Engineering and Asset Director

About Thornton

Thornton is the 6th largest city in Colorado and benefits from its proximity to downtown Denver, Denver International Airport, and the foothills of the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Thornton has a current population of just over 153,000 people and is expected to grow by another 90,000 people in the next 30 years. The city offers both established neighborhoods and newer, affordable homes, creating a safe, sought‑after, and active environment with a wide variety of municipal services.

Thornton has a very diverse population with a wide range of socio‑economic conditions for residents throughout the city.

The Engineering and Asset Director will oversee the following functional areas:

• Capital Project Management (water, sewer, transportation, buildings/facilities, parks)
• Asset Management (real property, fleet, facilities/building maintenance, custodial)

This is a new position for 2026 created through a reorganization, and the department structure is still being finalized; however, the director will have several direct reports to manage the functional areas and oversee approximately 70 full‑time employees. In the 2026 budget, the department is managing roughly 75 projects totaling $ across all funds. Key initiatives of the department include providing excellent customer service and communication to all the departments and the residents impacted by capital projects throughout the city, coordination with related elements in the strategic plan, and anticipation of long‑term resiliency of the city’s infrastructure and assets.

Thornton is searching for a leader who has robust experience delivering capital projects and maintaining city assets that serve a variety of stakeholders and interests. They will be a strong communicator, a relationship builder, and able to set up governing principles to deliver capital projects and replacement of assets in a consistent and thoughtful manner.

Requirements for this position include:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field from an accredited college or university
• Eight years’ progressively responsible experience in professional civil engineering, infrastructure construction and maintenance, including five years of supervisory and managerial experience
• Colorado Professional Engineering License or ability to obtain licensure within six months of hire

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

The salary range is $182,914 to $241,446, plus excellent benefits.

Please apply online.

Marsha Reed, Senior Vice President, Executive Recruitment
mars |