Traffic Engineer
City of Sunnyvale Sunnyvale, California, United States
- Location: Sunnyvale, California, United States
- Categories: Engineering, Transportation or Transit
- Job Type: Full Time
- Posted: Jun 20, 2026
Job Description:
Traffic Engineer
Description
DescriptionTwo Regular Full-Time Employment Opportunities
Work for the City of Sunnyvale: The Heart of the Silicon Valley! Visitors and residents enjoy Sunnyvale's beautiful, clean suburban setting, efficient, high-quality city services, low crime rate, quality schools and prize-winning parks. The City is recruiting for two Traffic Engineers.
One Traffic Engineer position will manage, coordinate, and oversee the City’s Traffic Calming Program. Key responsibilities include working with residents on traffic calming requests, collecting and analyzing traffic data, conducting public outreach, developing and implementing traffic calming measures to address community concerns, conducting after studies, and preparing recommendations for City Council consideration. This position will also manage the traffic issue request queue for all types of requests, working with the rest of the division on evaluations, resolutions, and responses to the requests. This position may also perform other duties as assigned.
A second Traffic Engineer position will help manage, coordinate and oversee large transportation infrastructure projects from planning through construction. This position will support our Transportation Special Projects team, working closely with a Principal Transportation Engineer and a Senior Traffic Engineer primarily on the delivery of large-scale transportation infrastructure projects for the City. Responsibilities include advancing projects through various stages of development and implementation, representing the City in coordination with stakeholders and partner agencies, applying for and managing grant funding related to the projects, overseeing consultant teams, reviewing technical plans, specifications and reports, conducting public outreach; providing traffic related technical support to other Public Works divisions, and performing other duties as assigned.
The City of Sunnyvale offers:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Retiree medical benefits available
- Paid Time Off (PTO) Accruals
- Paid Holidays
- Employee Wellness Programs
To view the full job description, click here.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Traffic Engineer/Transportation Engineer is the journey level classification in the traffic engineering series. Incumbents are expected to be thoroughly familiar with the operating procedures and policies of the assigned area of responsibility, and to perform the work with only occasional instruction or assistance required as new or unusual situations arise.
Essential Job Functions
(May include, but are not limited to, the following):
- Performs neighborhood traffic studies in keeping with the City's adopted "Traffic Calming" policy; works with neighborhood groups in identifying problems and potential solutions; organizes and conducts neighborhood meetings and attempts to develop consensus on alternatives and implementation of actions.
- Provides support for the City's appointed Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC); researches bicycle issues, develops improvement plans and prepares reports to the BPAC.
- Disseminates information regarding the City's Transportation Demand Management and vehicular air quality issues.
- Writes memos, correspondence and reports regarding a wide variety of transportation issues, projects and programs.
- Prepares specifications, plans, estimates and reports pertaining to the construction, maintenance and operation of traffic engineering facilities and street lighting systems.
- Performs professional engineering duties and advises subdividers and developers on traffic engineering and street lighting requirements.
- Prepares recommendations for Council action on speed limit ordinances; meets with representatives of other governmental agencies, major employers and with citizen groups to discuss traffic problems.
- Acts in an advisory capacity to other City departments and divisions on matters related to traffic control and safety.
- Supervises and assists in field traffic engineering studies, topographical and construction surveys for streets, traffic control and traffic flow developments.
- Performs construction inspection work requiring specialized traffic engineering knowledge.
- Administers and coordinates the repair and maintenance by contract personnel of traffic signal equipment and reviews and approves invoices for payments; designs traffic striping and signing for pedestrian and vehicular movement.
- Performs traffic signal system programming and operation tasks, and conducts limited maintenance of the traffic signal system.
- May provide supervision to contract signal maintenance personnel.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine motor coordination when using a computer keyboard. Near vision is required when reading plans, written reports and other documents, and far vision is required when inspecting work sites. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The need to lift, carry and push tools, equipment and supplies weighing up to 25 pounds is also required. The job duties may expose the employee to the outdoors, which may include exposure to fumes, dust, allergens and air contaminants. The nature of the work may also require the incumbent to work in construction zones and heavy traffic conditions. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:
The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering, AND
Two years of experience performing relevant, professional level work in traffic, transportation or civil engineering.
Current registration as a Professional Civil or Traffic Engineer issued by the State of California is required.
Knowledge and Abilities:
Working knowledge of:
- Modern principles and practices of traffic engineering as applied to the construction and maintenance of public works projects and traffic control programs.
- Applicable laws, codes and regulations.
- Micro-processor and computers utilized for traffic controls.
- Engineering mathematics, including geometry.
- Drafting and survey methods, tools, instruments and techniques.
- Traffic control devices, traffic engineering, traffic safety and traffic operations.
- Computer applications related to the work, including computer-aided traffic modeling concepts and applications.
- Standard and alternative engineering construction materials.
- Office practices, methods and equipment, including a computer and applicable software.
- Effectively represent the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional and regulatory organizations and with property owners and the public.
- Analyze traffic engineering data and reports; evaluate alternatives and reach sound decisions.
- Interpret and work from design and construction plans, sketches and diagrams.
- Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
- Interpret, apply and explain laws, codes, regulations and ordinances.
- Provide excellent customer service to the public and other City employees.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Prepare clear and concise written and oral reports and recommendations.
- Work independently and as a member of a team.
- Operate a personal computer, photocopier, facsimile machine and other standard office equipment.
- Travel to various sites within the City.
- Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.
Licenses and Certificates
Possession of and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license and a safe driving record.
Registration as a Professional Civil or Traffic Engineer issued by the State of California is required.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Possession of an International Municipal Signal Association (I.M.S.A.) Level I and Level II Traffic Signal Technician certificates.
Working knowledge of AutoCAD, Traffix, aaSIDRA, Synchro and/or Crossroads software.
Application and Selection Process
APPLICATION PROCESS
If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a City of Sunnyvale employment application and responses to the supplemental questions to the Department of Human Resources by 5:00 pm on Monday, July 20, 2026 (postmarks or faxes are not accepted).
Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience or skills relevant to this position. Electronic applications may be submitted on-line through the City's employment page at Sunnyvale.ca.gov and click on Jobs. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
EXAM PROCESS
Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position. Based upon a review of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the examination process, which may consist of an oral examination scheduled for Tuesday, August 4, 2026.(Note: The examination process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Director of Human Resources).
SELECTION PROCESS
Those candidates that receive a passing score on the examination will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year, in accordance with the City's Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies. Top candidates on the eligibility list will be invited to participate in an in-person selection interview with the department scheduled for the week of August 10, 2026 . Any candidate that is selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a background history check, as well as a medical exam(s) administered by a City selected physician(s) before hire. Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.
INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION
Please note: Any successful candidate, selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e. original copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONPositions in this job classification are represented by the Sunnyvale Employees Association (SEA).
For assistance on how to fill out your job application, watch the following video:
- How to Apply for a City of Sunnyvale Job- YouTube (5:13)
The City of Sunnyvale is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state, or local laws. The City of Sunnyvale is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 730-7490 or [email protected] .
Summary of Sunnyvale's Employees Association (For Full Time Positions) SEA Benefits
Summary of Service Employees International Union, Local 521 (For Part Time Positions)SEIU Benefits
Notice of CFRA (California Family Rights Act) Rights and Obligations
Closing Date/Time: 7/20/2026 5:00 PM Pacific