Principal Civil Engineer; Development Services

Overview

Come join our Team! Check out this video to see what it is like working for the City of Newport Beach!

This full‑time vacancy in the Public Works Department Development Services Section is led by the Public Works Director, City Engineer, and City Traffic Engineer. The front line position is responsible for leading and managing plan check, engineering, and permitting staff; overseeing development processing/permitting programs and private development and utility work specifically in Public Right of Way and Encroachment review; and providing staff assistance to the Public Works Director, City Engineer, and City Traffic Engineer.

• Application Evaluation:
  The recruitment will remain open on a continuous basis until filled. The first review of applications will occur on Monday, February 23, 2026. Candidates are required to submit a resume for the application package to be considered complete. Those deemed most qualified by the online application will be invited to an interview.
• Interview:
  Tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Passing applicants will be placed on an eligibility list that may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.

This position may work a 5/40 or 9/80 schedule. The City offers an excellent benefit package and membership in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is based on appointment date and membership status with CalPERS and the employee is required to contribute 8% (or half the normal cost, whichever is higher) of pay toward the retirement benefit.

Please see online job specification for a more detailed description of qualifications.

Required

A combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities may be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Experience: Five years of increasingly responsible professional civil or structural engineering experience including two years of lead supervisory and project management responsibility.
• Education: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil or structural engineering or related field.
• License/Certificate: Due to the performance of some field duties which require the operation of a personal or City vehicle, a valid and appropriate California driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required.
• Possession of a Certificate of Registration as a professional civil engineer in the State of California.
• As assigned, possession of, or ability to obtain within one year of appointment, International Code Council Certified Plans Examiner certificate.

Please Note: Candidates deemed most qualified, as reflected in their application materials, will be invited to continue in the recruitment process. The prospective candidate must successfully complete a thorough background review, including being fingerprinted by the Newport Beach Police Department. The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application.

Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature, date, surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered.

In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of Newport Beach Employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.