Principal Engineer Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Who We Are:

West Yost is a water resource management and engineering firm focused exclusively on water. Since our founding in 1990, we have partnered with public agencies including cities, counties, utilities, and water districts to plan, design, and deliver water, wastewater, and stormwater solutions that support safe, reliable, and resilient communities.

Our team of more than 260 professionals brings together expertise in groundwater, water supply, treatment, infrastructure, recycled water, stormwater, construction management, and operations technology. We support projects from early planning and permitting through design and construction and complement our engineering services with program management and public outreach to help clients move work forward and engage their communities.

We are proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work®, and to be recognized among Fortune’s® Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services from 2023 to 2025, as well as a top-ranked firm in the AEC Advisors Diversity Index. At West Yost, we are committed to being the water firm of choice for our clients and our team, advancing water resources for future generations through strong partnerships, practical solutions, and a shared commitment to quality.

Compensation Range: $140,300 - $180,915.  Based on our Lake Oswego, OR office location.  (West Yost uses geographic salary differentials that would apply for candidates in other regions). 

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Location: Can sit in our Lake Oswego, OR, Sacramento, CA, or Concord, CA office locations. (https://www.westyost.com/locations/ ).

This is a Hybrid role with 3 days in the office and 2 days remote.

Principal Engineer – Treatment 

The Principal Engineer in Treatment Group is responsible for engaging with clients and staff on technical issues associated with the planning and design of water and/or wastewater treatment and recycled water system projects. This includes business development and proposal writing along with managing and engaging in project work from project planning stages, preliminary design, design, and support services during construction.

The candidate we are seeking will have the desire to drive our capabilities to new heights by working directly with clients and team members. This leader would have strong experience in capturing and delivering projects, developing and/or nurturing client relationships, and mentoring and managing staff. This position will provide valuable support to the Treatment Business Sector Manager. 

Other duties include:

• Lead engineering designs, preparing reports, construction drawings, specifications, and calculations for various projects.  Review project designs and drawings for compliance with engineering principles, firm standards, regulatory compliance, customer contract requirements, and related specifications.
• Establish and foster client relations and develops proposals and budgets.  Meet with clients to determine recommended project scope and estimate staffing requirements and fee.
• Develop and maintain client contact before, during, and after project completion.  Cultivate client relationships through organizational involvement and by direct contact.
• Use technical knowledge to develop technical studies/reports and designs for water and/or wastewater treatment and recycled water systems.
• Maintain four-month workload projections for all projects under personal management.  Work closely with other engineers and managers to balance workload demands amongst current staff.  
• Make recommendations to senior management as to additional staff and resource needs.  Assign staff and other resources, working with other managers to balance overall company workload and best utilize personnel.
• Prepare and conduct technical review of staff, reports, correspondence, calculations and prepare technical recommendations.  Prepare opinions of probable cost on current and new designs.  Develops fee estimates for all project types and ensures projects are delivered on schedule and within scope and budget.
• Act as Project Manager or team member on major design and construction projects. Effectively direct projects from planning through completion. Keep timely track of project progress, schedule, and budget. Monitor project scopes, request contract amendments when appropriate.
• Mentor engineering staff on technical matters and procedures and act as a technical resource.
• Contribute to technical journals and conference presentations.
• Provide quality assurance for plans and contract documents for construction of improvements within specialty area.
• Determine clients’ invoicing requirements and work with accounting staff to prepare timely monthly invoices. Prepare summary billing descriptions if appropriate or required by client. 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in in Civil/Environmental Engineering or related field.
• 15+ years’ experience in civil engineering consulting or engineering management.
• Excellent writing and communication skills are essential.
• PE licensure in the State of California and/or Oregon, or ability to obtain PE licensure within 6 months of hire.  PE licensure in other states that firm is actively practicing may also be considered.

Travel Requirements

This position may require travel to other offices and/or client offices.

A Little About the West Yost Life

You will experience many opportunities to grow and develop professionally with your colleagues through collaborative in-person work experience, knowledge sharing, and mentorship opportunities. We also offer hybrid and flexible work schedules to our employees to help promote and encourage a healthy work/life balance.  All of our team members have access to local and company-wide events, our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Workgroup, Culture Workgroup, Wellness Workgroup, book clubs, charitable giving and community service, firm-wide resources, peer groups (young professionals & middlers group), and mentorship and leadership programs.  We support and foster your career success and encourage you to be in control of your future with us.

At West Yost, we make space for connection across the firm. Each month, we hold an all-hands meeting that bring together team members from every location, including those working remotely, to stay aligned and engaged. Individual sectors and teams also hold their own monthly meeting. At the local level, our offices host gatherings, from camping trips and river rafting to community events and celebrations.

Once a year, we come together in person for our Annual All Staff event, a firmwide experience focused on learning, networking, and building relationships across teams. That evening, we continue our longest-standing tradition, the Duck Dinner, where West Yosters are encouraged to bring a guest and enjoy a night of great food, connection, and entertainment.

We work hard, and we place equal value on having fun.

Our commitment to quality begins with our hiring practices. We employ the most talented team members in our industry from all backgrounds. We are highly selective of the individuals we choose to represent the firm, seeking only those individuals whose technical abilities and commitment to client service matches our vision for excellence.  We are dedicated to our number one asset, our employees.  Because we are employee-owned, we are responsible for and rewarded by our own success. Come to West Yost where, with our support, you’ll do the best work of your life.

Standard Benefits:

We provide a comprehensive array of valuable benefits to protect your health, your family, and your way of life. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health saving accounts (with West Yost contribution), paid vacation, paid sick leave and holidays, two employee assistance programs, travel assistance program, 401(k) profit sharing with employer match, leaves of absence with additional supplemental paid time off, parental leave, life and AD&D insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and even pet insurance.

Other Unique Benefits:

You’ll be provided with support in on-going education through our 529 college savings plan/student loan repayment program, tuition reimbursement, paid professional memberships, paid training, and Leadership Academy programs. You’ll be recognized for your contributions at West Yost through milestone anniversary benefits, peer to peer recognition programs, the potential for employee stock ownership, annual monetary and paid time off bonuses, performance-based bonus eligibility, merit increase eligibility, and employee referral bonuses. We also offer a wellness reimbursement.