Principal Civil Engineer

Principal Civil Engineer
Land Development | Phoenix Metro | Chandler, Arizona

Own the Market. Lead the Team. Build Something Lasting.
CAGE is looking for a seasoned Principal Civil Engineer with deep roots in the Phoenix metro market to lead our Chandler office operations and serve as the face of our Arizona practice.

This is not a senior PM seat. This is a leadership role with a clear trajectory toward full operational ownership of the Chandler office. We want someone who can walk into a room with a developer, municipality, or architect and already know the players, the projects, and the market. If you have 12+ years of Phoenix area land development experience, established client relationships, and the instincts to run a business unit, we want to talk.

We are specifically looking for someone with established relationships in the Phoenix metro development community who knows the market, the players, and how to win work here. If that describes you, this role was designed with you in mind.


About CAGE

CAGE is a growing civil engineering, surveying, and construction management firm serving private and public sector clients across the Southwest and beyond, with offices in Illinois, Colorado, Arizona, Florida, and North Carolina.

We specialize in land development consulting and partner with developers, architects, contractors, municipalities, school districts, and institutional clients to bring projects from concept through construction. Phoenix is one of the fastest-growing development markets in the country, and our Chandler office is positioned to grow with it.

Our culture combines the capabilities of a multi-office firm with the entrepreneurial energy of a growing organization. We empower our leaders to make decisions, develop people, win clients, and shape the direction of the business. There is no bureaucratic ceiling here.


What You'll Do

Lead the Chandler Office

• Serve as the senior technical and operational leader for our Chandler office
• Drive revenue growth, project profitability, and team performance
• Work directly with CAGE executive leadership to shape the Arizona strategy
• Build the team, define the culture, and grow the market presence

Win and Retain Clients

• Leverage your existing Phoenix metro relationships to generate business
• Serve as a trusted advisor to developers, architects, contractors, municipalities, and other project stakeholders
• Lead proposal efforts, client presentations, and project pursuits
• Represent CAGE within the Arizona development community, including ULI Arizona, NAIOP Desert West, and local ACEC and industry events

Deliver High-Impact Projects

• Manage residential, commercial, industrial, mixed-use, educational, and institutional land development projects
• Oversee project scope, schedules, budgets, profitability, and resource planning
• Direct multidisciplinary project teams from entitlement through construction
• Ensure high-quality technical deliverables and an exceptional client experience

Develop People

• Mentor engineers, designers, and project staff
• Help recruit and develop top engineering talent in the Phoenix market
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement

What We're Looking For

Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering
• 12+ years of civil engineering and land development experience
• Significant Phoenix metro experience with an established professional network in the development community
• Professional Engineer (PE) license (Arizona preferred; reciprocity considered)
• Strong technical foundation in site development, grading, drainage, utility design, and permitting
• Proven track record managing project budgets, schedules, and client expectations
• Experience leading and mentoring engineers and design teams
• Strong communication skills and the presence to lead client relationships at a senior level

Preferred

• Active involvement in Arizona development industry organizations (ULI, NAIOP, ACEC, or similar)
• Experience managing an office, department, or market territory
• Business development track record with demonstrated ability to originate and expand client relationships

Why This Role Is Different

Most firms will hire you as a senior PM and tell you leadership opportunities exist somewhere down the road.

At CAGE, this role is designed from the start to evolve into full Chandler office leadership. You will have a direct line to executive leadership, real influence over business decisions, and the authority to build the team and culture you want. We are not looking for someone to maintain the status quo. We are looking for someone to own the Arizona market.

We are growing, Phoenix is booming, and this is the right moment to step into a seat that will be yours to define.


Compensation & Benefits

Compensation

• Competitive base salary: $140,000 to $190,000+ depending on experience
• Performance-based bonus opportunities
• Leadership growth and long-term career advancement

Health & Wellness

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• HSA options
• Wellness reimbursement programs
• Mental health support resources

Time Off & Flexibility

• Flex Time Off
• Paid parental leave
• 30-day sabbatical after 5 years
• Paid holidays and floating holiday

Financial Security

• 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting
• Life and disability insurance

Professional Development

• Executive coaching and leadership development programs
• Professional licensing support
• Tuition reimbursement
• Industry conferences and continuing education

Location

Chandler, Arizona. Serving clients across Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Tempe, Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, Goodyear, Avondale, Buckeye, and the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, one of the fastest-growing land development markets in the United States.


Ready to Own the Market?
If you are a civil engineering professional with deep Phoenix metro roots, established client relationships, and the leadership instincts to run a growing office, we would like to talk.

Apply today and help build the future of land development in Arizona with CAGE.