Principal Engineer

The Position Principal Engineer The City of Ontario is recruiting for a Principal Engineer to join our team! As a Principal Engineer with the City of Ontario, you'll be working in a fun and fast paced environment and be exposed to countless projects including the commercial, industrial, and residential development of 8,000 acres of land, which is estimated to bring in over 150,000 new residents to the City of Ontario over the next 30 years. Join our team and be a part of the many other notable projects moving forward in an effort to revitalize the City extending from the downtown area to the arena district. The ideal candidate for the Public Works Engineering Department will be a person who enjoys working in a fun and friendly team environment. We are looking for a self-motivated individual who is looking for a place where they can continue to learn and grow within a fast-paced group setting. The successful candidates will embody the City's mission and vision as well as the qualities of a "Five Tool Player" -Leader, Thinker, Communicator, Operator and Public Servant - and the City's Customer Service Philosophy- Empathy, Respect, and Problem Solving. NOTE: The Principal Engineer classification is a common classification used in multiple City departments. This recruitment will result in an eligibility list which will be used to fill current and future vacancies within this classification. The current vacancy exists in the Engineering Department of the Public Works Agency. The following procedures will apply: * The Eligibility List will consist of both internal and external applicants who meet the qualifications and successfully complete any required selection processes. * The City of Ontario reserves the right, if necessary, to accept only the first one hundred (100) applications from applicants that best meet the qualification guidelines below. * Qualified candidates whose qualifications best meet or exceed the requirements of the position and needs of the City will be asked to participate in an Examination process that may include a combination of an in-person Panel Oral Interview, in-person Practical Exam, Training and Experience evaluation, and/or in-person Written Exam. Public Works Engineering Department The Principal Engineer assigned to the Public Works Engineering Department will have the opportunity to work in the Engineering Services Division, which oversees the plan check, inspection and permitting processes for all work within the public right of way; the Capital Improvement Project group which includes overseeing a pavement management program of over $7 million dollars per year; the design and construction of a master planned storm drain improvements ranging in value from $5 million to over $40 million; the Land Development Section, managing millions of square feet of industrial warehouses or master planned communities encompassing multiple maps and hundreds of residential units; or the Traffic/Transportation Division, responsible for the City's traffic signals, signage and striping and traffic and transportation related improvements. The City of Ontario is a dynamic leading and growing community in the Inland Empire with a variety of full-time and part-time employment and volunteer opportunities. Ontario is proud to have the reputation of being a progressive City providing solid leadership to its citizens and to the business community. The City provides a full range of services to the community including Police, Fire, Management Services, Community Life & Culture, Community Development, Economic Development, Public Works, Financial Services, Human Resources/ Risk Management and the Ontario Municipal Utilities Company. The City's team is staffed with approximately 1,517 full-time equivalent diverse and talented employees who work to support a common goal of providing excellent service to the community. We invite you to learn more about the City of Ontario by reviewing the City's website including the City's State of the City Address to learn more about the exciting opportunities this position will play in the vital growth of the City in becoming the Premier Community of the Inland Empire! State of the City The Ontario Plan Smart Ontario Downtown Ontario Examples of Essential Functions * Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of an Engineering section, including the planning, design, and construction of Public Works and Utilities infrastructure and systems. * Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for the division and assigned projects; monitors program effectiveness, evaluates service delivery methods, and recommends improvements to enhance efficiency and performance. * Participates in the development, administration, and oversight of division budget; determines funding needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors expenditures to ensure compliance with budgetary guidelines. * Participates in the recruitment, selection, training, supervision, and evaluation of assigned staff; works with employees to correct deficiencies and implements disciplinary actions as needed. * Oversees and directs the procurement and administration of professional and contracted services; develops and approves scopes of work and technical specifications; evaluates proposals and bid documents, participates in selection and award recommendations, negotiates terms, manages contracts, and ensures consultant and contractor performance is in compliance with City standards and applicable regulations. * Leads and manages assigned capital improvement or development projects through all phases, including planning, design, construction, implementation, and close-out; leads project teams, consultants, and contractors in the execution of projects; develops and approves project work plans, budgets, schedules, legal documents service requirements; conducts site visits and field exploration; ensures project compliance with City safety requirements. * Supervises the development and approval of engineering studies and analyses, plans, specifications, and technical reports submitted to ensure sound engineering concepts and compliance with applicable policies, codes, ordinances, and regulations. * Prepares and presents staff and agenda reports and other related correspondence; delivers presentations to various commissions, committees, and boards. * Ensures the maintenance and accuracy of files, databases, and records related to engineering design and construction projects. * Receives, investigates, and responds to complaints in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action. * Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in engineering planning, design, and construction; researches emerging products and enhancements for City use. * Represents the City in professional meetings with members of other public and private organizations, community groups, contractors, developers, and the public. * Monitors and interprets changes in laws, regulations, codes, and technology that may affect operations; updates internal policies and procedures as necessary. * Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols. * Job responsibilities may require travel. * Performs related duties as assigned. In addition to the above, when assigned to Utilities Engineering: * Participates in planning and reporting activities for water, recycled water, and related water systems/infrastructures. * Assists with long-range water resources studies related to groundwater basin management, optimization, development, regulations and compliance, water quality, recycled water, recharge, and conservation. * Coordinates with regulatory and public agencies in relation to water resources. Qualification Guidelines Education: * Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, environmental science, or a related field. Experience: * Five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional civil engineering experience related to civil, water, or utilities infrastructure projects, including two (2) years in a lead or supervisory capacity. Licenses: * Possession of a valid California Driver's License, to be maintained throughout employment. * Possession of a valid registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) issued by the State of California, to be maintained throughout employment. OR Possession of a valid registration as a Traffic Engineer (TE) license issued by the State of California, to be maintained throughout employment Desirable: * Municipal engineering experience. NOTE: Proof of Educational requirements and Certifications/Licenses requirements must be provided by way of attachment to your online application or as an email attachment sent to the Hiring Agency Representative at, or before, time of the reference check process. Acceptable forms of proof include Unofficial Transcripts, Official Transcripts, Photos and/or Photocopies of Institutional Degree/Certifications/Licenses. Supplemental Information How to Apply Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" link at the top of this announcement. If this is the first time applying for a position using , you will be prompted to create a new user account; otherwise, log in with your username and password. Your application and responses to any supplemental questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this position. It is suggested that your application include the following: * List any relevant experience and education that demonstrates that you qualify for the position. * List all periods of employment for at least the past 10 years, beginning with your most recent or present employer (including if applicable, all employment with the City of Ontario). * Separately list each position held, including different positions with the same employer. A resume may be attached to your application but will NOT substitute for the proper completion of your application. Applications that are not properly completed may be rejected. NOTE: Transcripts from colleges, universities or technical schools outside of the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report will result in disqualification from the selection process. Application Process Applicants are required to submit required certification(s) or other required documentation as outlined in the Qualifications Guideline section of this bulletin. Please use the attachment function found on the City's online application to attach copies of the requested certification(s) or other documentation. Failure to attach required documentation may result in the rejection of your application. Please contact the Human Resources/Risk Management Agency if you have any questions regarding the application process. Your application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications. It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Failure to complete these sections may result in the rejection of your application. Supplemental Questions To complete your application for this position, you may be prompted to respond to supplemental questions. This information will be used as part of the application screening and selection process and is designed to help you present your qualifications for this position. This may include a selection step in which your application and supplemental questions are reviewed and scored by a panel of raters familiar with this position. Incomplete responses, false statements, omission, partial information, or AI-generated responses may result in disqualification from the selection process. Your responses should be consistent with the information provided on your application. Please provide succinct, concise, descriptive, and detailed information for each question. If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate question. Email Notices Email is the primary way that the Human Resources/Risk Management Agency or Hiring Department will communicate with you. Please check your email account (including the SPAM folder) on a regular basis for any emails related to the application or selection process. Emails from the City of Ontario will come from "@ontarioca.gov" or "." If you change your email address after submitting your application, please visit and update your profile. Frequently Asked Questions If you have any additional questions regarding the application process, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page. The City of Ontario values the health and wellness of our employees and their families. We understand benefits are an important part of your total compensation and we take pride in offering a comprehensive benefit package. Please check out our excellent benefit packages here. Employees in this classification are represented by the Ontario Association of Management Employees (AOME). For a list of benefits for AOME employees please click here 2025 DH and AOME Benefit Summary. 01 INSTRUCTIONS: The information on your application and the following supplemental questionnaire will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility and to further identify those applicants who are best qualified to continue in the selection process for this position. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, partial information or AI-generated responses may result in disqualification from the selection process. Resumes may be attached, but they will not be accepted in lieu of completing the job experience section of the application or the supplemental questions. Responses to the supplemental questions that indicate "see resume" are considered incomplete. By checking the 'Yes' response below, I indicate that I have read the job bulletin and these instructions for completing the supplemental questionnaire. Additionally, I certify that my application and supplemental answers accurately reflect my training, education and experience; and I understand that my responses are subject to verification. * Yes, I understand the above statement. 02 All appointments to this position are required to provide proof of completion of the listed educational/certificate/license requirements. Acceptable forms of proof include Unofficial Transcripts, Official Transcripts, Photos and/or Photocopies of Institutional Degrees/Certifications/Licenses. This must be provided by way of attachment to your online application or as an email attachment sent to the Hiring Agency Representative conducting the reference check. Failure to provide the required documentation at, or before, time of the reference check process will result in disqualification If you require clarification on this requirement, please call the City of Ontario Recruitment Team at (909) 395-2035. Please indicate that you have read the statement above by selecting "Yes." * Yes * No 03 Do you possess a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, environmental science, or a related field? * Yes * No 04 Please select all licenses/certificates you currently possess. * Professional Engineer (PE) issued by the State of California * Traffic Engineer (TE) license issued by the State of California * I do not possess either. 05 By selecting the "Yes" response below, you are indicating your understanding, if selected for this position, the need to maintain a valid registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) issued by the State of California, to be maintained throughout employment. OR Possession of a valid registration as a Traffic Engineer (TE) license issued by the State of California, to be maintained throughout employment * Yes, I understand the above . 06 Please indicate your years of increasingly responsible professional civil engineering experience related to civil, water, or utilities infrastructure projects. * No experience. * Less than 3 years of experience. * 3 years or more but less than 5 years. * 5 years or more. 07 How many years of experience selected above were within a lead or supervisory capacity? * No experience. * less than 1 year. * 1 year or more but less than 2 years. * 2 years or more. 08 Do you possess municipal engineering experience? * Yes * No Required Question Employer City of Ontario Address 200 North Cherry Avenue Ontario, California, 91764 Phone 909.395.2455 909.395.2000 Website

Created: 2026-04-02