Salary : $149,240.00 - $196,560.00 Annually
Location : Palo Alto, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 202400507
Department: Utilities Department
Opening Date: 09/16/2025
Closing Date: Continuous

Description

The City of Palo Alto Utilities is the only city in California that offers a full range of utility services to its citizens and businesses. This gives the City a unique opportunity to collaborate with the Palo Alto community, providing homegrown, reliable, and environmentally focused utilities. With over 100 years of successful public utility operations, Palo Alto continues its tradition of delivering safe services, local decision-making on policies, utility rate-setting, environmental programs, and tailored solutions for the community. Join the City as a Project Engineer, where you'll shape safety standards, lead innovative projects, and ensure the efficiency of vital gas systems for our community!
Career Opportunity

The Project Engineer reports to the Principal Engineer of the Gas Group within the Water-Gas-Wastewater (WGW) Engineering and Operations Division. In this role, you will manage public contracts, oversee Capital Improvement Projects for natural gas distribution facilities, and assist with safety inspections conducted by state and federal regulators. You'll also contribute to the development of WGW Utility Standards, support Engineering and Operations staff, and create engineering designs for natural gas distribution system improvements using programs such as AutoCAD, GIS, and Synergi Gas. Additional responsibilities include researching as-built information, recording data, and collecting GPS survey data for existing facilities.

The ideal candidate will possess the following attributes:

• Strong technical background in natural gas distribution or transmission engineering principles
• A B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited institution
• At least 10 years of experience in natural gas distribution or transmission
• Experience with interpreting and applying the Code of Federal Regulations, specifically Title 49, Parts 190, 191, 192, and 199
• In-depth knowledge of natural gas distribution or transmission operations and maintenance procedures
• Proficiency in AutoCAD and other industry-standard drafting tools and techniques
• Strong foundational drafting skills
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities

Embark on this rewarding career. Apply today!

Benefits: The City offers a fantastic benefits package that includes affordable healthcare plans, generous retirement packages, paid parental leave, convenient commuter programs and !
Compensation (SEIU): Comprehensive compensation plan.To learn more, click.
Schedule: 9/80 work schedule (with every other Friday off).

Depending on the applicant's qualifications, the position will be filled at the appropriate level/salary of eitherProject Engineer($160,451.20 - $196,560.00 Annually) or Engineer($149,240.00 - $182,811.20 Annually)
This is a continuous recruitment and may remain open until filled.

First review of applications will take place on October 6, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.
This position is represented by Service Employee International Union position (SEIU).

Essential Duties

Positions allocated to this level in the Utilities Gas Engineering Section may additionally perform the following duties:

• Provides gas distribution technical guidance to Engineers, Engineering Associates, and Engineering Assistants, as well as other departments and outside consultants on major projects.
• Implements gas distribution CIP projects and other safety improvements by working with contractors, consultants, other City departments, and Federal and State agencies.
• Performs field checks on in-progress and completed in-house and contract construction work to assure results.
• Conducts field inspections on CIP projects to ensure Utility Standards and project plans are adhered to by contractors.
• Develops utilities materials standards, equipment specifications, and operating procedures.
• Uses hydraulic models as a tool for gas distribution system planning and recommends system improvements.
• Assures that the efforts and activities of private consultants are utilized efficiently and effectively.
• Handles complaints and/or inquiries about projects in a professional manner.
• Writes, reviews, and edits Staff Reports to City Council and engineering reports.
• Other duties as assigned.

To see full job description of Project Engineer, click .
To see full job description of Engineer, click .
Minimum Qualifications
Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities, which would typically be acquired through:

• Bachelor of Science degree in civil, mechanical, or other approved engineering curriculum depending upon assigned area.

AND

• Equivalent to four years increasingly responsible engineering experience.

(Note: PE Certificate or Master's Degree in Engineering may be considered in lieu of one year of experience.)
Special Requirements for Project Engineer:

• Registration as a professional engineer in the State of California.
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License.

Special Requirements for Engineer:

• Registration as a professional engineer in the State of California required to attain top step in Engineer classification.
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License.

Supplemental Information
The Selection Process:

• Recruitment status notifications will be sent via email or text (please enroll in text alerts when applying).
• Updates can also be found on your governmentjobs.com account.
• Applicants will be screened throughout the posting process and highly qualified candidates may be invited to interview at any time.
• The screening process for this position may include a virtual recorded interview and/or panel interviews preceding final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.

• This posting may be used to fill more than one vacancy.

For technical issues applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.
The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
See our Benefits at a Glance Bookletfor more details.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking
01

Describe your engineering experience related to natural gas distribution or transmission utility systems.
02

Describe your experience using, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49 Part 190, 191, 192, and 199? What other regulations are you familiar with, if any?
03

Describe your experience managing programs and plans specific to natural gas distribution or transmission.
04

Describe your experience with construction management and managing contractors.
05

Do you hold a current Professional Engineer (P.E.) license issued by the State of California?

• Yes
• No

Required Question