Principal Engineer 2026-00263

The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is looking for a dynamic Principal Engineer to lead our Construction Program in Newcastle, Wyoming. This isn’t just a job—it’s your chance to shape Wyoming’s highways, bridges, and public spaces while guiding a talented team of technicians and engineers. As the Principal Engineer, you’ll oversee highway construction and contract administration from design to finalization. Your projects will range from maintaining city streets to reconstructing major interstate highways and bridges. You’ll work closely with Federal, State, County, and City personnel, utility companies, landowners, and the public, ensuring every project is completed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards—all while fostering a safe, claim‑free environment.

Located in the heart of the Black Hills, Newcastle offers the best of small‑town western living with easy access to fishing, hunting, skiing, hiking, biking, and snowmobiling. Need a dose of city life? Rapid City, South Dakota, is just a short drive away. Plus, Wyoming is one of only nine states with no state income tax! If you’re ready to put your professional engineering skills to work while enjoying the boundless beauty and adventure of Wyoming, apply now. Your next great project—and lifestyle—awaits in Newcastle!

Benefits:

• $2,000 Hiring Bonus
• Relocation Assistance
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance, and Short Term/Long Term Disability
• Pension Plan with a state contribution of 14.94%
• Optional 457B plan with a state contribution
• Paid Vacation and Sick Leave including 10 paid Holidays

Essential Functions:

• 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.
• Manage, coordinate, and organize field inspections, surveys, laboratory testing, material analysis, and quality control to ensure the project is constructed in accordance with plans and specifications.
• Prepare 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.
• Assure projects are completed in accordance with plans, specifications, and design criteria.
• Responsible for engineering recommendations and summaries for a variety of projects.
• Review and approve or reject submittals.
• Ensure the work activities of the engineering staff meet project technical and policy requirements, state statutes, and federal regulations.
• Perform feasibility analysis to ensure cost‑effective solutions.
• Coordinate with other programs, agencies, or outside entities; participate in value engineering studies and public meetings.
• Provide responses as the result of claims, lawsuits, or other public record requests.
• Prepare and coordinate budget recommendations.
• Conduct performance appraisals, make hiring and firing recommendations, and conduct disciplinary actions.
• Train, develop, and mentor staff.
• Advise senior leaders regarding design and project budgets, design and schedules, and contracts.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the engineering section.
• Participate 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; develop, review, and make 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.
• Develop cost estimates for future projects to include design and construction costs; advise senior leaders on the acquisition of engineering‑specific software, hardware, equipment, and materials.
• Affix the PE stamp to the work completed.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge: Knowledge of engineering fundamentals relating to highway geometrics, hydraulic design, soil engineering, and construction practices. Knowledge of legal aspects of supervision, hiring, and firing. Skilled in preparing and delivering technical training and presentations. 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.
• Minimum Qualifications: Education: Bachelor’s Degree (in Engineering). Experience: 2‑4 years of progressive work experience (in Engineering) with acquired knowledge at the level of a Project Engineer. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Professional Engineer’s (PE) License Required at time of hire - (Wyoming PE required within six months of hire date).

Necessary Special Requirements:

• FLSA: Exempt
• The Wyoming Department of Transportation is a Drug‑Free Workplace.
• E‑Verify: WYDOT uses E‑Verify, an Internet‑based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.

This position will supervise the construction staff and projects located in Newcastle, Wyoming. The successful candidate may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Qualifying eligibility and criteria for the hiring bonus: Temporary employees accepting a full‑time position. Current employees accepting a promotional opportunity – recruitment must have been opened to the public. One year of service to WYDOT must be completed; failure to complete this requirement will forfeit the hiring incentive, and funds will be recouped from final pay. Internal candidates would be required to remain in the position for a minimum of one (1) year from their promotion date. Employees would only be eligible for one (1) hiring bonus in a 12‑month period. If the employee elects to downgrade through an active recruitment and/or appointment during the twelve (12) month period, they would be required to pay the bonus back.

The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities.