| Location | Bend, OR |
| Salary | $118,173.33–$150,822.46 Per Year |
Principal Engineer
Salary
$118,173.33 - $150,822.46 Annually
Location
Juniper Ridge - 21051 NE Talus Pl, Bend, OR
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
20260115
Department
Engineering
Division
5600
Opening Date
09/03/2026
Closing Date
Continuous
About the Role
The City of Bend is accepting applications for one (1) regular, full-time Principal Engineer in the Engineering Department. This is a salaried, exempt, non-represented position. The City may use this recruitment to establish an eligibility list for current or future vacancies. Please review the entire job posting, including the application requirements at the end.
The City of Bend is seeking an experienced and collaborative Principal Engineer to lead the Engineering Departments Water and Stormwater Team and help deliver critical infrastructure projects that support one of Oregons fastest-growing communities. In this role, you will provide technical leadership and strategic oversight for the planning, design, and delivery of water and stormwater capital improvement projects, including treatment, storage, transmission, distribution, and related infrastructure improvements. You will work closely with Water Services staff, operations personnel, consultants, contractors, regulators, and community stakeholders to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and with long-term community value.
This is an exciting opportunity to assume leadership of an established engineering team and influence major investments in Bends water and stormwater infrastructure. The successful candidate will oversee a diverse portfolio of capital projects, guide engineering staff, manage consultant partnerships, and help shape infrastructure strategies that support system reliability, regulatory compliance, operational resilience, and future growth. The position offers meaningful opportunities to solve complex technical challenges while contributing to the Citys long-range planning efforts.
The Principal Engineer plays an important role in connecting engineering solutions with community priorities. Candidates who are energized by public service, enjoy mentoring staff, and are motivated by delivering high-impact infrastructure projects will find significant opportunities to make a lasting contribution to the City of Bend and its residents.
Classification Framework: Principal Engineer
What Youll Do
The following duties are a sample of major duties performed in this role and are not intended to be an exhaustive list.
Ideal Candidate
Were looking for someone who is a collaborative and approachable leader, thrives in a team environment, and enjoys developing others. The ideal candidate can balance competing priorities, effectively communicate complex technical information to diverse audiences, and build trusted relationships with colleagues, consultants, regulators, and community members. They are adaptable, solutions-focused, and motivated by serving the public through meaningful infrastructure investments.
Highly qualified candidates will bring advanced knowledge of civil and water utility engineering practices, capital project delivery, construction management, consultant and contract administration, budgeting, regulatory compliance, and public-sector project management. Candidates should also demonstrate strong communication, stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and leadership skills.
Candidates who meet the listed minimum qualifications, including an equivalent combination of education and experience, will be considered for an interview. Please ensure your application includes information about your education, relevant paid and unpaid work experience, and applicable licenses and certifications. Avoid referencing your resume in the job duties section of the application.
Minimum Qualifications
Required Licenses & Certifications
Desired (but Not Required) Attributes
What to Know Before Applying
Application Deadline: Applications received by Friday, September 25, 12:00 p.m. (Noon) Pacific Time will be included in an initial review and consideration for interview; however, the position will remain open until filled.
Application Requirements: To be considered for an interview, applicants must complete an online application including the following attachments (failure to include required attachments may result in disqualification):
Veterans Preference: Applicants seeking Veterans' Preference as a qualified veteran or disabled veteran must attach appropriate documentation to their application. For more information click here.
Equity Statement: The City of Bend remains committed to building a workforce that advances diversity and inclusion within our community and all we do. We recognize that not everyone starts from the same place, and that gender, race, ability, sexual orientation, and other identities face different barriers. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are dedicated to creating an inclusive, safe, and respectful workplace where employees can thrive without these barriers. A more extended version of the City of Bend's Organizational Equity Statement is available upon request.
Benefits: The City of Bend offers an excellent competitive benefits package for Employees and Dependents for health and dental coverage, retirement benefits, and a robust paid leave program. Details are available on the benefits tab of the job posting.
Starting Compensation: Starting compensation is determined based on a pay equity analysis considering
the candidate's education, applicable work experience, and internal equity. Please include all relevant
information on your application.
Diversity & Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
The City of Bend is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. At the City of Bend, we dont just accept differences; we value them. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and support the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAAA) and the Oregon Equal Pay Act.
Employee Benefit Overview
August 1, 2025 - July 31, 2026
Regular Full Time Benefits:
Coverage is effective on the first day of the month, coinciding with or following date of hire.
(If the first day of work is on the first calendar day of the month, coverage is effective that day.)
High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
Medical, Vision and Prescription Coverage
Underwritten by PacificSource Health Plans
Full-time employees currently pay 10% of the total monthly premium. Benefit-eligible part-time employee premiums are pro-rated according to their regularly-scheduled hours, either at 50% (employees working 20-29 hours per week) or 75% (employees working 30-39 hours per week) of the full monthly premium.
Employee monthly premium:EmployeeEmployee & DependentsFull-time Employees$71.48$178.70Part-time 1 Employees (30-39 hours per week)$178.72$446.77Part-time 2 Employees (20-29 hours per week)$357.43$893.54
Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
Third Party Administrator -- PacificSource Administrators (PSA)
This is an employer-funded account designed to reimburse employees for IRS-qualified medical expenses. Reimbursements are tax-free, and any unused HRA Comp-A fund amounts at the end of the plan year are transferred to the employee's VEBA account following first full year of employment (see below for VEBA account information). Coinsurance (Med-G) funding remaining at plan year end is forfeited and does not roll to the VEBA.
Employee monthly premium portion:
Employee
Employee & Dependents
Full-time EmployeesHRA (Comp - A)
Coinsurance (Med - G)$2,000
$1,250$4,000
$1,250Part-time 1 Employees (30-39 hours per week)HRA (Comp - A)
Coinsurance (Med - G)$1,500
$937.50$3,000
$1,335.75Part-time 2 Employees (20-29 hours per week)HRA (Comp - A)
Coinsurance (Med - G)$1,000
$625$2,000
$890.50
Employees also have the option to self-fund a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for unreimbursed medical expenses to offset potential out-of-pocket liability under the medical/dental plans and potentially shelter their HRA Comp-A account to allow for larger rollover to their VEBA account at plan year end.
First Stop Health - Telemedicine: The City of Bend provides First Stop Health (FSH) telemedicine benefits for FREE to all medical-enrolled employees and up to seven (7) of their immediate family members.
Dental Plan
Underwritten by MODA
$2,000 calendar year benefit maximum per covered individual includes $1,000 one-time orthodontia benefit.
Full-time employees currently pay 10% of the total composite monthly premium.
Part-time benefit-eligible employee premiums are pro-rated according to their regularly scheduled work hours (50% for employees working 20-29 hours per week; 75% for those working 30-39 hours per week).
Employee composite monthly premium:
Employee with/without Dependents
Full-time Employees$15.40
Part-time 1 Employees (30-39 hours per week)$38.53
Part-time 2 Employees (20-29 hours per week)$77.05
VEBA Plan
Administered by HRA VEBA
Individual employee account that receives tax-free rollover amounts from the City-funded HRA Comp-A account remaining at the end of each plan year. The account belongs to the employee and may be invested in mutual funds similar to deferred compensation. The account can grow, tax free, and be used for future medical expenses and can be used either while still employed or after separation/retirement.
Flexible Spending Plan (FSA)
Administered by PacificSource Administrators (PSA)
Participation in the City of Bends Flexible Spending Plan is voluntary and allows employees to pay for IRS-approved health care-related expenses and dependent care through pre-tax payroll deduction.
Life, Personal Accident (AD&D) & Long-Term Disability Plans
Underwritten by New York Life
Group Basic Term Life Insurance: Benefit-eligible employees working at least 20 hours per week are eligible for a coverage amount of one times the employees annual salary, to a maximum benefit of $150,000, with a minimum benefit of $50,000. Coverage includes person accident coverage for loss of life and/or limb, per scheduled benefit package amounts.
Group Long-term Disability Insurance: Benefit-eligible employees working at least 20 hours per week are eligible for a a benefit of up to 66.67% of employee's covered earnings to a maximum of $9,000 per month.
Voluntary Life and AD&D: Active, full time employees of the City of Bend regularly working a minimum of 20 hours per week are eligible for additional voluntary coverage for the employee, spouse/domestic partner and dependent children.
Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
The City of Bend participates in the PERS Retirement System. Employees become PERS members after working six full calendar months in a qualifying position requiring at least 600 hours worked per 12-month period. Contributions on the employee's behalf begin following completion of the six-month waiting period. The City makes "employer" contribution based on the employee's Tier I, II or OPSRP member status. The City also makes the "employee" member contribution of 6% of salary. For complete PERS program details, visit the website http://www.oregon.gov/pers
Employee Assistance Program
Underwritten by Canopy
This City-provided, confidential service helps employees privately solve problems that may interfere with work, family and life in general. Services are free to employees, their dependents and household members.
The City of Bend also offers the following voluntary benefit programs which are elective and funded through payroll deduction:
___
Temporary Medical Only Benefits:
Coverage is effective on the first day of the month, coinciding with or following date of hire. (If the first day of work is on the first calendar day of the month, coverage is effective that day.)
High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
Medical, Vision, Prescription coverage
Underwritten by PacificSource Health Plans
Full-time, temporary employee(s) currently pay 10% of the total employee(s) monthly premium. Full-time, temporary employees are eligible for employee-only medical coverage. However, there is family coverage available should the employee choose to enroll and assume financial responsibility for the difference of premium.
Employee composite monthly premium:
EmployeeEmployee & DependentsFull-time Employees$71.48$1,143.69Deductible$2,000$4,000
Flexible Spending Plan (FSA)
Administered by PacificSource Administrators (PSA)
Participation in the City of Bends Flexible Spending Plan is voluntary and allows employees to pay for IRS-approved health care-related expenses and dependent care through pre-tax payroll deduction.
Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
The City of Bend participates in the PERS Retirement System. Employees become PERS members after working six full calendar months in a qualifying position requiring at least 600 hours worked per 12-month period. Contributions on the employee's behalf begin following completion of the six-month waiting period. The City makes "employer" contribution based on the employee's Tier I, II or OPSRP member status. The City also makes the "employee" member contribution of 6% of salary. For complete PERS program details, visit the website http://www.oregon.gov/pers
Employee Assistance Program
Underwritten by Canopy
This City-provided, confidential service helps employees privately solve problems that may interfere with work, family and life in general. Services are free to employees, their dependents and household members.
The City of Bend also offers the following voluntary benefit programs which are elective and funded through payroll deduction:
If you have Federal student loan debt, (private student loans not included), or are considering going back to school, you may benefit from the Student Loan Forgiveness Program.
Always check the loan servicer and type of loan you have to ensure you qualify.
Employer City of Bend
Address 710 NW Wall Street
Bend, Oregon, 97701
Phone 541-388-5525
Website http://www.bendoregon.gov