Principal Engineer (Bridges)

Important Notice: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Department of Environmental Services (DES) is seeking a skilled Principal Engineer (Bridges) to join our Engineering Bureau - a 60 member team delivering full-scale surveying, design, and construction management services for a wide range of public works capital improvement projects.  These projects include multimodal transportation, bridge replacements, stormwater, watermain, sanitary sewer, and other infrastructure work. The projects are complex, with competing interests in a constrained urban environment and range from $100,000 to $20 million in construction costs with a portfolio of approximately 75 to 100 projects in various stages of design at any given time. The Bureau also utilizes consulting services as additional resources to enhance project capacity.

This role is responsible for asset management of the County’s 35+ bridges, including oversight of bridge safety inspections, as well as maintenance and repairs.  Additionally, the Principal Engineer is responsible for bridge capital projects such as major bridge rehabilitations and replacements.  Much of the bridge program work is accomplished using consultants and contractors and the position is responsible for procuring and overseeing the work of these entities. The position will manage other transportation-related projects including the procurement of consultants, completion and review of design plans, submissions to regulatory agencies, management of schedules and budgets, procurement of construction contractors, and construction administration services. 

Specific duties include:

• Managing the bridge safety inspection program, ensuring that the biennial bridge inspections are completed in accordance with Federal and State requirements;
• Developing and prioritizing the 4-year bridge repair maintenance plan including preparing annual bridge repair and maintenance budgets for the County’s bridge inventory;
• Creating the bridge component of the Capital Improvement Plan including planning level cost estimates and scoping for future bridge capital projects and rehabilitations;
• Procuring design and construction contractors to perform Annual Maintenance and Repair Work, and complete Capital Improvement Projects;
• Directing consultant development of plans, specifications, estimates, and bid documents for construction contractors to execute the work contained in the Annual Maintenance and Repairs Work Plan and bridge capital improvement plan including reviewing consultant work products to ensure that they effectively meet the County’s goals and are accurate and complete;
• Preparing and reviewing detailed design and construction engineering plans including cost estimates, technical reports, and associated documentation for transportation related projects;
• Collaborating project implementation with internal teams, external agencies, and stakeholders to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget, while complying with regulatory requirements;
• Developing materials for and participating in pre-bid meetings, public engagement presentations, construction meetings, and other project-related events; and
• Performing other job-related duties including the design and review of retaining walls and other small structures and providing structural engineering related guidance on other capital projects.

The successful candidate will possess outstanding design, project, consultant and client management skills, including technical expertise in structural engineering as well as experience in a construction plan production environment. They will also have a track record of successfully working with various stakeholders and demonstrate strong leadership qualities. This individual will be a collaborative problem solver with an understanding of the complexities and challenges of bridges and Capital Improvement Projects related to bridges and transportation.

Minimums: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering; and
• Significant progressively responsible professional, technical civil engineering experience including at least two years' experience in bridge program management, bridge rehabilitation design, and/or project management of bridge rehabilitation capital projects.
• Experience may not be substituted for the Engineering Degree requirement. 

Desirables: Preference may be given to candidates with one or more of the following: 

• Professional Engineer (PE) License in the Commonwealth of Virginia, or a State with reciprocity;
• Experience as an NBIS Program Manager; 
• Experience as an NBIS Team Leader; 
• Successful completion of an FHWA approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course; and/or
• Experience managing bridge programs and transportation projects for a government agency.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Please note: A complete application will include an attached resume. 

Driver's License:  The applicant must possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid driver's license. The applicant must authorize Arlington County to obtain or provide a copy of their official driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's driving record.  

Background Check: A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted.  It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You may be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Work Hours: Flexible work schedule Monday through Friday between 7:00 am to 6:00 pm with telework opportunities. Employee must be able to attend occasional local and state events, field meetings and public engagement events, some which may be outside of regular working hours.

The salary range listed is effective July 1, 2026.

This position is eligible for County government employee benefits that include health, dental, vacation and sick leave, commuter transportation subsidies, tuition reimbursement, as well as a generous retirement plan.

For more information on Arlington County’s generous benefits and retirement plan, click here.
Arlington County is committed to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion across all our services, activities, and programs. Learn more about our commitment.

Your responses are required and give us additional specific information that we require to evaluate your qualifications for this position. These responses are considered part of the selection process. Please do not give "see resume" as a response to the questions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

NOTE:  This position is listed as "open continuous".  Interested applicants are advised to submit their applications as soon as possible. If your application is received later in the recruitment process, it may not be considered. The application process will close when the position has been filled or when enough qualified applications have been received.  

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