Job Description

JOB LOCATION

Aurora, Colorado 80016-2946

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of:Integrity,Respect, Professionalism, andCustomer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.

Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Salary to be commensurate with experience

The hiring range for this position is: $ 116,892.00 - $146,115.00/annually

The full salary range for this position is: $ 116,892.00 - $182,644.00/annually

The deadline to submit applications is April 23, 2026. Please note, The City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first come, first-serve basis; as soon as we determine to have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice.

OFJOB

The Principal Engineer is the most advanced professional/technical level in the engineering class providing high level subject matterexpertisein support of the operational areas of Aurora Water. The PrincipalEngineeris responsible fordeveloping,managingandmonitoringtheCapitalImprovementProgrambudgetandspending planin theirresponsibleareaThis position also plans, organizes, and directs complex engineering analyses and manages complex projects for the Water Department

The Principal Engineermay alsosuperviseotherengineers inPlanning and Engineeringand alsoserveas aprimaryengineer totheOperationsDepartment of the UtilityThis position isanticipatedto work with operations areas including pumping, source of supply, tanks, wells, and/or augmentation storage.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Be the main customer service representative for the O&M staff withinresponsiblearea

• Assistoperations staff with problems that arise, find solutions,determineroles and responsibilities, and actively manage the solution process asrequired

• Perform engineering calculations and evaluationsrequiredto support operations staff.

• Develop,manageandmonitorthe capital improvement program budget and spending plan forresponsible area

• Ensure projects areidentified, properly budgeted and tracked via an updated cash flow and project management model monthly.

• Review and approve all projectscope,schedulesand fees within responsible area

• Manage thefund CIP

• Manage the fund change orders (excluding phase funded ones)

• Provide monthly updatesto operations on the status of all projects in the fund

• Provideleadership, mentoring and technical guidance to direct report engineers(as applicable)as well as the PMs managing projects inresponsible area

• Assure that projects meet established quality standards.

• Initiate and manage the most complex engineering projects in RAs.

• Oversee the development of revisions to existing City codes, ordinances and design standards related to RAs.

• Serve as a spokesperson for special projects withinresponsibleareaand represent the Department or City.

• Ensure compliance with regulatory agencies, Federal, State, and Localpoliciesand procedures.

• Coordinate with the PlanningTeam to developMaster PlanUpdates

• Coordinatewith the Asset Management team (AM) to execute and plan AM projects

• Coordinate with the Water Supply and Demand Teams toincorporate other SOS projects into the CIP

• Coordinate resources to implement the CIPin accordance withthe Master and Asset Management Plans

• Other duties as assigned

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience thatdemonstratesrequired knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education:

• Bachelor's degreein civil,environmental,mechanicalorchemicalengineering; or related field.

Experience:

• Seven (7)yearsofprofessional engineering experience(equivalent to at least 11 years of engineering experience).

Licenses and Certifications:  

• PE (or equivalent) registration in the State of Colorado, or ability to obtainColoradolicensure within six months.

• Driver's license witha good drivinghistory

Knowledge: 

• Knowledge of Engineering principles, practices, theories, and techniques related to infrastructure planning and project management

• Knowledge ofthe principles, practices,financial managementand operating requirements of a water utility

Abilities: 

• Ability toestablishand maintain effective working relationships with employees and citizens

• Ability tohandle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy

• Ability tocommunicate effectively both orally and in writing

Skills: 

• Strong interpersonalskills

• Stronganalyticalskills

• Strong project managementskills

• Strong leadershipskills

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by thecity, all City of Aurora employees maybe requiredto work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands: 

• Sedentary physical workrequiringthe ability to lift at least10 poundswith or withoutassistance

• Occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing

• Vision sufficient to read computer screens, printouts, and related documents

• Dexterity tooperatea computer system and other related equipment

• Speech communication and hearing tomaintaincommunication with employees and citizens

• Endurance sufficient to sit and work at a computer forlong periodsof time

 
Work Environment: 

• Works in a clean, comfortable environment

• The work environment will occasionally include field visits to Aurora Water facilities (treatment facilities, pump stations, tanks, reservoirs, etc.)

• This is a hybrid role.

Equipment Used: 

• Operates a motor vehicle; survey equipment; measuring equipment such as tapes, levels and micrometers, camera, and personal computer. 

• This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g.vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

For Veterans preference: Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.

The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.

Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check.

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.