Principal Engineer

Chesterfield County, VA

$84K — $128K *
Energy & Utilities
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
  • 5+ years of progressively responsible engineering experience.
  • Supervisory experience preferred but not required.
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
  • Knowledge of water and wastewater engineering principles and regulations.

Responsibilities

  • Manage impacts on utility systems for land development projects alongside government departments.
  • Evaluate and suggest improvements for water and wastewater systems using engineering analysis.
  • Prepare and review essential documentation such as reports, drawings, and contracts.
  • Collaborate with the public and other agencies on water and wastewater projects.
  • Host and participate in discussions with various stakeholders regarding system design and construction.
  • Supervise and mentor a team of engineers and engineering assistants.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health insurance options.
  • Retirement plan with employer contributions.
  • Paid time off including holidays and sick leave.
  • Professional development opportunities.
  • Work-life balance with a standard Monday to Friday schedule.
Full Job Description
Salary: $84,488.00 - $128,845.00 Annually
Location : Chesterfield, VA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 27-00171
Department: Utilities
Opening Date: 08/31/2026
Closing Date: 9/27/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in engineering or a closely related field; five years of increasingly responsible experience in professional engineering; one year of supervisory experience preferred; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Additional Requirements:
Possession of a Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.

Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of water and wastewater engineering; of pertinent federal, state and local laws and regulations; of engineering project management methods and techniques. Ability to supervise the preparation of engineering design plans, specifications and cost estimates; to communicate effectively orally and in writing; to operate a personal computer and related software and other standard office equipment; to develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers; to supervise subordinate engineers. Pre-employment drug testing, FBI criminal background check and education/degree verification required.
Duties

  • Represent the county as part of a project team to manage impacts to the utilities systems associated with land development proposals in close coordination with the county's Economic Development, Planning, Environmental Engineering, CDOT, and Building Inspector's Office.
  • Evaluate and make recommendations for improvement to the water distribution and wastewater collection systems using engineering analysis, field data, and standard engineering practices.
  • Prepare and review monthly reports, drawings, specifications, cost estimates, and contracts.
  • Interact with the public and collaborate with other agencies, consulting firms, internal and external customers.
  • Host or attend meetings and presentations with diverse groups of internal and external customers pertaining to the design and construction of the public water and wastewater systems.
  • Supervise a team of senior engineers and senior engineering assistant providing the training, guidance, and responsibility for reaching the departments goals and expectations for project completion.
  • Perform other work as required
PLEASE NOTE: Position is open until filled (first review to begin September 7, 2026).

Shift

Monday - Friday; 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Work Location

Utilities
For information on county benefits, view
01

What is your highest level of education completed? (Please answer accurately. Failure to respond accurately will result in disqualification from consideration.)
  • Some High School
  • High School/GED
  • Some College
  • 2 year College degree (Associate's)
  • 4 year College degree (Bachelor's)
  • Master's Degree

02

Do you have a Professional Engineer (P.E.) License or EIT Certification? (Please answer accurately. Failure to respond accurately will result in disqualification from consideration.)
  • Yes
  • No

03

How many years of supervisory experience do you have? (Please answer accurately. Failure to respond accurately will result in disqualification from consideration.)
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 - 3 years
  • 3 - 5 years
  • 5 - 10 years
  • 10 - 15 years
  • More than 15 years

04

How many years of experience do you have in water and wastewater project management (design through construction)? (Please answer accurately. Failure to respond accurately will result in disqualification from consideration.)
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 - 3 years
  • 3 - 5 years
  • 5 - 10 years
  • 10 - 15 years
  • More than 15 years

Required Question

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