural, government and economic activity for the region. The employees of the City of San José have embraced the following values: Integrity, Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, Respect and Celebration. The City's Public Works Department is seeking an individual whose values align with the values of the City's employees.

The Department of Public Works is responsible for delivering capital improvement projects for a wide variety of City facilities and infrastructure, maintaining City facilities and fleet assets, facilitating and regulating development activities, and providing animal care and services. The Department is committed to high-quality service, partnering with the community, and providing an excellent environment in which to work.

Position Duties

The Department of Public Works (DPW) is currently seeking to fill one (1) Principal Engineer/Architect position in the City Facilities and Architectural Services (CFAS) Division. This is a temporary (Overstrength) position that is anticipated to be funded through June 30 , 202 5 , subject to further extension as appropriate . If this position is not extended through the budget process, the city may seek to place you in other internal job opportunities based on your previous work experience.

Salary range(s) for this classification is $ 179,076.82 - $218,123.62 annually . This salary range(s) includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

The Principal Engineer/Architect will support the Library Department (LD) in leading the coordination for the Library Facilities and Customer Experience Planning. This individual will play a key leadership role in driving critical infrastructure initiatives, including supporting the implementation of the Califor n ia State Library Building Forward Infrastructure Grant projects and managing capital and facilities planning process es in collaboration with the LD and consultant s . This individual will act as a leader, ensuring timely and effective project execution , and delivering results that meet organizational and state funding objectives .

Reporting to the Deputy Director, the Principal Engineer/Architect will require the ability to extensively collaborate across the LD, the DPW, Planning, Building and Code Enforcement (PBCE) and other contractors/vendors, while maintaining adherence to budgets, timelines, and plans. Outstanding leadersh ip , a high degree of accountability, and the ability to establish an excellent working relationship with all stakeholders are required to be successful in this position.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and construction of major public works projects, in partnership with the Library Department.
  

• Lead a multi-disciplinary team of engineers, architects, technicians, and inspectors to deliver high-quality, cost-effective, and consistent services.
  

• Oversee engineering/architectural or other technical research; review, analyze, and prepare recommendations to Senior and Executive staff regarding project and/or program scope or objectives .
  

• Direct and coordinate the preparation of cost estimates and project and/or program budgets; monitor budgets and schedules for performance.
  

• Consult with Senior and Executive staff, contractors, other departments, and consultants to plan, design, and construct major engineering/architectural and/or other technical projects.
  

• Direct and coordinate the creation, planning, and management of capital budgets and staffing plans to successfully deliver capital projects.
  

• Oversee the planning and execution of the procurements of design consultants and construction contracts.
  

• Partner with the department’s other executive staff to lead transformation, training, and other process improvement efforts in the City’s capital improvement program.
  

• Prepare technical reports and correspondence as required .
  

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. 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.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the required professional discipline.

Experience: Eight (8) years of progressively responsible, directly related professional experience, including at least three (3) years of experience at a level equivalent to Senior Engineer or Senior Architect.

Required Licensing:

• Possession of a Certificate of Registration in the required discipline.
  

• Possession of a valid State of California D river’s L icense may be required .
  

Form 700 Requirement:

This position requires a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income, and business positions. You must complete and file an “Assuming Office Form 700” with the City Clerk’s Office within the first 30 days of employment with the office.

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

Job Expertise: Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

Decision Making: Identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions .

Collaboration: Develops networks and builds alliances; engages in cross-functional activities.

Vision/Strategic Thinking: Support, promote and ensure alignment with the organization’s vision and values. Understand how an organization must change in light of internal and external trends and influences. Builds a shared vision with others to translate vision to action.

Political Skill: In taking action , demonstrates an understanding and consideration of how it will impact stakeholders and affected areas in the organization.

Creativity: Addresses objectives and problems while questioning traditional assumptions/solutions in order to generate creative ideas and new ways of doing business; exhibits creativity and innovation when contributing to organizational and individual objectives ; seeks out opportunities to improve, streamline, reinvent work processes.

Fiscal Management: Understands the relationship of the budget and resources to the strategic plan; complies with administrative controls over funds, contracts, and procurements.

Communication Skills: Communicates and listens effectively and responds in a timely , effective, positive and respectful manner; written reports and correspondence are accurate , complete, current , well-organized, legible, concise, neat, and in proper grammatical form. Ability to effectively present ideas orally and in writing. Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly and timely , orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

Selection Process:

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application , resume, cover letter and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered, or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses. Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

Please attach an updated resume and cover letter to the application.

Requirement for cover letter:

In the form of a cover letter, please elaborate on how your background and experience make you the best candidate for this position. Be sure to include your experience in the following areas:

• Budget planning and monitoring of various programs and projects
  

• Leading a work unit to achieve a common goal
  

• Public interaction
  

• Customer service
  

Your cover letter should be no more than two pages in length. This response will also be used to evaluate your written communication skills.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Diana Gonzalez at diana.gonzalez@sanjoseca.gov .

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses. Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. 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.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's benefits pagefor detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City’s Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services website. You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an additional perks siteto explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.

Closing Date/Time: 5/12/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• City of San Jose

• 408-535-1285

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