City of Watsonville · 5 hours ago
Principal Engineer
Watsonville, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$134K/yr - $180K/yrThe City of Watsonville is seeking a seasoned, solutions-driven Principal Engineer to lead development review and land use engineering. You will guide private applications through entitlement, planning permits, and subdivision improvements while ensuring projects meet city standards and applicable California laws.
Government Administration
Hiring Manager
Levi Kuhlman
Responsibilities
Lead development review and land use engineering
Guide private applications through entitlement, planning permits, tentative/final maps and subdivision improvements
Ensure projects meet City standards, stormwater/NPDES-LID requirements, and applicable California laws
Oversee city staff and on-call plan-check consultants
Set and apply infrastructure standards
Negotiate conditions of approval, improvement agreements, easements and right-of-way dedications
Coordinate with Caltrans, PG&E, Santa Cruz County, and regional partners
Supervise staff and consultants
Collaborate with the City's CIP (approximately $65 million) where private improvements interface with public facilities
Qualification
Required
Seasoned, solutions-driven Principal Engineer
Experience in development review and land use engineering
Ability to guide private applications through entitlement, planning permits, tentative/final maps and subdivision improvements
Knowledge of City standards, stormwater/NPDES-LID requirements, and applicable California laws (Subdivision Map Act, CEQA interfaces)
Experience overseeing city staff and on-call plan-check consultants
Ability to set and apply infrastructure standards
Experience negotiating conditions of approval, improvement agreements, easements and right-of-way dedications
Ability to coordinate with Caltrans, PG&E, Santa Cruz County, and regional partners
Experience supervising staff and consultants
Ability to collaborate with the City's CIP (approximately $65 million) where private improvements interface with public facilities
Benefits
A generous benefits package
COLA increase anticipated in July 2026
Competitive Sign-On Bonus of Up to $20,000!
Company
City of Watsonville
Watsonville, California is known all over the world for its long and rich heritage as a center for agriculture – especially berries.
Founded in 1868
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageCompany data provided by crunchbase