Principal Engineer 2026-02462

Salary: $7,805.20 - $8,671.86 Monthly

Location : Buffalo, WY

Job Type: Permanent Full-time

Job Number: 2026-02462

Department: Department of Transportation

Division: Department of Transportation

Opening Date: 10/07/2026

Closing Date: Continuous

FLSA: Determined by Position

Job Classification: ENEG12

Description and Functions

Open Until Filled

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) seeks a Principal Engineer for our Construction Program located in Buffalo, Wyoming. This position is responsible for all aspects of highway construction and contract administration from design through construction and project record finalization, including reconstruction and maintenance projects for bridges, interstate highways, state highways, county roads, and city streets, and public buildings; managing and training a crew of technicians and engineers assisting with the project design and contract administration; working closely with Federal, State, County, and City personnel as well as various utility companies, landowners and the public through all phases of the projects; and applying professional engineering practices to end up with a quality project that is completed timely and within budget without claims or accidents.

This position offers:

$2,000 Hiring Bonus See notes for eligibility

Working for the State of Wyoming offers more than a paycheck. Our total compensation package includes:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, FMLA, and holidays
• Retirement - Pension and 457B plans that help you build a secure future
• Flexible schedules and work-life balance options
• Meaningful work that makes a difference for Wyoming communities

and MUCH MORE! Click here for detailed information, or you can watch this short video to learn about our benefit package!

Want to see the full value of your compensation beyond salary?

Explore our Total Compensation Calculator:compensationcalculator.wyo.gov

Buffalo is tucked away between the rolling plains of the Old West and the towering peaks of the Bighorn Mountains and is a small town living at its finest. Nearby outdoor activities are endless: hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowmobiling, ATV trails, rodeos, and a four-star golf course in the heart of town. Billings, Montana and its amenities are just over a two-hour drive from Buffalo. And Wyoming is one of only nine states with no income tax!

Human Resources Contact: Keri Griffith / /

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The listed functions are illustrative only and are not intended to describe every function that may be performed at the job level.

• Responsible for documentation of project quantities and payment.
• Responsible for negotiating and securing agreements with landowners, government agencies, and consultants.
• Responsible for meeting the requirements of DEQ, BLM, USFS, and other agencies on projects.
• Coordinate and develop consensus among representatives of the city, county, federal, and the department, and the general public and special interest groups to address project impacts and effects at the design and construction level.
• Research, locate, and negotiate materials, survey, water, and plant site agreements with private landowners, businesses, and government agencies.
• Generate special provisions for all projects to address issues unique to each project.
• Initiate and monitor consultant agreements and progress to provide various surveying and engineering services.
• Generate plans, summaries, and estimates for maintenance projects.
• Resolve and recommend a resolution of contractor disputes and claims.
• Review, generate, and negotiate change orders.
• Provide fundamental and supplemental training to subordinates.
• Responsible for determining equipment, workforce needs, and budget requirements.
• Manages, coordinates, and organizes field inspections, surveys, laboratory testing, material analysis, and quality control to ensure the project is constructed in accordance with plans and specifications.
• Prepares technical engineering studies and/or summaries for a variety of projects.
• Responsible for the development of plans and documents.
• Responsible for determining equipment & workforce needs & budget requirements.
• Assures projects are completed in accordance with plans, specifications, and design criteria.
• Responsible for engineering recommendations and summaries for a variety of projects.
• Reviews and approves or rejects submittals.
• Ensures the work activities of the engineering staff meet project technical and policy requirements, state statutes, and federal regulations.
• Performs feasibility analysis to ensure cost-effective solutions.
• Coordinates with other programs, agencies, or outside entities; participates in value engineering studies and public meetings.
• Provides responses as a result of claims, lawsuits, or other public record requests.
• Prepares and coordinates budget recommendations.
• Conducts performance appraisals, makes hiring and firing recommendations, and conducts disciplinary actions.
• Trains, develops, and mentors staff.
• Advises senior leaders regarding design and project budgets, design and schedules, and contracts.
• Develops and implements standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the engineering section.
• Participates in selection panels of architects, engineers, and contractors.
• Confers with the staff of agencies in other states or other government levels regarding joint actions taken or to be taken, or in exchange for vital or useful information; develops, reviews, and makes adjustments in a long-range plan for agency (or major program) goals.
• Reviews blueprints, design plans, and specifications for technical merit and owner intent on all projects and quality control, functionality, readability, sustainability, and construction flow.
• Develop cost estimates for future projects to include design and construction costs; advise senior leaders on the acquisition of engineering-specific software, hardware, equipment, and materials.
• Affix the PE stamp to the work completed.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE:

• Knowledge of engineering fundamentals relating to highway geometrics, hydraulic design, soil engineering, and construction practices.
• Knowledge of legal aspects of supervision, hiring, and firing.
• Skilled in preparing and delivering technical training and presentations.
• Able to communicate effectively through verbal and written means to relate specific concepts and ideas to outside agencies, public partners, and direction to engineers and technicians.
• Able to effectively plan, organize, oversee, and monitor work schedules and projects.
• Able to give attention and work under pressure.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Bachelor's Degree (in Engineering)

Experience:

2-4 years of progressive work experience (in Engineering) with acquired knowledge at the level of a Project Engineer

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

Professional Engineer's (PE) License Required at time of hire - (Wyoming PE required within six months of hire date.)

Necessary Special Requirements

NOTES:

• FLSA: Exempt
• The Wyoming Department of Transportation is a Drug-Free Workplace.
• E-Verify: WYDOT uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about , including your rights and responsibilities.
• The successful candidate may be eligible for moving expense reimbursement.
• Qualifying eligibility and criteria for the hiring bonus
• Temporary employees accepting a full-time position.
• Current employees accepting a promotional opportunity - recruitment must have been opened to the public.
• One year of service to WYDOT must be completed, failure to complete this requirement will forfeit the hiring incentive, and funds will be recouped from final pay.
• Internal candidates would be required to remain in the position for a minimum of one (1) year from their promotion date.
• Employees would only be eligible for one (1) hiring bonus in a 12-month period.
• If the employee elects to downgrade through an active recruitment and/or appointment during the twelve (12) month period, they would be required to pay the bonus back.

Supplemental Information

To learn more about the Wyoming Department of Transportation, please visit us at

Click to view the State of Wyoming Classification and Pay Structure.

Click to view the State of Wyoming Total Compensation Calculator.

URL:

The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities.

Class Specifications are subject to change, please refer to the A & I HRD Website to ensure that you have the most recent version.

Human Resources Contact: Keri Griffith / /

Working for the State of Wyoming means more than a job - it's a stable, rewarding career that lets you make a difference while enjoying a great quality of life.

Employees enjoy:

• Comprehensive health coverage - medical, dental, and vision plans for you and your family
• Voluntary Benefits - including life insurance for you and family members, ambulance, pet insurance, short/long-term disability, flex spending and health savings accounts
• Multiple retirement options - including the Wyoming Retirement System and a 457B account, helping you plan for long-term financial security
• Generous paid leave and flexible schedules - vacation, sick leave, paid FMLA and 9 paid holidays each year
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility - for those with qualifying student loans
• Training and professional development - to support your career growth and advancement
• Employee Assistance Program - Includes paid short-term counseling, legal, financial and work-life benefits and select employee discounts
• Wellness Program - Earn paid time off and incentives by focusing on your personal health

Know your full value.

Your paycheck is only part of the picture. The State of Wyoming offers a Total Compensation Calculator that shows the full value of your salary plus benefits, so you can clearly see what your complete compensation package looks like.

Explore your total compensation:

WORKING FOR THE GREATEST STATE IN THE NATION - Wyoming offers a lifestyle you can't find anywhere else - wide-open spaces, clean air, friendly communities, year-round recreation, and no state income tax.

Click here for detailed information or you can watch this short video to learn about our benefit package!.

01

(ENEG12) Do you have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering?

• Yes
• No

02

(ENEG12) Do you have a Master's degree in Engineering?

• Yes
• No

03

(ENEG12) Do you have a Doctorate degree in engineering?

• Yes
• No

04

(ENEG12) Which of the following best describes your work experience Engineering?Experience definition: (This experience includes Engineering experience)

• No relevant experience.
• Less than one (1) year of relevant experience.
• One (1) to less than two (2) years of relevant experience.
• Two (2) to less than four (4) years of relevant experience.
• Four (4) or more years of relevant experience.

05

(AA) Describe your relevant experience in the box below.

06

ENEG12) Do you possess a Professional Engineer's (PE) License? (Wyoming PE required within one year of hire date.)

• Yes
• No

07

(A) Where did you hear about this opportunity?

• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• Zip Recruiter
• Wyoming Workforce services
• Other job sites (Wyoming at Work, Monster, etc.)
• Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
• ;/li>
• Newspaper/Newsletter Advertisement
• Career Fair
• Friend or Acquaintance (Not State Employee)
• Current State Employee
• Other

08