Principal Engineer

Principal Engineer City of Durham, NC
• Durham, NC, United States

Salary : $85,653.00 - $ Annually
Location : Durham, NC
Job Type: Full time with benefits
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 25-05660
Department: Planning & Development
Opening Date: 10/03/2025
Closing Date: Continuous

Position Description

Work. Serve. Thrive. With the City of Durham.
Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.

Hiring Range: $85,653 - $132,772.

Hours:

8:00 am – 5:00 pm. A flexible work environment, top‑notch management, highly qualified, competent staff and opportunities for career advancement and professional success make the Planning & Development Department a great place to work. We help plan and direct Durham’s growth to support a high quality of life, a robust economy, and a sustainable, equitable, and accessible Durham for generations to come. We work collaboratively with other agencies and the community in a fast‑paced, innovative environment looking for solutions to today’s land‑use, community planning, and infrastructure challenges.

If you’re talented, creative and focused on serving the community, join our team!

This position will work in the Development Infrastructure Division of the Planning and Development Department and will serve as a Principal Engineer in the Stormwater Review Group. The primary purpose of this position is to ensure compliance with stormwater regulations through the independent review of development plans. It requires a sound knowledge of hydrology, hydraulics, and stormwater control measures (SCMs) obtained through education and experience.

Also, knowledge of stormwater regulatory requirements will be needed in fulfillment of responsibilities. Good customer service skills as well as strong verbal and written communication skills are needed for routine communication with the development community to assist them in complying with applicable stormwater requirements. Field inspections of SCMs are conducted for construction and as‑built drawing/certification acceptance. Solid organization and administrative skills are required to track multiple projects and document project status.

Working knowledge of databases (Excel/Access) and ArcGIS is needed in the fulfillment of job duties. Other duties include providing administrative support, technical support, contractual support, attending meetings, and other duties as assigned.

• Manages projects, programs, and assigned department operations; develops and administers contracts; develops operational policies and procedures; establishes project and unit goals; develops project scope, budgets, and schedules; trains staff; improves safety and operational processes; and assists with preparing applications for and managing grants.
• Oversees data collection and analysis; conducts engineering studies; creates work plans and processes, identifying locations/areas requiring improvement; recommends and implements engineering and safety solutions; and tracks post‑implementation project progress and requirements.
• Performs field inspections and monitors operations to ensure compliance with safety and other applicable regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Prepares, reviews, and analyzes engineering plans and bids, drawings, reports, contracts, agreements, presentations, specifications, request for proposals/qualifications, and other documentation; drafts ordinances and City Council communications; coordinates the review of and/or reviews design submittals from internal and external staff; develops technical specifications; and maintains records, logs, and databases.
• Assists with the coordination of and/or attends public meetings; provides technical expertise and consultation to City departments and external agencies; and provides training.
• Designs, implements, and evaluates special projects; may create drawings and plans as required.
• As assigned, an incumbent may serve as a lead worker, assigning work and monitoring work completion, or supervise paraprofessional and support staff, including conducting performance evaluations; coordinating training; and implementing hiring, discipline, and termination…