Senior Level Principal Civil Engineer Jobs
Senior level principal civil engineer jobs place experienced engineers in charge of project delivery, technical standards, and the junior staff and subconsultants who execute the work. Openings currently lean toward 50% remote and hybrid arrangements across Consulting & Professional Services and Staffing & Recruiting, with employers like GFT, Ursus, and OHM Advisors hiring at this level now.
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INTRODUCTION
GFT is seeking a talented Principal Civil / Structural Engineer to join our team in our Roseville, CA. This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at our Roseville office.
Our specialists have the in-depth knowledge to excel on the most challenging engineering assignments. We provide innovative solutions for water resources structures, including dams, levees, and hydraulic structures; foundations; underground construction; earth structures; groundwater resources; and marginal building sites. Our structural engineering team focuses on both rehabilitation of aging infrastructure and design of new infrastructure solutions, including power houses, dams, flumes, canals, spillways, and gates.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
In this role, you will support critical infrastructure design and construction across the California foothills and mountains. Our projects include canals, flumes, dams, spillways, gates, and other critical hydraulic structures to help solve California’s critical water supply issues. As a Principal Engineer, you will be responsible for technical and business aspects of the firm and may provide expert technical input and/or oversight on large, complex projects. Expertise is required in dam and levee safety; foundation design; seismic evaluation; structural analysis, and development of recommendations for linear infrastructure projects. This position also includes general engineering on hydropower facilities including penstocks, diversion dams, pipelines, headworks, gate structures, canals, flumes, and siphons.
In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:
- Plans and determines scope, resources, schedule, and budget requirements for major and/or complex projects
- Independently designs and/or leads the charge to complete major projects
- Manages and leads major or multiple large projects with multi-disciplinary teams and subcontractors and/or subconsultants
- Independently applies extensive and diversified knowledge of principles and practices to evaluate, select, and apply techniques, procedures, and analyses
- Performs construction support services, including assisting client with bid activities, performs or oversees construction observation, interacts and coordinates with contractors/inspectors/agencies, manages field changes, and closes out projects
- Reviews completed project documents for conformity and quality assurance
- Conducts business development to build a book of business. Generates leads, pursues new opportunities, and develops new markets/clients.
- Works with multi-disciplinary teams for project pursuit and capture.
- Builds and maintains client relationships, works to identify and understand client needs, and manages client expectations. Assists clients with risk evaluation and asset management.
- Manages technical staff to build a high performing team that delivers an exceptional work product.
- Mentors the team in preparation for future challenges.
- Develops new techniques and/or improved processes
- Leads project meetings and presents specific aspects of engineering assignments
- Represents the organization in communications and conferences pertaining to broad aspects of engineering assignments
- Assigns tasks to and directs junior consultants and technicians
- Supervises one or more technical staff
- Trains staff on use of specialty software or proprietary applications
- Assists senior management in implementing business programs, and may manage organizational programs under the direction of senior management
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
What you will bring to our firm:
- Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from an ABET-accredited college or university.
- 15 or more years of increasing responsibility and experience in civil and structural engineering.
- Experience in project management on multi-disciplinary teams, and business and client development
- Professional Engineering license in California, or a state that provides comity with California.
- Expert-level knowledge of civil/structural engineering concepts, theories and practices.
- Proficient in the review and preparation of reports, plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E)
- Working knowledge of AutoCAD, MS Office, and similar computer programs.
- Knowledge of specialized structural analysis computer programs
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
What we prefer you bring:
- Structural Engineering license in California
- Experience in advanced structural modeling software
COMPENSATION
The salary range for this role is $140,000 - $180,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.
FEATURED BENEFITS:
- Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
- Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
- Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
- Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
- Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
- Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
- Incentive compensation for eligible positions.
LOCATION
Location: Roseville, CA
EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Employment Status: Full-Time
CORE BUSINESS HOURS
Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
EEO STATEMENT
GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.
Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.
GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.
APPLICANT NOTICES
Applicants in the County of Los Angeles- Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
Applicants in the City of San Francisco- Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Applicants in the State of California- Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.
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Senior Level Principal Civil Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior level principal civil engineer job?
Employers at this level want candidates who have led multidisciplinary projects from concept through construction, managed client relationships independently, and mentored junior engineers. A professional engineer license is typically expected. What sets candidates apart is a demonstrated record of technical ownership, the ability to win or retain work, and experience guiding design decisions under regulatory and budget constraints.
Which companies hire senior level principal civil engineers?
Companies hiring senior level principal civil engineers right now include GFT, Ursus, and OHM Advisors, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Hiring at this level comes primarily from large engineering and environmental consulting firms, infrastructure owners, and public agencies with active capital programs.
Are there remote senior level principal civil engineer jobs?
Yes, though most roles still expect regular site presence or client-facing travel. About 50% of senior level principal civil engineer openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, concentrated in planning, permitting, and program management functions where fieldwork is limited. Full-time remote roles are less common for positions that require stamping drawings or leading site teams.
What makes a principal civil engineer role senior level?
Senior level principal civil engineer roles are defined by independent technical authority and business accountability, not just years of tenure. These positions own project outcomes, set quality and design standards for a team, and interface directly with clients or agency stakeholders. They also carry a mentoring obligation, shaping the work of project engineers and EITs, and often have a role in business development or practice leadership.
Which industries hire the most senior level principal civil engineers?
Senior Level principal civil engineer roles concentrate in Consulting & Professional Services and Staffing & Recruiting, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive demand because they involve long-horizon capital programs, complex permitting requirements, and infrastructure assets that require licensed senior oversight from planning through close-out.