Manager of Engineering / Assistant City Engineer

Assistant City Engineer

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 City's 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 City's long-term goals.

This position is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the City's 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 City's 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.

• 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.