Principal Engineer​/Traffic Engineer

First review of applications:
Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

Recruitment may be used to establish an eligibility list for future vacancies.

This recruitment may close at any time without any notice.

The Principal Engineer/City Traffic Engineer leads the City’s Transportation Division, overseeing the planning, development, operation, and maintenance of citywide transportation infrastructure including streetlights, traffic signals, and fiber optic networks. This management-level position is responsible for all aspects of transportation planning and traffic engineering, ensuring safe and efficient mobility throughout the City. The role involves high-level coordination with internal departments, external agencies, and the public, and includes reviewing development proposals, managing contracts, and presenting to City Council and other stakeholders.

The Traffic Engineer also supervises a team of professional, technical, and clerical staff, and advises senior leadership on transportation-related matters.

Find additional information in the Principal Engineer job description.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative and forward-thinking leader who is eager to guide and mentor a young, motivated staff. This individual is excited about building and shaping a team, fostering professional growth, and creating a culture of accountability and innovation. They bring the vision and energy needed to equip the team for success while helping the organization evolve alongside a growing City.

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering, traffic engineering or a related field.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional engineering experience with at least two (2) years in a supervisory or program/project management capacity.

Current, valid certification as a Professional Civil Engineer issued by the California State Licensing Board for Professional Engineers or professional traffic engineer in the State of California.

A valid California driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City’s vehicle insurance policy.

This class is responsible for planning and supervising the activities of the engineering function of assigned work units within the Public Works Department. The incumbent is expected to carry out responsibilities independently and with awareness of good engineering principals, judgement, and safety issues and sensitivities. Assignments are broad in scope and allow for a high degree of administrative discretion in their execution.

The Principal Engineer is distinguished from the Senior Engineer in that the incumbent in the former class is responsible for divisional leadership, planning, organizing, directing, and reviewing the work of staff engaged in the preparation of plans, specifications, designs, estimates, schedules, inspections, surveying, and project management activities for a variety of projects and programs. The incumbent is expected to use initiative and independent judgment in negotiating, prioritizing project activities, exercising cost and budget controls, and ensuring the coordination, quantity, and quality of work performed in accordance with project goals.

Moreno Valley was incorporated as a General Law City, merging the communities of Moreno, Sunnymead, and Edgemont. The city operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The City Council is comprised of an elected Mayor and four Council Members elected by district. The Mayor serves for a two-year term. Each Council Member serves for four years with staggered terms.

The City has a committed, customer-service-oriented workforce comprised of more than 450 employees, who provide a wide range of municipal services, including Public Works, Economic Development, Community Development, Parks and Community Services, and Library services. The City contracts with Riverside County for Police and Fire services.

Applicants possessing the most desirable qualifications at each level, based on a screening of required application materials, including the completed Supplemental Questionnaire, will be invited to continue in the selection process.

The City of Moreno Valley prioritizes and is committed to continuously providing a workplace where equal employment opportunity is afforded to all people. As part of this commitment, The City of Moreno Valley will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodations are needed to participate in the interview process, please contact Human Resources at hr or .