Job Description:
Overview
The Principal Engineer is a senior technical leader who provides advanced engineering judgment, technical direction, and project leadership for complex work within an assigned service area. This role translates client and project objectives into effective design solutions, guides project teams through challenging technical issues, and serves as a trusted resource to Project Engineers, Senior Project Engineers, project managers, and technical staff. The Principal Engineer operates with substantial independence and helps strengthen technical quality, client confidence, and the development of the firm’s engineering practice.
Responsibilities
- Provide technical leadership for complex engineering projects from concept development through final design, permitting, construction, or implementation support, as applicable.
- Establish technical approaches, design criteria, and work plans; evaluate alternatives and recommend solutions that balance quality, risk, constructability, cost, and schedule.
- Review and approve engineering calculations, plans, specifications, reports, estimates, and other technical deliverables for accuracy, consistency, and compliance with applicable standards.
- Resolve complex technical issues and provide authoritative guidance to project teams, clients, agencies, subconsultants, and contractors.
- Mentor and develop engineers, EITs, designers, and other technical staff; promote sound engineering judgment, accountability, and quality-focused work practices.
- Coordinate with Project Managers and Senior Project Managers on scope, staffing, schedules, budgets, risk, quality control, and client expectations.
- Support proposals, scopes, fee development, client presentations, interviews, and other business-development activities within the assigned service area.
- Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of design standards, technical tools, workflows, and QA/QC practices.
- Represent the firm professionally with clients, agencies, professional organizations, and community stakeholders.
- Provide technical direction for complex roadway programs, including schematics, PS&E, geometric design, standards, constructability, and delivery.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related field from an ABET-accredited program.
- Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the state(s) required to support project work.
- Minimum of 8 years of progressive engineering experience, including substantial experience leading complex projects and technical teams.
- Demonstrated expertise in engineering design, analysis, applicable codes and standards, and project delivery within the assigned service area.
- Proven ability to mentor technical staff, influence project outcomes, and communicate effectively with clients, agencies, and multidisciplinary teams.
If you need an accommodation or assistance with completing your application due to a disability or special need, please contact our team at [email protected] or call (210) 375-9000.
EEO Statement:
All qualified applicants for Pape-Dawson Engineers will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related field from an ABET-accredited program
- Licensed Professional Engineer in the state or states required for project work
- At least 8 years of progressive engineering experience
- Substantial experience leading complex projects and technical teams
- Expertise in engineering design, analysis, applicable codes and standards, and project delivery
- Ability to mentor technical staff and influence project outcomes
- Effective communication with clients, agencies, and multidisciplinary teams
What We Do
Who We Are Founded in 1965, Pape-Dawson provides professional civil engineering, surveying, GIS, and environmental services for public and private clients across Texas. With 850+ staff and offices in San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Tomball, Fort Worth, Dallas, New Braunfels, and Corpus Christi, we provide both our clients and our employees with a deep bench of valuable in-house resources that span a wide range of disciplines. Pape-Dawson has provided civil engineering services for many noteworthy projects in Texas including theme parks; educational campuses; healthcare facilities; transportation improvement projects; water and wastewater infrastructure projects; commercial land development projects; and thousands of residential projects. We take great pride in producing projects than not only impact quality of life, but also help generate economic opportunity within our communities. Culture and Benefits We acknowledge the value of our employees by providing an enlightened company culture that encourages personal growth and professional excellence, supported by state-of-the-art technology and frequent training opportunities. Employee engagement is an integral part of working at Pape-Dawson. Monthly birthday celebrations, weekly trivia and bingo breaks, picnics, holiday parties, professional speakers, and networking opportunities are just a few of the many events employees enjoy. In addition to fostering a culture that promotes satisfaction and success, we provide our employees with a robust benefits package including a variety of insurance plan options; a generous PTO policy; impressive 401(k) match program; education and gym reimbursements; and flexible and remote work opportunities.
