Senior Engineer

Senior Engineer

Salary

$85,975.97 - $124,803.95 Annually

Location

700 N. Main St., Las Cruces, NM

Job Type

Full-time Regular

Job Number

D063 06-26 MD

Department

Utilities

Opening Date

06/01/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Nature of Work

Develops and delivers professional civil engineering solutions from planning, scoping, to design for the construction of public infrastructure improvements. Serves as project manager for the design, planning, and operations of various engineering projects and programs to ensure quality services, meet strategic objectives, and comply with federal, state, and local regulations.

If you're an experienced engineer looking for meaningful work and a sustainable pace, this role offers a solid alternative to consulting and private-sector churn. Additional benefits of the position include:

• No billable hours, client deadlines or sales pressure
• Long-term and short-term project planning
• Authority to make technical decisions that impact real systems
• Opportunity to see projects through from concept to operation
• Work that directly supports public safety and community well-being
• Collaboration with operators, inspectors, and leadership is part of the job
• Stable workload and predictable expectations
• Standard schedule: Monday-Friday. Alternative schedules may be considered with department approval to include some remote work.

This position includes a comprehensive benefits package designed for long-term security and work-life balance.

Health Coverage

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Employer pays 82% of premiums (Vision is 100% Employee paid)
• Supplemental coverage options available.

Leave

• Annual leave accrues based on service (80-160 hours per year)
• Sick leave up to 96 hours per year
• 16 hours of personal leave effective on hire date and renews annually.
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave, FMLA, and tuition reimbursement after probation

Retirement

• Defined benefit retirement through Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA)
• Additional retirement options available (457 plans)
• Employer contribution: 17.80%
• Employee contribution: 10.65%
• Details at www.nmpera.org

Environmental Factors

Position functions approximately seventy (70) percent in an office environment and thirty (30) percent in a field environment with exposure to all weather and traffic conditions, fumes, odors, gases, construction noise and equipment, debris, and dust.

Physical Factors

Position requires light to moderate physical work involving frequent writing and keyboarding; lifting and carrying items weighing up to forty (40) pounds; considerable flexibility to structure daily work activities between sitting, standing and walking; squatting, kneeling, crouching, climbing into and out of drainage channels and trenches; ambulating on uneven surfaces at various locations and construction sites; strong verbal and visual acuity; color and depth perception required for identifying material problems and plan review. Safety equipment includes hard hat, steel toe boots, ear plugs, eye protection, and traffic safety vest.

Work Situation Factors

Position involves competing demands, performing multiple tasks, working to deadlines, occasional work beyond normal business hours including evenings and weekends, responding to emergency situations and customer issues. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services. Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Las Cruces policies.

FIRST CONSIDERATION MAY BE GIVEN TO CURRENT CITY OF LAS CRUCES EMPLOYEES WHO MEET ALL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS.

This initial posting will be used to fill a full-time, regular, exempt position in the Utilities Department but may be utilized to fill Senior Engineer vacancies in various departments within the City of Las Cruces including part-time, full-time and contract positions.

Position will be advertised as continuous, with periodic review of applications.

Full-Time, Regular, Exempt.

This position is a grade RX28.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepares and professionally seas construction drawings, specifications, cost estimates, reports, and calculations for a variety of routine to complex public infrastructure projects; analyzes, creates, reviews, and prepares studies and reports and assists in development of City standards and reviewing policies.
• Plans, coordinates, and manages activities, staff, and projects to provide appropriate levels of assistance and expertise; prepares and/or administers construction plans, contract documents, material specifications, cost estimates, and acquisition of right of way and easements to coordinate the various aspects of design projects and engineering related programs.
• Procures, manages, and engages with multi-disciplinary consultants and contractors to develop and achieve design objectives and project goals to perform approved CIP projects in appropriate scope capacity; negotiates design contracts, procures services, and collaborates with consultants and contractors to provide deliverables and meet the scope of work objectives; reviews technical work, develops solutions to problems, and provides recommended revisions to consultants and contractors.
• Develops and maintains computer models of related systems; oversees the development and update of data on a Geographic Information System (GIS) to meet established goals and objectives.
• Plans, reviews, designs, and certifies drawings for assigned projects; conducts field inspections, signs and seals engineering plans, reports, specifications, and contract documents to ensure integrity of information, accomplish project objectives, and compliance with applicable standards, codes, and regulations.
• Utilizes data, sketches, drawings, diagrams and verbal and written instructions to draft and create engineering drawings and perform technical calculations; researches, collects, and analyzes data to prepare and present various special and recurring reports, forms, and other documents to provide accurate and timely information.
• Participates in the development of various projects and programs; maintains and oversees financial activities of assigned budgets to ensure compliance and meet performance targets; coordinates the preparation of related documents, projects, and proposals for service to ensure compliance with City standards.
• Reviews master plans, plats, engineering plans, specifications, studies, and reports to ensure compliance, completeness, and accuracy with contractual arrangements and compliance with relevant standards, codes, regulations, and guidelines; inspects projects to address items of issue or concern.
• Develops requests for proposals to procure various professional services; prepares project cost estimates, develops scope of work and schedules for projects to ensure appropriate levels of service, support, and resources.
• Responds to inquiries to maintain positive customer relations and appropriate levels of service, support, and resources; responds to and resolves various complaints, issues, and inquiries as authorized and in accordance with established policies and procedures; provides testimony regarding service disputes and related issues.
• Maintains records regarding system infrastructure needs and coordinates design and construction with other City departments.
• Meets regularly with staff to review work in progress, discuss and resolve administrative, workload and technical issues, and to prioritize and assign tasks and projects; evaluates and analyzes functions, resources, processes and procedures to identify issues and recommend changes for improvement; interprets applicable rules and regulations to provide guidance in developing, implementing, and administering policies and procedures.
• Manages staff through proper delegation and work supervision to provide appropriate levels of service and resources; coordinates and manages various special and recurring projects, monitors work, evaluates performance, trains, counsels, coaches, and instructs employees in order to meet established goals and objectives; ensures staff adhere to established policies and procedures to remain in compliance with local, state and federal regulations.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This is the journey level class within the Engineer job series requiring registration as a professional engineer. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Engineer by the greater complexity of the assignments requiring the application of independent judgment and initiative in development of solutions to problems, interpreting general policies, supervision of staff and determining work assignments.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering or related Engineering discipline AND six (6) years of experience in civil engineering to include work experience in the public sector and project management, and review and design of various projects. A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy.

Licenses/Certification(s)

Valid driver's license is required. Position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City policy. Licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) is required at the time of application. State of New Mexico licensure as a PE may be required at the time of hire. Depending on the assignment, some incumbents may have up to twelve (12) months to obtain the State specific license; other professional or technical certifications may also be required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: applicable rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, and standards to effectively perform the functions of the position; occupational and environmental safety and health hazards; principles, practices, and processes related to project management, surveying, and civil engineering with an emphasis in the modern design, construction and maintenance of municipal projects; current information and research in areas of civil engineering; infrastructure needs assessment, network modeling, and technical operations support; model calibration, verification and testing; technical specifications and techniques governing services and functions of a municipality; techniques and practices for efficient and cost effective management of resources; principles, practices, techniques, activities, rules, and regulations related to the operations and functions of the position and services provided; current principles of record keeping and records management; principles and practices of effective research methods and data analysis, customer service, and problem resolution techniques; principles and practices of effective administrative management including personnel management,; occupational and environmental safety and health hazards, and safety practices; safe and effective use and maintenance of related tools, materials, and equipment; current methods and standards for preparing effective business correspondence; correct English usage, grammar, composition, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary; business and personal computers and related software applications; City organization, operations, policies, and procedures to effectively perform the required functions and duties of the position.

Ability to: perform a variety of duties and responsibilities timely and with accuracy to meet time-sensitive deadlines and to ensure achievement of goals and objectives; read, understand, interpret, and ensure compliance with a variety of documents, specifications, blueprints, plans, standards, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations governing related activities, programs, and functions; make mathematical calculations to measure quantities of completed work, and apply mathematical and statistical techniques to analyze data; verify calculations submitted for compliance and accuracy; perform technical reading and writing; conduct inspections; impartially evaluate the work of contractors and consultants to establish compliance with project plans, specifications, laws, ordinances and standards; inspect job sites prior to and during construction phase to assess existing conditions and resolve issues; understand and consider legal implications; safely and effectively operate associated tools, equipment and motor vehicles; navigate across even and uneven surfaces; communicate appropriately and effectively orally and in writing; use sound judgment in decision-making in conducting routine operations and during malfunctions or other emergencies; respond timely and effectively to emergency situations; research and compile applicable information and maintain accurate records; prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations; review documents and extract relevant information; firmly and impartially supervise, coach, counsel, mentor, lead and direct the activities of staff; establish and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with employees and the public; use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines to successfully meet established goals and objectives.

Skills in: reading, understanding, and applying relevant rules, ordinances, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures; effectively managing assignments; responding to inquiries timely and within the scope of delegated authority; responding appropriately, maintaining objectivity and freedom from prejudice, and exercising sound judgment and understanding in all interactions; effectively working independently, or as a team member, in various environments with changing priorities; preparing and presenting various reports, documents, forms, and correspondence; researching information, analyzing data, maintaining accurate records, and updating information in various mediums and formats; operating a personal computer with installed generic and specialized software; preparing and presenting information in a clear and concise manner; demonstrating appropriate and effective interpersonal communication and conflict resolution skills; performing highly effective support in assigned areas.

To view a summary of benefits offered by the City of Las Cruces,

Benefits - Home

01

Are you a current City of Las Cruces employee? (If you fail to include this information under the work experience section of your application, you may be disqualified from the process).

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have, at a minimum, a Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering or related engineering discipline? (If you fail to include this information under the education section of your application, you may be disqualified from the process.)

• Yes
• No

03

I understand and accept that if my response is "YES" to the question above, I agree to provide proof of the required degree and/or transcript (official or unofficial) if recommended for the position.

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have, at a minimum, at least six (6) years of experience in Civil Engineering to include work experience in the public sector and project management, and review and design of various projects.? (If you fail to include this information under the work experience section of your application, you may be disqualified from the process.)

• Yes
• No

05

Licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) is required at the time of application. Are you currently licensed as a Professional Engineer (PE)? (If you fail to include this information under the license/certification section of the application, you may be disqualified from the selection process.)

• Yes
• No

06

If PE licensure is from another state, I understand and accept that I have twelve (12) months from time of hire to obtain PE licensure recognized in New Mexico.

• Yes
• No

07

A valid drivers license is required. Do you have a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

08

If you answered "yes" to the previous question above, please indicate the type of license, license number, expiration date, any restrictions or endorsements, and the state that issued the license. If none, type N/A.

09

Experience in Utilities design is preferred. Do you meet this preference? (If you meet this preference please include experience details in the Work Experience section of your application.)

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Las Cruces

Address P.O. Box 20000

Las Cruces, New Mexico, 88004

Phone 575-528-3100

575-528-3100

Website http://www.lascruces.gov