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Job Description
Description
Are you a skilled engineering professional with a passion for public service?
Join the City of Palo Alto's Public Works Department as a Senior Engineer, where you'll lead transformative capital projects that directly enhance mobility, safety, and quality of life for our vibrant community.
We are seeking an engaged and responsible candidate who is both qualified to address and interested in the challenging opportunities and responsibilities of this position.
The City of Palo Alto Public Works Department, Engineering division is seeking a Senior Engineer to manage the City’s Streets and Sidewalks Capital Improvement Program, transportation improvements including intersection and signal modifications, traffic calming and other capital improvement projects.
This critical position requires excellent oral and written communication skills and a high level of technical expertise. The Senior Engineer frequently addresses the City Council, Boards and Commissions and public meetings. The Streets and Sidewalk group currently has multiple street and transportation construction projects with an annual budget of $10 million including grant funded projects. Additionally, this group implements special projects including building projects that are important to the community.
This is one of five Senior Engineer positions in the division and plays a vital role in maintaining and enhancing Palo Alto's dynamic and evolving public infrastructure. As a Senior Engineer, you will supervise a work group that typically includes two Project Engineers, two Engineers, one Associate Engineer, consultants, contractors and temporary staff as needed. This position reports to the Assistant Director of Public Works.
Ideal Candidate:- Knowledge of supervisory principles;
- Strong project management skills and experience;
- Knowledge of pavement maintenance and management principles;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills;
- Collaborative working style
- Strives to achieve results using a flexible, open approach to problem solving while remaining sensitive to people issues;
- Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical audience
Explore more about our Engineering group and current projects by clicking HERE.
Essential Duties
Some of the essential functions of this position are as follows:- Supervise staff to include: prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff are trained; and making hiring, termination and disciplinary recommendations;
- Manages complex engineering design and construction projects on time, within budget, and with minimal disruption to surrounding uses;
- Performs project management and oversees technical design for projects, including scope of work, budget, contract and code compliance and public relations;
- Serves as a liaison with employees and external organizations; represents the City at a variety of meetings, public events, training sessions, on committees, and/or other related events;
- Ensures compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations and policies;
- Prepares, reviews, interprets and analyzes a variety of information, data and reports; and makes recommendations and representations based on findings.
To see the full job description click here: SENIOR ENGINEER.
Minimum Qualifications
Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the knowledge and skills, which would typically be acquired through:- BA/BS in a related field and six years of directly related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
Licensing Requirements:- Valid California Driver’s License
- Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of California.
Supplemental Information
The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO). In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both perspective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
For more details visit our Careers Page, by clicking HERE.
Learn more about our Compensation Plan HERE.
Closing Date/Time: 7/2/2025 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Palo Alto
Show morePalo Alto is located about 35 miles south of San Francisco; and 14 miles north of San Jose. Palo Alto, known as the “Birthplace of Silicon Valley” and global center of technology and innovation, is the corporate headquarters for many world-class companies and research facilities such as VMWare, Hewlett-Packard, IDEO, Tesla, and Skype. Home to Stanford University and a top-ranked public school system, Palo Alto also features beautiful and historic residential neighborhoods, vibrant shopping and retail districts.
Palo Alto has a highly educated and culturally sophisticated citizenry that is actively engaged in making a difference both locally and globally. Unique among city organizations, Palo Alto operates a full-array of services including its own gas, electric, water, sewer, refuse and storm drainage provided at very competitive rates for its customers.
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. Many world-class businesses maintained or started offices here, including Amazon, Tesla, Hewlett Packard, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Rivian, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, SAP Ariba, Houzz, Varian Medical Systems, and VMware. Numerous start-ups are also at home in Palo Alto, arguably making it the startup capital of the world.
Stanford University is foundational to the history and prestige of Palo Alto, reflected in the community’s dedication to life-long 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.
Home to picturesque tree-lined streets, bike lanes, and historic buildings that reflect its California heritage, 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 with premium shopping and dining options. Excellent health care facilities, performing arts, and diverse recreational opportunities are just some of this incredibly desirable community’s cherished amenities.
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.
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