Principal Engineer 2026-01864

State of Wyoming•Newcastle, WY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is seeking a Principal Engineer to lead its Construction Program in Newcastle, Wyoming. This role involves overseeing highway construction and contract administration from design to completion, managing projects ranging from city streets to interstate highways and bridges. The Principal Engineer will collaborate with various government agencies, utility companies, landowners, and the public to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and to high standards, while maintaining a safe environment. The position is located in Newcastle, offering a western lifestyle with access to outdoor activities, and Wyoming has no state income tax. This position offers a $2,000 hiring bonus (eligibility applies), relocation assistance, health, dental, and vision insurance, short-term/long-term disability, a pension plan with a state contribution, an optional 457B plan, and paid vacation, sick leave, and 10 holidays.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree (in Engineering)
2-4 years of progressive work experience (in Engineering) with acquired knowledge at the level of a Project Engineer
Professional Engineer's (PE) License Required at time of hire - (Wyoming PE required within six months of hire date.)
Knowledge of engineering fundamentals relating to highway geometrics, hydraulic design, soil engineering, and construction practices.
Knowledge of legal aspects of supervision, hiring, and firing.
Able to communicate effectively through verbal and written means to relate specific concepts and ideas to outside agencies, public partners and direction to engineers and technicians.
Able to effectively plan, organize, oversee, and monitor work schedules and projects.
Able to give attention and work under pressure.

Nice To Haves

Skilled in preparing and delivering technical training and presentations.

Responsibilities

Responsible for documentation of project quantities and payment.
Responsible for negotiating and securing agreements with landowners, government agencies, and consultants.
Responsible for meeting requirements of DEQ, BLM, USFS, and other agencies on projects.
Coordinate and develop consensus among the city, county, federal, and department representatives, the general public, and special interest groups to address project impacts and effects at the design and construction level.
Research, locate, and negotiate materials, survey, water, and plant site agreements with private landowners, businesses, and government agencies.
Generate special provisions for all projects to address issues unique to each project.
Initiate and monitor consultant agreements and progress to provide various surveying and engineering services.
Generate plans, summaries, and estimates for maintenance projects.
Resolve and recommend a resolution of contractor disputes and claims.
Review, generate, and negotiate change orders.
Provide fundamental and supplemental training to subordinates.
Manages, coordinates, and organizes field inspections, surveys, laboratory testing, material analysis, and quality control to ensure the project is constructed in accordance with plans and specifications.
Prepares technical engineering studies and/or summaries for a variety of projects.
Responsible for the development of plans and documents.
Responsible for determining equipment & workforce needs & budget requirements.
Assures projects are completed in accordance with plans, specifications, and design criteria.
Responsible for engineering recommendations and summaries for a variety of projects.
Reviews and approves or rejects submittals.
Ensures the work activities of the engineering staff meet project technical and policy requirements, state statutes, and federal regulations.
Performs feasibility analysis to ensure cost-effective solutions.
Coordinates with other programs, agencies, or outside entities; participates in value engineering studies and public meetings.
Provides responses as the result of claims, lawsuits, or other public record requests.
Prepares and coordinates budget recommendations.
Conducts performance appraisals, makes hiring and firing recommendations, and conducts disciplinary actions.
Trains develop and mentor staff.
Advises senior leaders regarding design and project budgets, design and schedules, and contracts.
Develops and implements standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the engineering section.
Participates in selection panels of architects, engineers, and contractors.
Confers with agencies' staff in other states or government levels regarding joint actions taken or to be taken, or in exchange for vital or useful information; develops, reviews, and makes adjustments in a long-range plan for agency (or major program) goals.
Review blueprints, design plans, and specifications for technical merit and owner intent on all projects and quality control, functionality, readability, sustainability, and construction flow.
Develops cost estimates for future projects to include design and construction costs.
Advises senior leaders on the acquisition of engineering-specific software, hardware, equipment, and materials.
Affix the PE stamp to the work completed.