Manager of Engineering / Assistant City Engineer

Manager of Engineering / Assistant City Engineer

Salary

$132,329.60 - $206,190.40 Annually

Location

Irvine, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

04119

Department

Public Works & Sustainability

Opening Date

06/08/2026

Closing Date

6/26/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

We are recruiting for one vacancy and this recruitment will establish an eligibility list that will expire on June 26, 2027.

Interested applicants should submit their application as soon as possible. This recruitment may close at any time without notice.

Description

The City of Irvine is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Assistant City Engineer to provide strategic leadership, technical expertise, and operational oversight within the Public Works Project Delivery division. Reporting directly to the City Engineer, this key leadership position plays an integral role in planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating complex engineering programs and projects that support the Citys continued growth and exceptional quality of life. The Assistant City Engineer oversees engineering personnel and serves as a trusted advisor on critical infrastructure initiatives, ensuring projects are delivered efficiently, responsibly, and in alignment with the Citys long-term goals.

This position is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the Citys Capital Improvement Program, overseeing the planning, design, funding compliance, procurement, and construction of a diverse portfolio of public infrastructure projects. The Assistant City Engineer provides direction on complex engineering matters, manages consultant and contractor relationships, administers professional service agreements, and ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards, including California Public Contract Code requirements. The successful candidate will balance strategic vision with practical execution while managing multiple priorities, budgets, schedules, and project teams.

The ideal candidate is an accomplished engineering professional with strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills. They will possess experience managing complex public works and capital improvement projects, supervising professional and technical staff, and collaborating with elected officials, executive leadership, community stakeholders, and regional partners. The Assistant City Engineer will regularly represent the City in meetings and public forums, working closely with agencies such as OCTA, Caltrans, utility providers, developers, and members of the community to successfully deliver infrastructure projects that enhance mobility, sustainability, and public service throughout Irvine.

The following duties are representative of the responsibilities assigned to this classification and are not intended to be all-inclusive. Additional duties may be assigned as needed.

• Plan, direct, coordinate, and oversee a broad range of engineering, traffic engineering, capital improvement, development review, and project management activities. Provide technical expertise and strategic guidance to staff, developers, consultants, public agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Direct and supervise professional, technical, project management, and engineering staff engaged in the planning, design, review, and implementation of capital improvement and development projects. Oversee consultant and contract staff and ensure effective project delivery.
• Manage personnel functions including recruitment, training, performance evaluation, employee development, disciplinary actions, and workforce planning. Establish performance objectives, operational priorities, and service standards.
• Oversee administrative and operational functions including work program development, budget preparation and administration, expenditure monitoring, consultant procurement, contract administration, policy development, and approval of technical reports, correspondence, and City Council and Commission agenda materials.
• Interpret and apply engineering principles, municipal codes, ordinances, policies, and regulatory requirements. Provide guidance to staff, developers, permit applicants, and the public regarding City standards and development requirements.
• Serve as a primary liaison with developers, property owners, residents, consultants, elected and appointed officials, and representatives of local, regional, state, and federal agencies. Investigate and resolve complex issues, concerns, and stakeholder inquiries.
• Allocate staff and resources to support departmental priorities, strategic initiatives, and organizational objectives. Administer consultant contracts and oversee project schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
• Attend and participate in community meetings, public hearings, Commission meetings, and City Council meetings. Prepare, review, and present technical reports, recommendations, and policy proposals.
• Manage and oversee the Citys most complex and high-profile engineering, transportation, development, and capital improvement projects. Review project progress, provide technical direction, and ensure compliance with applicable standards and regulations.
• Review engineering plans, studies, specifications, and related documents to ensure technical accuracy, regulatory compliance, and adherence to engineering best practices.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with City leadership, City Council members, regulatory agencies, developers, consultants, business organizations, community groups, and the public.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and professional development opportunities to staff while fostering a collaborative, customer-focused, and high-performing work environment.
• Develop and implement departmental goals, policies, procedures, and long-range strategic plans. Identify and pursue grant opportunities and other funding sources to support departmental initiatives and capital projects.
• Maintain current knowledge of engineering principles, project and construction management practices, municipal operations, transportation planning, capital improvement programming, development review processes, contract administration, and applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Represent the department and City in professional, technical, and public forums, and effectively communicate with a diverse range of stakeholders regarding complex engineering and development matters.
• Act as back up to the City Engineer in providing review and approvals for project plans and specifications, subdivision maps, and other official documents as delegated by the City Engineer.

Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Traffic Engineering, or a related field, and six (6) years of increasingly responsible professional engineering experience, including project management, development engineering, capital improvement projects, and/or public infrastructure programs. Experience supervising professional and technical staff and working in a municipal environment is desirable.

Licenses and Certifications

• Possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer issued by the State of California, and the ability to maintain such certification throughout employment.
• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License.

Supplemental Information

Your Team

The Mission of the Employees of the City of Irvine is to create and maintain a community where people can live, work, and play in an environment that is safe, vibrant, and aesthetically pleasing. We are one team that exists to serve our community in the continual pursuit of a City that offers an exceptional quality of life. The City of Irvine's five values of Humility, Innovation, Empathy, Passion, and Integrity reflect the interests and needs of the community, and the level of service they expect and desire. We are One Irvine through embrace of a team-oriented approach by living our values every day.

The Public Works & Sustainability Department combines the strengths of Business Services, Transportation Planning & Mobility, Infrastructure Maintenance & Operations, Capital Project Delivery, and Sustainability & Environmental Programs to create a unified approach to infrastructure management and sustainability. City assets include streetscapes, open space, City parks (community and neighborhood), athletic fields, bike trails, roadways, traffic signals, and more. The Capital Improvement Program has an annual delivery of $100 million in capital projects.

Supplemental Information

The Process

The selection process will include an examination and conduct a background investigation prior to appointment. This recruitment may establish an eligibility list to fill future positions in similar and/or lower classifications within the organization.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Irvine is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. We encourage you to inform Human Resources at least two business days prior to the first phase of the selection process if you have a disability that may require an accommodation.

E-Verify

The City of Irvine participates in E-Verify. In compliance with federal law, all employees must provide verification of identity and employment authorization at the time of hire. For additional information, please review the E-Verify Participation and Right to Work notices.

01

Please summarize your experience in evaluating, modifying, and implementing improvements to long-standing set of standard operating procedures that are no longer effective.

02

Please summarize your experience in managing a team of professional project managers and engineers to advance a complex and diverse capital improvement program for a public agency.

03

Please summarize your experience in managing multiple funding sources to support the delivery of a large capital improvement program, including grants and other restricted special funds.

04

Please summarize your experience in serving as a primary liaison with developers, property owners, residents, consultants, elected and appointed officials, and representatives of local, regional, state, and federal agencies. Investigate and resolve complex issues, concerns, and stakeholder inquiries.

Required Question

Employer City of Irvine

Address One Civic Center Plaza

Irvine, California, 92606-5208

Website http://www.cityofirvine.org/jobs