Public Works Vice President and Civil Engineering Principal in Charge


Irvine
Permanent
$200,000 - $250,000 USD a year
Civil
PR/609389_1789060985
Public Works Vice President and Civil Engineering Principal in Charge

Vice President, Civil Engineering

Lead Growth. Shape Strategy. Build High-Impact Infrastructure.

Compensation: +200,000 Salary

An established employee-owned consulting engineering firm is seeking a senior civil engineering leader to oversee major public infrastructure programs, drive business growth, and mentor the next generation of engineering professionals.

This is an opportunity for an experienced Professional Engineer who enjoys combining technical leadership, client relationship management, and business development while helping expand a growing practice across Southern California.

What You'll Do

  • Serve as a senior leader and trusted advisor on complex civil engineering projects.
  • Develop and strengthen relationships with municipalities, public agencies, and institutional clients.
  • Lead business development efforts, including proposal strategy, client outreach, and pursuit planning.
  • Oversee project managers and technical teams to ensure successful delivery of projects on schedule and within budget.
  • Provide mentorship, coaching, and career development support to engineering staff.
  • Guide project planning, design, permitting, and construction administration activities.
  • Support strategic growth initiatives and help identify new market opportunities.
  • Collaborate with executive leadership on operational and financial performance goals.
  • Maintain a strong focus on quality, risk management, and client satisfaction.

What We're Looking For

  • Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline.
  • Active California Professional Engineer (PE) license.
  • 15+ years of progressive civil engineering experience.
  • Demonstrated success managing multidisciplinary infrastructure projects.
  • Strong track record of client development and business growth.
  • Experience leading teams, mentoring engineers, and managing project portfolios.
  • Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
  • Ability to balance technical excellence with business objectives.

Ideal Background

Candidates may come from areas such as:

  • Public Works
  • Municipal Infrastructure
  • Transportation Improvements
  • Land Development
  • Water, Wastewater, and Utility Infrastructure
  • Institutional and Government Facilities
  • Capital Improvement Programs

Why Consider This Opportunity?

  • Executive-level leadership role with significant influence on regional growth.
  • Employee-owned environment with long-term wealth-building opportunities.
  • Established project portfolio and strong market presence.
  • Collaborative culture that values leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
  • Opportunity to mentor future leaders while helping shape the strategic direction of the business.
  • Competitive compensation package, annual bonus potential, retirement benefits, and comprehensive healthcare coverage.

Compensation

Target compensation is expected to exceed $200,000+, with additional bonus and long-term ownership opportunities available for qualified candidates.

FAQs

Congratulations, we understand that taking the time to apply is a big step. When you apply, your details go directly to the consultant who is sourcing talent. Due to demand, we may not get back to all applicants that have applied. However, we always keep your CV and details on file so when we see similar roles or see skillsets that drive growth in organisations, we will always reach out to discuss opportunities.

Yes. Even if this role isn’t a perfect match, applying allows us to understand your expertise and ambitions, ensuring you're on our radar for the right opportunity when it arises.

We also work in several ways, firstly we advertise our roles available on our site, however, often due to confidentiality we may not post all. We also work with clients who are more focused on skills and understanding what is required to future-proof their business. 

That's why we recommend registering your CV so you can be considered for roles that have yet to be created. 

Yes, we help with CV and interview preparation. From customised support on how to optimise your CV to interview preparation and compensation negotiations, we advocate for you throughout your next career move.

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