Principal Engineer - Menifee

Career Description · Principal Engineer (Traffic) · OPEN TO THE PUBLIC · This recruitment is being held to establish an open eligible list to fill current and future Principal Engineer (Traffic) positions. · This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lo ...

Job description

Career Description

Principal Engineer (Traffic)


OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment is being held to establish an open eligible list to fill current and future Principal Engineer (Traffic) positions.

This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the City of Menifee.

DEADLINE TO APPLY This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59 p.m.

(PST) on the day the needs of the City are met. Application review for the first round of consideration will take place on Monday, January 19, 2026. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.


THE CITY

The City of Menifee is a vibrant and rapidly growing municipality located in southwestern Riverside County, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for its residents through innovative public service and strategic development.

Under the leadership of the City Manager, Menifee operates through a dynamic organizational structure composed of fifteen (15) departments - Building & Safety, City Attorney, City Clerk, City Manager, Code Enforcement, Community Development, Community Services, Economic Development, Engineering, Finance, Fire Department, Human Resources, Information Technology, Police, and Public Works, each committed to supporting the city's mission of responsive governance, sustainable growth, and public safety.

With a strong emphasis on infrastructure development, community engagement, and innovation, the City of Menifee continues to enhance the quality of life for its diverse and dynamic population.

THE DEPARTMENT
The Engineering Department plays a vital role in shaping the city's infrastructure and supporting responsible development.

The department is responsible for reviewing and permitting all land development maps and plans, ensuring that proposed projects meet city standards and regulations.

It manages agreements with developers to guarantee the installation of public improvements as required for project approval.

The Engineering team also reviews detailed plans and specifications for public infrastructure, oversees grading and construction activities related to private development, and leads the design and construction of city-funded public works projects (Captial Improvement Program (CIP) Division).

In addition, the department coordinates with neighboring cities and regional agencies on collaborative projects that benefit the Menifee community. Through these efforts, the Engineering Department ensures safe, efficient, and sustainable growth across Menifee.


THE OPPORTUNITY
Responsibilities

The Principal Engineer will be assigned to the Traffic Engineering Division within the Public Works and Engineering Department.

This is a key supervisory role responsible for overseeing the planning, design, and delivery of traffic and transportation infrastructure projects including roadway improvements, traffic signals, intersection safety, and mobility enhancements, and overseeing the review of land development project submittals during entitlement and final engineering.

The successful candidate will manage professional and technical staff, administer budgets and contracts, and serve as project manager on complex traffic engineering initiatives.

This position will coordinate with developers, contractors, City departments, and external agencies to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective execution of the City's traffic engineering programs and capital improvement projects.

The Principal Engineer will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

Plans, prioritizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of staff delivering traffic engineering services.
Establishes schedules, methods, and resource needs for traffic operations, roadway improvements, and signal systems; allocates resources with management approval.
Develops and implements goals, objectives, policies, and procedures; recommends improvements and ensures compliance with standards and regulations.
Participates in staff selection, training, performance evaluation, and discipline to maintain a high-performing team.
Prepares and administers budgets; submits recommendations, monitors expenditures, and manages capital improvement program funding for traffic projects.

Serves as project manager for complex traffic engineering initiatives, overseeing planning, design, public meetings, bidding, and construction; develops scope of work, timelines, and priorities.

Reviews and approves traffic engineering plans, permits, maps, and construction changes; makes technical decisions and establishes criteria and standards.
Reviews and approves traffic scoping agreements, traffic studies, conceptual entitlement plans, and final engineering plans for land development projects. During entitlement, participates in the writing of the traffic related portions of conditions of approval for land development projects.
Responds to inquiries from the public, contractors, developers, and agencies; investigates complaints and recommends corrective actions.
Prepares reports, studies, and cost estimates for current and future traffic and capital improvement projects.
Oversees inspections of roadway and traffic infrastructure projects to ensure quality control and compliance with codes and safety standards.

Participates in the inspection of traffic related improvements such as traffic signals, streetlights, and signing and striping during construction of land development projects.

After construction is complete, reviews as-built plans as part of the acceptance process for public improvements.
Coordinates activities with City departments, developers, consultants, and external agencies; represents the City in meetings, workshops, and conferences.
Maintains records, prepares technical documentation, and ensures accurate data management.
Builds and sustains positive working relationships with community organizations, agencies, and stakeholders.


MINIMUM AND DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will possess five (5) years of civil engineering experience in a municipal or similar setting, including one (1) year of supervisory experience.

Additionally, they will hold a bachelor's degree or higher in civil engineering or a closely related field.

Required Licenses And Certifications

Possession of an appropriate valid driver's license to be maintained throughout employment.
Possession and maintenance of a Registered Professional Civil Engineer license in the State of California.

Minimum Qualifications

Click here to access the complete classification description, including the experience, education, and physical and mental requirements for this job.

NOTE:
Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services (N.A.C.E.S.).


RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resources (HR) reviews all application materials to determine whether candidates meet the established minimum and preferred qualifications. Those who qualify will be advanced to the next stage of the recruitment process. All applicants will receive email notifications regarding their status.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)

Applications and supplemental materials will be reviewed to identify candidates whose qualifications best align with the essential requirements of the position.

Only those applicants who meet the criteria outlined in the job bulletin will advance to the next phase of the selection process.

Appraisal Interview

Applicants will participate in an oral interview conducted by a panel of subject matter experts.

Evaluations will be based on responses to structured questions specifically designed to assess each candidate's qualifications and suitability for the position.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

Eligible List:
Once the appraisal has been completed, HR will establish an eligible list of candidates.

Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; inspect City development sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary or construction access points; to operate a motor vehicle to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.

Acute hearing is required when providing telephone and personal service.

This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas and to conduct inspections may be required.

Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.

Employees in this bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.


ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Employees primarily work in a standard office setting and may be exposed to varying temperatures, moderate noise levels, no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances, and often work with constant interruptions.

Employees may work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances fumes.

Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures and City codes.

WORKING CONDITIONS

City employees are expected to work overtime, weekends, evenings, and holidays as required to accommodate the City's needs, in addition to responding as a Disaster Services Emergency Worker.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "". If your email address should change, please update your profile