PORT PRINCIPAL ENGINEER

Salary: $18,804.00 - $23,297.00 Monthly
Location : Various, Oakland, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026A-019
Division: Engineering
Opening Date: 10/16/2026
Closing Date: 11/6/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Under general direction, Port Principal Engineers plans, organizes, manages and directs the work of a major program, Port engineering design, engineering project management, engineering services or construction activities, engineering utilities business and operations, assuring that performance standards and objectives are being met. Incumbents train and supervise assigned staff.
Examples of Duties
Any one position may not include all the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties which may be performed. Incumbent may perform other related duties at the equivalent level.

• Manages the work of an engineering department, which may include related maintenance and construction activities, construction inspection, design, survey, dredging, engineering services, utilities business, and engineering project or program management.
• Coordinates and reviews engineering related work submitted by consultants, contractors, regulatory agencies, tenants and the public.
• Coordinates work performed by his or her department with personnel in other Port engineering departments and other Port departments.
• Directs and reviews the preparation of final plans, project manual, specifications, agreements, reports and record documents for form and accuracy.
• Manages personnel, construction equipment, tools and materials for the efficient maintenance and construction of Port facilities.
• Formulates procedures for assigned area of supervision; participates in formulation of division procedures; prepares periodic and special reports.
• Develops and implements department's standards, goals and objectives.
• Negotiates third party agreements as well as consultant and contractor contracts, and participates in the resolution of claims.
• Ensures adherence to codes, regulations and guidelines governing engineering activities.
• Prepares, monitors and controls department budget.
• Directs the selection, supervision, work and performance evaluation of department staff; provides for staff training and development.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Develops programs and policies to Meeting the business needs of Port operations.

Minimum Qualifications
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

This position requires education and experience reflecting possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. A typical combination for each of the engineering departments would be graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in engineering PLUS five years of professional engineering management experience with at least three years of experience supervising in the public service.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

To perform the typical tasks and duties of the position successfully, the knowledge, skills and/or abilities listed below are required.

Knowledge of:

• Modern principles and practices of management relative to planning, administering, and actualizing a department engineering program.
• Relevant municipal and state engineering laws, codes, ordinances, specifications and plans, Utility industries rules and regulations
• Understanding of Maritime and Airport engineering operating practices and procedures, methods, materials, and equipment.
• Personnel management, employee relations, team building, budget development and controls, and financial management.
• Port personnel rules and regulations and labor contracts affecting personnel in the Engineering Division.

Ability to:

• Plan and direct engineering, utilities, and/or maintenance projects in accordance with all applicable codes, regulations and guidelines.
• Supervise professional engineers, sub-professionals, administrative personnel, trade and skilled craftspersons and semi-skilled personnel.
• Develop policies and programs, as well as direct and perform administrative functions, such as preparation and review of rate structures, budgets, contracts, plans, designs, project manuals, specifications, cost estimates, reports and professional service agreements.
• Resolve difficult technical and operational problems in an independent and creative manner.
• Give oral presentations of projects and issues before the Board of Port Commissioners, regulatory agencies and the general public.
• Apply Port personnel rules, regulations, and labor contract provisions to manage and resolve personnel matters.
• Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, and procedures, work standards and internal controls.
• Analyze complex administrative and program information, evaluate alternative solutions and recommend or adopt effective courses of action.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties and to work as a team.

THE SELECTION PROCESS
Stage I: Application, PE Registration and Supplemental Questionnaire Evaluation (Pass/Fail) - The first stage in the selection process will consist of an application, PE registration, and supplemental questionnaire appraisal review (pass/fail). Applications submitted without an attached PE registration and completed supplemental questionnaire will not be given further consideration. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement to the next stage. Only the most suitably qualified candidates will be invited to Stage II.

Stage II: Assessment Examination (Weighted 100%) - The second stage of the selection process may consist of a combination of job-related situational project exercises and an oral panel interview designed to assess technical knowledge and any additional other KSAs. Job-related situational project exercises may consist of written exercises, performance exercises or other situational exercises that would assess the KSAs. The Assessment Examination is designed to test your overall aptitude for the position.
Candidates must achieve a scale score of 70 or more on this examination to be placed on the eligible list for employment consideration. The Port of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity.
Additional Requirements
Must possess and provide a valid California certificate of registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) as a Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer or Mechanical Engineer.
Must possess a valid California Class C driver's license at the time and for the duration of appointment.

Must be available for on-call duty as required by emergency situations, or as required for uninterrupted Port operations.

Incumbents in this classification may be assigned either to the Airport or Harbor work location. In order to comply with the security requirements of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for incumbents assigned to the airport and U.S. Customs for individuals who have unescorted access to secured areas of the harbor, each incumbent is required to successfully complete a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background check, which will include a fingerprint-based Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) and a Security Threat Assessment (STA), prior to being considered for this position.

The incumbent assigned to the airport may be required to complete and pass a U.S. Customs Airport Security Program Check (19CFR122.182). This status must be maintained for the duration of employment at the Airport.
The Port of Oakland's benefit program ranks among the best in the region for public jurisdictions and is designed to reward performance and promote a balanced lifestyle, both at the workplace and away from the workplace, for its employees and their families. The Port is committed to the health and well-being of its employees and has been recognized as a FIT-Friendly Employer by the American Heart Association.

• The Port is part of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). CalPERS is a defined pension provided to regular full-time employees that work for the Port. The CalPERS defined pension is based on predetermined formula that factors in an employee's earnings history, tenure of service and age. The retirement formula for new hires is 2% at 62 years of age or 2.5% at 55 for with other CalPERS service and/or reciprocity.
• The Port offers retiree medical benefits for employees and dependents after 10 years of CalPERS service (including 5 years at the Port).
• The Port pays 100% of the premium cost for employees and dependent health insurance coverage not to exceed the Kaiser-HMO Family Plan; cash in lieu of medical benefit is also available.
• The Port pays 100% of the premium cost for dental and vision coverage.
• The Port pays 100% of the premium cost for Long Term Disability (LTD) coverage and reimburses employees for the State Disability Insurance.
• The Port pays 100% of the premium cost for life insurance at one-time annual salary with certain limits.
• The Port offers a Deferred Compensation Plan allowing employees to save and invest money for retirement with tax benefits.

Time Away from Work

• From 2 to 5 weeks of vacation depending on years of employment at the Port.
• 10 days of management leave for employees exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• 1 paid Floating Holiday per year.
• 12 days of sick leave per year after three months of employment which includes 4 days of personal leave.
• 13 paid holidays as well as the second half of the shift on December 24 and December 31.

01

The purpose of this Supplemental Questionnaire is to assess your qualifications, training and experience in specific job relevant areas. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine if you move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses (such as N/A or see application), false statements, omissions, or partial information may disqualify you from the selection process. Therefore, please answer all of the questions thoroughly and truthfully. Your answers to these questions, along with your completed application, will be used to select the most qualified candidates to advance in the selection process.Please indicate that you have read and understand the instructions listed above.

• Yes
• No

02

Describe your leadership approach and your experience leading organizational or technical change. Provide an example of a time you successfully led a team through a significant transition.
03

Describe your experience managing a diverse portfolio of complex projects and multidisciplinary teams. In your response, please include the range of technical disciplines, stakeholder groups, and external agencies involved, the scale, budget, and operational scope of the project, and how you managed cross functional team dynamics to successfully deliver project goals.
04

Maritime, airport, and utility facilities operate 24/7 and present unique operational constraints. Please provide an example of a difficult technical or operational problem you encountered on a complex engineering project in one of these continuous operating environments, and how you independently and creatively resolved it?
05

As a Principal Engineer, how do you foster professional growth and technical development among your team members, particularly when preparing junior or supervising engineers for higher-level leadership and increased project ownership? Please include a specific example of how you have successfully mentored or developed a staff member.
Required Question