Description

Senior Utility Engineer

City of Kirkland, Washington

Salary: $141,708 - $166,716 

The City of Kirkland, Washington, is located on the northeastern shoreline of Lake Washington, with views across the water to Seattle and out to the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges. This lakefront community combines a small-town feel, a strong sense of history, and a deep appreciation for quality of life with the amenities of metropolitan living and the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Residents and visitors enjoy award-winning parks, a vibrant downtown waterfront, accredited public safety programs, quality schools, and a healthy, diverse business community. Incorporated in 1905, Kirkland has grown into a vibrant city of roughly 96,000 residents and ranks among the most compact and walkable suburban cities in Washington State. With its lakefront setting, cultural richness, and easy access to the wider Puget Sound region, Kirkland offers an exceptional quality of life for individuals and families alike.

The City of Kirkland’s Public Works Department oversees vital services, including stormwater management, transportation, water and wastewater systems, maintenance of streets and grounds, and capital improvement projects. Kirkland Public Works is seeking a Senior Utility Engineer to support the planning, design, and delivery of critical water and wastewater infrastructure. Reporting to the Deputy Director-Engineering, Planning & Development Services, this new position provides senior technical administration and project management for complex municipal utility engineering projects, including the planning, design, and construction of water and wastewater utility projects for both capital improvements and private development. This position is distinct from the Senior Development Engineer and Senior Surface Water Engineer, functioning much like the Senior Project Engineer in the Capital Improvement Program Division. The ideal candidate will demonstrate expertise in project management, engineering design, and construction administration, along with the ability to coordinate across multiple divisions, consultants, and external agencies. The role works in person at Kirkland City Hall and the Public Works Maintenance Center, with a typical Monday through Friday schedule and occasional evening or weekend work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications: A bachelor of science degree in civil engineering or a closely related field. Seven (7) years of experience in utility engineering and/or planning, including three (3) years of direct project management experience. In place of the requirements above, a candidate may possess any equivalent combination of relevant education and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skill, and ability to proficiently perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed in the full job description. Licenses and other Requirements: A valid Washington State Driver’s license and the ability to remain insurable under the City’s insurance to operate motor vehicles. A Washington State Professional Engineer license is required, or the ability to obtain through comity within 6 months. Three (3) years of experience in utility management in a government setting, including municipal, state, or federal government, is preferred.

This position includes a health insurance benefit package with 100% City-paid premiums for 1.0 FTE positions, including medical, dental, and vision coverage for the employee and dependents. Premiums are prorated for positions of less than 1.0 FTE, with cost shared between the City and the employee. Participation in the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems Public Employees’ Retirement System is mandatory for all eligible positions. (Please see the complete position profile for additional benefits information and for a link to a full review of city benefits and perks.)

For a complete position profile, job description, and to apply online, visit Prothman at https://www.prothman.com/ and click on "Open Recruitments". For questions, call 206-368-0050. The City of Kirkland is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Apply by July 26, 2026. (First review, open until filled.)