Engineering Manager

Salary: $191,461.00 - $239,326.00 Annually
Location : Sunnyvale, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-00204
Department: Environmental Services
Division: Sanitary Sewer/Storm Maintenance
Opening Date: 09/21/2026
Closing Date: 10/19/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Description
The final filing date is Monday, October 19, 2026 by 5:00 PM.
The City of Sunnyvale is seeking a dynamic and results-driven Engineering Manager to join the Environmental Services Department. This is a dual engineering and operations leadership position responsible for managing engineering programs and overseeing the operation and maintenance programs for the City's wastewater and stormwater collection systems.

The position directly oversees an engineering team as well as a crew of 14 field staff responsible for day-to-day system operations, preventive maintenance, inspections, emergency response, and regulatory compliance. Candidates should have demonstrated experience leading the operation and maintenance of sanitary sewer and/or stormwater collection systems in addition to a strong engineering background.

The ideal candidate will combine strong technical and engineering judgment with practical operational leadership. The successful candidate will be comfortable working with engineers, supervisors, field crews, contractors, and developers; using operational and asset data to improve maintenance programs and system performance; reviewing development submittals related to water, wastewater, stormwater, and other wet utility infrastructure to ensure compliance with City standards and system requirements; and balancing immediate operational needs with long-term infrastructure planning. The position requires strong communication, problem-solving, team-building, and decision-making skills and the ability to establish effective working relationships across the organization.

This is an on-site leadership position based in the office, with no remote work option.
The City of Sunnyvale offers:

• City paid 2% contribution to a deferred compensation plan.
• Classic CalPERS members have 4% of the employee contributions paid by the City, leaving only 3% for the employee to contribute.
• Comprehensive City paid family medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Excellent Retiree Medical Benefits.

Under general direction, plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates, and manages the staff and operations of the Wastewater Operations Division within the Environmental Services Department, including the City's sanitary sewer and storm drainage programs; manages capital improvement projects; performs engineering design review, modeling, participates in the development of policies and strategies for division operations; manages the effective use of division resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service; provides complex and responsible support to the Deputy Director of Environmental Services - Water Distribution/Sewer Collection in areas of expertise; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from the Deputy Director of Environmental Services - Water Distribution/Sewer Collection. Exercises direct supervision over supervisory, professional, maintenance, and technical support staff.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is a management classification responsible for planning, organizing, reviewing, and evaluating services and activities of the Wastewater Operations Division within the Environmental Services Department. Incumbents are responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities, which include developing and implementing policies and procedures for assigned programs, program evaluation, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Incumbents serve as a professional-level resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses and studies. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within broad guidelines.
Essential Job Functions

(May include, but are not limited to, the following):

• Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Wastewater Operations Division, including the City's sanitary sewer and storm drainage programs; manages capital improvement projects.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, work plans, policies, and priorities for the division; recommends within division policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Participates in the development, administration, and oversight of assigned capital project budgets; determines funding needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; ensures compliance with budgeted funding.
• Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods, and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and makes recommendations to the Deputy Director of Environmental Services - Water Distribution/Sewer Collection.
• Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends discipline.
• Performs project management responsibilities; develops logical and efficient project plans; establishes priorities; monitors and manages task completion; anticipates and avoids problems; works collaboratively and cooperatively with team members and user groups to ensure project accountability.
• Develops and manages requests for proposals for professional and/or contracted services; prepares scope of work and any technical specifications; evaluates proposals and recommends award; negotiates contracts; administers contracts to ensure compliance with City specifications and service quality.
• Manages the planning, organization, and oversight of the City's sanitary sewer and storm drainage programs while ensuring strict compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations to safeguard public health and environmental quality.
• Evaluates the City's future sanitary and storm infrastructure needs based on development trends, population growth, and environmental projections; assesses system lifespan and vulnerabilities to set long-term goals and strategies that ensure future reliable services.
• Manages the full cycle of Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects from planning to completion; ensures projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet high standards of safety, compliance, and effectiveness.
• Assesses and prioritizes current and future CIP projects including sewer main replacements and pump station upgrades; ensures resources are allocated to projects with the most significant operational and community impact.
• Directs and oversees initiatives which align operations with environmental mandates; leads programs to protect local ecosystems from runoff and pollutants, directly impacting the City's environmental footprint.
• Serves as liaison for assigned functions with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces.
• Provides highly complex staff assistance to the Deputy Director of Environmental Services - Water Distribution/Sewer Collection; prepares and presents staff reports and other written materials; supervises the establishment and maintenance of working and official division files; ensures the proper documentation of operations and activities.
• Reviews the work of staff to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Represents the City in meetings with members of other public and private organizations, community groups, contractors, and the public.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of municipal wastewater operations.
• Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
• Answers questions and provides information to the public; investigates and responds to complaints and inquiries from residents, other departments, and agencies.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Physical Demands:
This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds.

When working in the field, must possess mobility to work in changing site conditions; possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend; to climb and descend ladders; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to a weight of 25 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.

Environmental Conditions:
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees also work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or the public in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:
The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in civil, chemical, mechanical, or environmental engineering, or related field; AND

Six (6) years of professional experience in civil, structural, mechanical, or chemical engineering, or wastewater collections and maintenance, including two (2) years of experience in a supervisory capacity.

Knowledge of:

• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned area of responsibility.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Administrative principles, practices, and methods including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, policy and procedure development, quality control, and work standards.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Principles and practices of contract administration and management.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Methods, tools, materials, and functions of equipment used in the construction, maintenance, and operation of sanitary sewer collection systems.
• Pollution control plant treatment systems.
• Complex arithmetic and statistical techniques.
• Research methods and techniques.
• Recent and on-going developments related to the operations of the assigned department.
• Methods and techniques of preparing technical and administrative reports, and general business correspondence.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service, by effectively working with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective manner.
• Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Provide administrative, management, and professional leadership for the Wastewater Operations Division.
• Prepare and administer complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Manage complex projects, evaluate overall project performance, and monitor specific project results.
• Prepare engineering designs, plans, specifications, cost estimates, and recommendations for a variety of sewer utility construction and maintenance projects.
• Perform difficult and complex engineering computations and analysis and make