City Engineer

The City of Littleton has an opening for a collaborative, forward-thinking engineering leader to serve as its next City Engineer. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced municipal engineering professional to guide the planning, development, operation, and long-term stewardship of critical public infrastructure while helping shape the community's future growth and investment priorities.

Reporting to the Director of Public Works & Utilities, the City Engineer provides strategic leadership and professional oversight for the Engineering, Transportation, Inspections, and Water Resources Divisions. This position plays a key role in delivering high-quality public services, advancing the city's Capital Improvement Program, maintaining essential infrastructure systems, and ensuring development projects meet established engineering standards, specifications, and regulatory requirements.

The City Engineer works closely with city leadership, developers, regulatory agencies, regional partners, and community stakeholders to address complex infrastructure challenges and support sustainable growth. As a trusted advisor and technical expert, the successful candidate will combine strong engineering knowledge with exceptional leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills to deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions that enhance the quality of life for residents and businesses.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and proven team leader with extensive experience in municipal engineering, capital project delivery, transportation systems, water resources, and public works operations. They will possess a commitment to collaboration, customer service, and continuous improvement, along with the ability to effectively communicate complex technical information to diverse audiences, including City Council, advisory boards, and the public.

About the City of Littleton

The City of Littleton is a vibrant community consistently recognized as one of America’s Best Small Cities, and a top destination for families. Discover some of the remarkable things Littleton has to offer at VisitLittleton.org. With its historic and lively downtown, diverse shopping and dining options, and an extensive network of parks and trails, Littleton boasts a prime location just south of Denver and a short drive to the majestic Rocky Mountains and Colorado ski country. The City of Littleton offers excellent benefits and perks to its employees. For more details, please refer to the 2026 Benefit Guide.

The City of Littleton believes in attracting and retaining the best talent, and its strategies include offering competitive pay and investing in employee growth and development opportunities.

In addition to your application, please submit a cover letter that describes why you are the best candidate for this position with the City of Littleton.

Hiring pay range $161,000 - $170,000 per year

This full-time position is exempt per FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Work Schedule: This position typically works 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. This position may be able to work remotely occasionally but will also be expected to work in person at the Littleton Center building and on-site at projects throughout the city. 

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified or the position is filled, but preference will be given to complete applications received by July 10, 2026. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversees the delivery of city engineering services including, capital projects, transportation and traffic operations, sanitary sewer, stormwater, and other related infrastructure.

• Directs project planning, design, right-of-way acquisition, construction management and project closeout.

• Reviews and approves engineering plans, specifications, and reports for the Engineering Division.

• Serves as a liaison with regulatory agencies and regional partners on infrastructure, transportation, and other regional priorities.

• Manages professional and technical staff in Engineering, Transportation, Inspections, and Water Resources Divisions. Establishes division goals, performance metrics, and operational priorities aligned with city strategic objectives.

• Coordinates with the Community Development Department on development review matters to ensure public improvements conform to city codes, standards, specifications, and engineering manuals.

• Recommends updates to city engineering standards and specifications and maintains current design and construction manuals.  

• Coordinates with the Asset Management Division for planning, condition assessments, and lifecycle replacement strategies to ensure long term system sustainability of city infrastructure.

• Develops, administers and updates the city’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), including prioritization, funding strategies, and long-range infrastructure planning.

• Oversees engineering consultant selection, and administration of professional services and construction contracts.

• Ensures compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations and coordinates with outside regulatory agencies and regional partners.

• Prepares cost estimates, financial forecasts, and funding analyses for infrastructure investments. Provides technical expertise and engineering oversight related to development projects impacting city infrastructure.

• Oversees the responsibilities of the Flood Plain Administrator, including administration of floodplain regulations, review of development within designated flood hazard areas, and public assistance related to flood mitigation.  

• Represents the Public Works & Utilities Director, as needed. 

• Reviews technical information requests of the City Attorney and assists other departments with finding engineering solutions. 

• Participates in emergency response and disaster recovery related to public infrastructure.

• Responds to citizen inquiries and represents the city at public meetings, community events, and stakeholder discussions.

• Presents technical information to City Council and other boards and committees.

• Performs other similar assignments and projects as required. 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Encourages an environment of collaboration and teamwork.

• Selects, trains, and evaluates employees.

• Completes assigned supervisory training.

• Provides guidance and assists employees in the fulfillment of responsibilities.

• Assigns and directs work; addresses and resolves issues.

• Manages employee performance through meaningful, timely feedback and appraisals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related field; and 

• Seven (7) years of experience in progressively complex engineering design and construction including three (3) years of supervisory experience; or 

• An equivalent combination of education, training and work experience that produces the knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position.

• Requires a Colorado Professional Engineer’s License or ability to obtain within 6 months.   

• Must have a valid driver’s license.

• Must be able to pass a pre-employment criminal background check, motor vehicle records check, drug screen and physical.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Requires expert knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering, municipal infrastructure systems, and public works operations. 

• Requires knowledge of laws and regulations, materials, and standards and specifications used in capital improvement and engineering. 

• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships across departments and with external partners.

• Requires skills and abilities to compose and prepare letters, reports and other correspondence and provide customer service using solid communication skills. 

• Requires ability to present technical information to the Planning Commission and City Council. 

• Requires ability to analyze data and problems, identify relationships, collect information, prepare alternative solutions for consideration, and prepare complex plans. 

• Requires skills and abilities to perform functional responsibilities such as budget management and the development and administration of policies and procedures. 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:

• Requires some outdoor work including travel and the ability to work in adverse weather conditions. 

• Essential duties include lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 20 pounds with or without assistance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Littleton is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and intends to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and job applicants regardless of age 40 and over, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, military status, or any other status protected by applicable law, and to hire and retain the best-qualified individuals without regard to any of these factors. This prohibition includes unlawful harassment based on a protected class. 

The City of Littleton will consider reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process and employment. Applicants and employees can request an accommodation by contacting Human Resources at 303-795-3857 or emailing [email protected].

Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace

The City of Littleton is committed to the health and safety of all its employees. To ensure a safe and productive work environment the city prohibits the use, sale, dispensation, manufacture, distribution or possession of alcohol, drugs, controlled substances or drug paraphernalia on any city premises or worksites. No employee shall report to work or be at work with alcohol or with any detectable amount of prohibited drugs in the employee's system. A detectable amount refers to the standards generally used in workplace drug & alcohol testing. This prohibition specifically includes marijuana, and decriminalized psychedelics whether used for medical purposes or obtained legally under state law.