Transportation Safety Principal Engineer (Principal Engineer/Architect)-Department of Transportation

About the role

The Department of Transportation (DOT) plans, develops, operates, and maintains transportation facilities, services, and related systems which contribute to the livability and economic health of the City. We comprise a team of more than 500 people ready to serve the needs of our residents to improve the efficiency and safety of San José streets. We are an energetic and innovative team that is improving transportation in one of the nation’s largest cities, while focusing on safety, sustainability, and active public life!

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, supervision, and performance management for 3 Senior Transportation Engineers and an organization of approximately 30 engineering and technical staff.
• Establish program priorities, allocate resources, and provide strategic direction across multiple traffic safety and neighborhood transportation programs.
• Direct the planning, design, implementation, and evaluation of traffic calming, pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, school safety, and quick-build transportation improvement projects.
• Lead the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program, overseeing neighborhood traffic studies, community engagement, and implementation of traffic calming measures.
• Oversee the Vision Zero Quick Build Program, ensuring rapid delivery of safety improvements using data-driven and innovative transportation solutions.
• Manage the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Program, prioritizing and implementing infrastructure improvements that improve pedestrian accessibility and reduce severe injury collisions.
• Direct the Safe Routes to School Program, partnering with schools, community organizations, and City departments to improve safety for students walking and bicycling to school.
• Provide executive-level oversight of program budgets, schedules, consultant contracts, grant-funded projects, and capital improvement initiatives.
• Develop long-range work plans and ensure programs align with City priorities, Council direction, and departmental strategic objectives.
• Foster collaboration across City departments, Council Offices, external agencies, school districts, and community organizations.
• Present recommendations, program updates, and technical information to executive leadership, elected officials, commissions, and community stakeholders.
• Monitor program performance using data and performance metrics to continuously improve project delivery and operational effectiveness.
• Mentor and develop management staff while promoting a collaborative, innovative, and customer-focused work environment.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the required professional discipline.

Experience: Eight (8) years of progressively responsible, directly related professional experience, including at least three (3) years of experience at a level equivalent to Senior Engineer or Senior Architect.

Certifications/Licenses: Certificate of Registration in a relevant professional engineering discipline.

Form 700 Requirement: This position requires a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income, and business positions. You must complete and file an “Assuming Office Form 700” with the City Clerk’s Office within the first 30 days of employment with the office.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership experience managing managers and leading large, multidisciplinary engineering organizations.
• Experience delivering transportation safety, traffic engineering, capital improvement, or neighborhood management programs.
• Knowledge of traffic engineering principles, Manual On Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), Vision Zero strategies, Complete Streets, traffic calming, and multimodal transportation design.
• Experience managing consultant contracts, public outreach, budgets, and complex transportation projects.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build consensus among diverse audiences.
• A proven ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives while fostering accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Skills

• Leadership
• Project Management
• Communication
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Problem Solving
• Collaboration
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Initiative
• Management
• Political Skills
• Vision/Strategic Thinking

Benefits

The City of San José offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement savings, paid time off, and more. Employees also have access to wellness programs, employee assistance programs, and professional development opportunities.

Pay

The starting salary range for this position is $96,000 - $112,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience.

Schedule

This is a limit-dated position that is anticipated to be funded through June 30, 2031, subject to further extension as appropriate. However, should this position be discontinued through the budget process, the City may seek to place you in other internal job opportunities based on your previous work experience.