Description
The Position
The City of Manhattan Beach is seeking a customer-focused, collaborative, and strategic leader to serve as its next City Engineer. This pivotal role offers an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned professional to shape the future of the City’s infrastructure, lead impactful capital improvement projects, and guide a talented engineering team in a dynamic and engaged coastal community. The ideal candidate will strike a balance between strong operational oversight and long-term strategic planning, ensuring the City’s vital assets are effectively managed and enhanced in support of the community’s high quality of life.
Under administrative direction, the City Engineer provides comprehensive leadership and direction to the Engineering Division. Responsibilities include planning, managing, and coordinating a full range of engineering services, including the preparation and execution of the $188,686,564 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for streets, water systems, sewer systems, storm drains, and other municipal assets. The role also oversees public works inspection projects, manages engineering permit services, and coordinates the review and approval of engineering plans.
As a leader, the City Engineer is responsible for selecting, training, supervising, and evaluating professional and technical staff, while fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement. This position manages the division’s operating budget, provides recommendations regarding staffing, equipment, and capital projects, and closely monitors expenditures for compliance. Other key functions include managing traffic signal design and maintenance, leading infrastructure condition assessments across all major systems, and ensuring adherence to regulatory standards through proactive coordination with regional agencies and City departments. Reporting to the Director of Public Works (Director), the City Engineer serves as a trusted technical advisor, presenting staff reports and recommendations to the Director and other designated bodies. The City Engineer is also responsible for reviewing and approving private development plans, maps, and engineering design changes, ensuring that appropriate conditions are placed to mitigate impacts on public infrastructure. Success in this role requires the ability to clearly communicate complex development regulations—exercising flexibility where appropriate, while firmly upholding mandatory requirements.
Compensation and Benefits
The expected hiring range is $178,272 - $233,904, depending on qualifications, with an excellent benefits package. Learn more about our options and employee-based benefits here.
How to Apply
Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis at jobs.crelate.com. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will be open until filled with a first review of applications beginning October 20, 2025.
Questions
Please direct questions to Serena Wright-Black at [email protected] and Niayla Hairston at [email protected].
Requirements
Qualifications
Minimum requirements include a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field from an accredited four-year college or university. Eight years of progressively responsible professional and project management experience involving civil engineering work and the design, administration, and inspection of public works construction projects and rights-of-ways, and the plan review of private development projects is also required. Previous experience with, and knowledge of, the government RFP process, including bidding and contract negotiations, is required.
The ability to obtain a valid California driver’s license and the possession of a valid certificate of registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Civil Engineers.
Preferred qualifications include a master’s degree and three years of supervisory experience in the public sector.
