The City of Watsonville is seeking a seasoned solutions-driven Principal Engineer to lead development review and land use engineering. You will guide private applications, from commercial and industrial to mixed-use and residential, through entitlement, planning permits, tentative/final maps and subdivision improvements in close partnership with Community Development. The Principal Engineer is embedded in development review: you will ensure projects meet City standards, stormwater/NPDES-LID requirements, and applicable California laws (Subdivision Map Act, CEQA interfaces), while overseeing city staff and on-call plan-check consultants. The role sets and applies infrastructure standards; negotiates conditions of approval, improvement agreements, easements and right-of-way dedications; and coordinates with Caltrans, PG&E, Santa Cruz County, and regional partners. The position supervises staff and consultants and collaborates with the City's CIP (approximately $65 million) where private improvements interface with public facilities. Lead development, elevate standards, and serve a city that values your expertise!
The Job - Reporting the the Director of Public Works & Utilities or designate, the Principal Engineer is a key member of the City team for land use and development review. You help guide private projects across residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use categories from early concept through entitlement and construction. Working side by side with Community Development, you coordinate Public Works' role in the process, set clear conditions of approval, and make sure improvements and utilities tie into the City's system safely and efficiently. This Principal Engineer will review subdivision maps and improvement plans, confirm compliance with the City's permits and low impact development stormwater requirements, assess fees and ensure applications meet the California Subdivision Map Act and local codes. The role manages consultant plan check, easements and right-of-way dedications or abandonments, and the recordation and acceptance steps that close out a project.
Much of the work is collaborative. You will be the day-to-day liason with developers and design professionals, Utilities and Traffic Engineering, and outside partners such as Caltrans, PG&E, and Santa Cruz County. You will coordinate encroachments and permits, align frontage and utility work with City master plans and the capital programs, and recommend updates to standards and fees when practice or law changes. Success in this role looks like predictable, timely reviews, clear communication, and constructive problem solving that protects the public interest while helping good projects move forward.
The Department - The Public Works & Utilities Department is the largest department within the City and plays a vital role in maintaining the city's infrastructure and delivering essential daily services to residents. It is responsible for operating and maintaining the city's regional potable water system, sanitary and storm sewer systems, wastewater treatment and water recycling plant, and managing solid waste and recycling collection through both curbside services and the Harvest Drive Drop-Off Center. The Department ensures full compliance with environmental and regulatory requirements while advancing the city's sustainability goals. It values creative problem-solving, collaboration, and maintains a supportive workplace culture where individuals are encouraged to lead and innovate.
The Division - The Engineering Division provides essential management and technical support for all public infrastructure systems in the city. It plays a critical role in the design and construction management of the City's Capital Improvement Program, which includes upgrades and maintenance of streets, traffic systems, parking, storm drains, wastewater, solid waste, and water facilities. A major function of the Division is administering Watsonville's Pavement Management Program (PMP) to plan and implement road maintenance projects. It also manages public works construction bids and proposals, overseeing the planning and execution of new construction, facility upgrades, traffic signal systems, and utility improvements.
City of Watsonville – Principal Engineer
Principal Engineer Brochure
