Principal Civil Engineer | Seattle, WA
Principal Civil Engineer | Seattle, WA
About the Company
A globally recognized, award-winning structural and civil engineering firm headquartered in Seattle is growing its civil engineering practice. With a century of engineering excellence behind it and a portfolio spanning aviation, civic, cultural, healthcare, education, residential, and commercial projects across the U.S. and internationally, the firm is known for delivering innovative, technically sophisticated engineering solutions on some of the most complex and high-profile projects in the industry. The civil engineering group has a strong focus on sustainable design, urban infrastructure, and public realm development.
The Role
A principal-level civil engineering position for a senior leader ready to drive business development, lead technical execution, and shape the strategic growth of the civil practice in the Pacific Northwest. You'll work alongside firm leadership, manage key client relationships, and provide technical direction across a diverse portfolio of complex projects.
Responsibilities
Business Development and Client Leadership
- Create and execute business development strategies that expand the civil practice and support firm growth
- Identify market opportunities and pursue new business across commercial, civic, and mixed-use sectors
- Cultivate long-term relationships with existing and prospective clients
- Lead major pursuits, proposals, interview presentations, and contract negotiations
- Represent the firm within professional organizations and the broader engineering community
Leadership and Operations
- Provide strategic leadership for the civil engineering practice
- Collaborate with firm leadership on strategic planning, staffing, and operational objectives
- Guide workload management, resource allocation, and project staffing plans
- Mentor civil engineering staff and support succession planning and development of future leaders
Technical Leadership
- Direct civil engineering project execution and provide overall technical oversight
- Lead site civil design efforts across grading, drainage, stormwater management, utility infrastructure, and public realm improvements
- Develop permitting and entitlement strategies and guide clients through complex approval processes
- Conduct technical reviews of engineering documents, calculations, reports, and construction documents
- Establish and uphold QA/QC standards and promote engineering excellence across the team
- Represent the firm in key client meetings, public hearings, and project forums
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering (Master's preferred)
- Washington State PE license
- 15+ years of progressively responsible civil engineering and leadership experience
- Experience across complex commercial, civic, or mixed-use project types
- Proven track record in business development and client relationship management
- Strong technical writing, communication, and presentation skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Multi-state PE licensure
- Experience with sustainable design, stormwater innovation, or urban public realm projects
- Established client relationships in the Seattle and broader Pacific Northwest market
- Experience leading and mentoring high-performing civil engineering teams
Why This Role Stands Out
- Join a century-old firm with an unmatched reputation for engineering excellence
- Work on some of the most complex and high-profile projects in the Pacific Northwest and beyond
- Real autonomy over practice growth, client relationships, and technical direction
- Collaborative, intellectually driven culture with a strong emphasis on innovation and sustainability
- Clear influence over the long-term direction of the civil engineering practice
Compensation
- $150,000 to $250,000 base salary depending on experience, plus performance-based bonus
- Full benefits package
Interested?
This role is being managed confidentially. To learn more or express interest, reach out directly to Luke Merickel
FAQs
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