Principal Engineer
Description:
Salary: $7,900.00 - $8,221.18 Monthly
Location : Newcastle, WY
Job Type: Permanent Full-time
Job Number: 2025-01987
Department: Department of Transportation
Division: Department of Transportation
Opening Date: 08/06/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Determined by Position
Job Classification: ENEG12
Description and Functions
Open Until Filled
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: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, snowmobiling, and more. 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!
This position offers:
**$2,000 Hiring Bonus** See notes for eligibility
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 Human Resources Contact: Keri Griffith / /
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The listed functions are illustrative only and are not intended to describe every function which may be performed at the job level.
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.
Manages, coordinates, and organizes field inspections, surveys, laboratory testing, material analysis, and quality control to ensure the project is constructed in accordance with plans and specifications.
Prepares 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.
Assures projects are completed in accordance with plans, specifications, and design criteria.
Responsible for engineering recommendations and summaries for a variety of projects.
Reviews and approves or rejects submittals.
Ensures the work activities of the engineering staff meet project technical and policy requirements, state statutes, and federal regulations.
Performs feasibility analysis to ensure cost-effective solutions.
Coordinates with other programs, agencies, or outside entities; participates in value engineering studies and public meetings.
Provides responses as the result of claims, lawsuits, or other public record requests.
Prepares and coordinates budget recommendations.
Conducts performance appraisals, makes hiring and firing recommendations, and conducts disciplinary actions.
Trains develop and mentor staff.
Advises senior leaders regarding design and project budgets, design and schedules, and contracts.
Develops and implements standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the engineering section.
Participates 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; develops, reviews, and makes 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.
Develops cost estimates for future projects to include design and construction costs; Advises 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
NOTES:
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. Learn more about, including your rights and responsibilities
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. Supplemental Information
045-Wyoming Department of Transportation - WYDOT-Chief Engineer - District Construction
To learn more about the Wyoming Department of Transportation, please visit us at
Click to view the State of Wyoming Classification and Pay Structure.
URL:
The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities.
Class Specifications are subject to change, please refer to the A & I HRD Website to ensure that you have the most recent version.
Working for the State of Wyoming means more than a job - it's a stable, rewarding career that lets you make a difference while enjoying a great quality of life.
Employees enjoy:
Comprehensive health coverage - medical, dental, and vision plans for you and your family
Voluntary Benefits - including life insurance for you and family members, ambulance, pet insurance, short/long-term disability, flex spending and health savings accounts
Multiple retirement options - including the Wyoming Retirement System and a 457B account, helping you plan for long-term financial security
Generous paid leave and flexible schedules - vacation, sick leave, paid FMLA and 11 paid holidays each year
Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility - for those with qualifying student loans
Training and professional development - to support your career growth and advancement
Employee Assistance Program - Includes paid short-term counseling, legal, financial and work-life benefits and select employee discounts
Wellness Program - Earn paid time off and incentives by focusing on your personal health
Know your full value.
Your paycheck is only part of the picture. The State of Wyoming offers a Total Compensation Calculator that shows the full value of your salary plus benefits, so you can clearly see what your complete compensation package looks like.
Explore your total compensation:
WORKING FOR THE GREATEST STATE IN THE NATION - Wyoming offers a lifestyle you can't find anywhere else - wide-open spaces, clean air, friendly communities, year-round recreation, and no state income tax.
Click here for detailed information or you can watch this short video to learn about our benefit package!.
01
(ENEG12) Do you have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering?
Yes
No
02
(ENEG12) Do you have a Master's degree in Engineering?
Yes
No
03
(ENEG12) Do you have a Doctorate degree in engineering?
Yes
No
04
(ENEG12) Which of the following best describes your work experience Engineering?Experience definition: (This experience includes Engineering experience)
No relevant experience.
Less than one (1) year of relevant experience.
One (1) to less than two (2) years of relevant experience.
Two (2) to less than four (4) years of relevant experience.
Four (4) or more years of relevant experience.
05
(AA) Describe your relevant experience in the box below.
06
(ENEG12) Do you possess a Professional Engineer's (PE) License? - (Wyoming PE required within six months of hire date.)
Yes
No
07
(ENEG12) Please provide your license no. in the box below.
08
(A) Where did you hear about this opportunity?
Goverment jobs
Indeed
Zip Recruiter
Wyoming Workforce Center
Other job sites (Wyoming at Work, Monster, etc.)
Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
Newspaper/Newsletter Advertisement
Career Fair
Human Resources Division
Friend or Acquaintance (Not State Employee)
Current State Employee
Other
09
(A1) If you selected "Current State Employee" please provide the employee's first and last name, and include the department they work for if known. Please limit this response to only one employee. This employee may be eligible for a Referral bonus
10
(A) If you answered Other, please tell us where you heard about this opportunity.
11
(AA) VETERANS' PREFERENCE DISCLOSURE: PER WYOMING STATUTE, current employees of the State of Wyoming are not eligible for veterans' preference. If you are not a current employee of the State of Wyoming, to be eligible to receive veterans' preference you MUST have been a resident of the State of Wyoming for a period of one (1) year or more at any time prior to submitting this application. I have read and understand the veterans' preference disclosure.
Yes
No
I am not a veteran
12
(AA) VETERANS' PREFERENCE: If you are a war veteran as defined in section 101, Title 38, United States Code or are the surviving spouse of a war veteran who receives survivor benefits from the federal government based on the veteran's military service, and wish to claim veterans' preference, please attach the appropriate documentation substantiating your claim. Indicate below your appropriate veterans' preference status. By requesting veterans' preference, you are certifying that you meet the statutory requirements as described in the above disclosure.
Current State Employee
Veteran - DD214 Attached
Disabled Veteran (10% or more) - DD214 and Veteran's Disability Determination Attached
Surviving Spouse of a Deceased Veteran - DD214 and proof of Survivor Benefit Attached
None of the above
13
(AA) Please be advised that an incomplete application WILL NOT be considered for employment. An attached resume' is not required and is not an acceptable substitution for a completed application. Some State of Wyoming agencies use E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities at have read and understand the above statement.
Yes
No
Required Question