Principal Engineer

City of Hillsboro, OR

$120K — $159K *
Transportation
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a related field.
  • 7+ years of civil engineering experience, including 3+ years in a supervisory role.
  • Proficiency in traffic analysis software such as Synchro and Vissim.
  • Knowledge of multimodal transportation systems and planning.
  • Strong communication skills for conveying technical information.
  • Oregon Professional Engineer licensure or ability to obtain within 6 months.
  • Experience with GIS applications for transportation projects.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the team in implementing the City's Transportation System Plan (TSP).
  • Review land use applications and ensure compliance with TSP requirements.
  • Perform traffic analysis on roadways and intersections.
  • Calibrate the city's travel demand model in collaboration with regional agencies.
  • Draft updates to the city's Transportation System Plan.
  • Manage contracts for transportation planning projects.
  • Prepare presentations for city governance and respond to public inquiries.

Benefits

  • Full-time position with stability and growth potential.
  • Opportunity to lead significant transportation projects.
  • Collaborative environment working across various governmental and regional agencies.
  • Mentorship and leadership opportunities for staff.
  • Involvement in shaping important community infrastructure plans.
Full Job Description
Salary : $120,931.00 - $159,136.00 Annually
Location : Civic Center, 150 E Main Street Hillsboro, OR 97123, OR
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2027-30
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 09/10/2026
Closing Date: 9/20/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

The Principal Engineer will provide technical leadership within this team, helping guide transportation planning, engineering analysis, and complex development projects while advising City leadership and governing bodies.

What You Will Be Doing

The Principal Engineer will lead a team of engineers in implementing the vision of the City's Transportation System Plan (TSP). The work involves reviewing land use applications and external agency projects to ensure any proposed transportation improvements are consistent with the TSP, to ensure the proposed developments do not preclude future TSP projects, and to ensure through analysis no other transportation deficiencies are caused by the development or project. The work also involves continuously updating our Transportation System Plan through refinement plans and new policies. This position requires strong technical skills in travel demand modeling and traffic analysis as well written and communication to convey technical information.

The position is also responsible for being the engineering expert on negotiations, legal documents, policies, and complex engineering problems dealing with design, property acquisition, land use regulations, and traffic operations. The position presents and advises governing bodies on engineering and policies.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
  • Scopes, reviews, and evaluates land use application traffic impact analyses that involves drafting findings and conditions of approval for public transportation improvements.
  • Performs traffic analysis of roadways and intersections.
  • Calibrates the city's travel demand model in collaboration with Metro and Washington County.
  • Drafts minor amendments and major updates of the city's Transportation System Plan.
  • Manages contracts overseeing transportation planning refinement projects such as corridor/area plans and conceptual designs.
  • Collaborates across departments, divisions, and other agencies on land use applications and transportation projects.
  • Represents the city in county, regional, and state forums, policies, and projects.
  • Prepares presentations and serves as the lead engineering presenter and advisor to the Planning Commission and City Council.
  • Prepares or reviews legal documents such as annexation agreements, development agreements, and intergovernmental agreements.
  • Responds to public requests and questions on land use applications, transportation projects, and current transportation conditions in the field.
  • Supervises staff through mentoring and assigning work.

For full job classification details please click

Ideal Candidate
  • Knowledge and experience practicing the framework of the Highway Capacity Manual, Trip Generation Manual, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets.
  • Experience with traffic analysis computer applications: Synchro, HCS, Vissim, Visum, and Vistro
  • Knowledge of applicable federal, state, regional, and local policies and plans.
  • Knowledge and experience with multimodal transportation systems planning, design, and operations for motor vehicle, bicycling, walking, and transit facilities.
  • Ability to effectively and positively communicate technical information in writing, over the phone, in meetings, and in governing bodies hearings.
  • Flexible and comfortable working in a team environment.
  • Knowledge and experience working with GIS computer applications.
  • Experience with negotiating and finding creative solutions pertaining to transportation improvements.
  • Apply safety principles to work activities and decisions regarding transportation improvements.
  • Ability to review traffic signal timing sheets and traffic signal plans.


Current /Upcoming Projects
  • Tualatin Valley Highway Transit & Safety Project
  • Metro Regional Transportation Plan Update
  • Cornell Road: Main Street to 25th Avenue Corridor Plan
  • Tualatin Valley Highway Shared-Use Path from Council Creek Trail to 209th Avenue
  • Tualatin Valley Highway Transit Oriented Development Plan

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a closely related field; and seven years of civil engineering experience, including three years of supervisory responsibilities; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

LICENSE(S) / CERTIFICATIONS:
  • Valid, current Driver's License and safe driving record
  • Oregon Professional Engineer Licensure. If licensed in another state, the ability to obtain an Oregon license within 6 months.

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