Principal Engineer

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

About This Opportunity

The City of Hillsboro's Community Development team plays a key role in shaping the City's growth and future by supporting thoughtful, sustainable development and transportation planning. Working collaboratively across disciplines and with community partners, the team helps ensure development aligns with long-range plans, policies, and the needs of a growing and diverse community.

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.

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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.

Why Join Hillsboro?

At the City of Hillsboro, you'll play a meaningful role in shaping the community's future while working alongside dedicated professionals committed to innovation, collaboration, and excellent public service. Your expertise will directly support safe development, economic growth, and a high quality of life for our residents.

Join us and help build the future of Hillsboro-one project at a time.

When you join our team, you'll enjoy:

• Competitive pay with City contributions to PERS retirement.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Paid time off for vacation, personal, sick leave, and holidays.
• Deferred compensation match and HRA VEBA contributions to boost your future savings.
• City-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance.
• Extra perks like bilingual pay incentives and wellness reimbursements.
• Free TriMet annual Hop Pass and SHARC and Hidden Creek Community Center recreation access for you and your immediate family.
• Paid time off to volunteer in the community through Hillsboro Helps.
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
• A supportive workplace that values work/life balance and employee wellness.

To learn more about our robust benefits package, please visit our
Commitment to Equity Hiring a workforce that reflects the diverse community we serve is essential to delivering exceptional City services and programs. The City of Hillsboro is committed to creating and supporting an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees to thrive. We value, respect, and empower employees as unique individuals with authentic voices and diverse ideas.
City of Hillsboro is proud to offer robust benefit packages to employees. Please check out our for benefit guides for our non-represented full-time employees and part-time employees. Benefits may vary for positions identified in Police, Fire, and Library collective bargaining agreements, which can also be found on the Salary and Benefits page.