Urbandale is a thriving, growing community with bold plans to shape a vibrant future. As our next Senior Engineer or Staff Engineer, you’ll play a direct role in shaping the City’s future through smart infrastructure and thoughtful design. Whether you’re early in your career or bring years of engineering experience, this role is a chance to put your skills to work on projects that directly improve daily life for Urbandale residents.
Join our team as an Engineer and help shape the future of Urbandale.
Target Audience
- Civil engineers seeking their first municipal role
- Experienced engineers looking to step into senior-level leadership
- Professionals with backgrounds in transportation, stormwater, or utilities
- Candidates seeking a stable, supportive workplace with strong benefits
- Engineers who value seeing projects move from concept to completion
- Problem-solvers who want to improve everyday life in their community
Notable Opportunities
- Work on projects that shape how Urbandale grows and functions
- Take responsibility for in-house design plans and major construction oversight
- Collaborate directly with consultants, contractors, and developers
- Contribute to a team that values innovation, problem-solving, and public service
- Gain long-term career growth in a high-performing, well-resourced department
Why This Role Matters
Impact from the Start
Engineering in Urbandale is about building a city that works today and lasts for generations. As our next Senior or Staff Engineer, you’ll see your projects come to life in ways that touch residents every single day, from safer streets and smarter traffic systems to stormwater solutions that protect our environment. This role is a chance to combine technical know-how with forward-thinking design. Urbandale is committed to sustainability, and we’re looking for engineers who want to innovate. If you want your work to make a visible, lasting difference, this is the opportunity.
A Little Of Our Story
Collaborative Culture
Engineering is a team effort, and in Urbandale you’ll be part of a department that knows how to deliver results the community can see and feel. Our Engineering team is made up of experienced, forward-thinking professionals who care deeply about building smart, resilient infrastructure that supports the City’s future. Every day brings new and exciting challenges, from designing the next road project to managing construction in the field, to advancing sustainable practices that protect our environment. We take pride in what we build, we take our responsibility seriously, and we also enjoy the camaraderie that comes from tackling meaningful projects together.
Apply NowAbout the City and the Department
The City of Urbandale operates under a Council–Manager form of government, and at the center of day-to-day operations is a talented group of Department Directors who lead every corner of the organization. These Directors oversee the full range of municipal services—they are seasoned professionals who not only manage their teams and budgets, but also bring vision and expertise to the City’s biggest initiatives.
The Engineering & Public Works Department is a critical part of this team, responsible for designing, maintaining, and improving the infrastructure that supports Urbandale’s growth and quality of life. From preparing in-house design plans to overseeing major construction projects, the department manages the systems that residents interact with every day—streets, traffic networks, stormwater management, and more. The team also maintains the City’s infrastructure asset database, ensures compliance with environmental regulations, and manages consultant contracts and subdivision plan reviews.
With a focus on efficiency, sustainability, and innovation, the Engineering & Public Works Department works to keep Urbandale connected, resilient, and ready for the future. The department’s leadership—Director of Engineering & Public Works John Larson, Assistant Director of Engineering Kristin Brostrom, and Assistant Director of Public Works Tim Stovie—guide a team that takes pride in problem-solving, teamwork, and delivering projects that matter. Together, they ensure that Urbandale’s infrastructure is built to last and that residents experience the high level of service and reliability the City is known for.
John leads the Engineering & Public Works Department, overseeing the infrastructure and essential services that keep the city moving every day. His team manages everything from street design, traffic flow, and stormwater systems to snow removal, garbage collection, and fleet services. John joined the City of Urbandale in 2003 and is known for combining technical expertise with a practical, down-to-earth approach—whether it’s delivering complex capital improvement projects or responding quickly to community needs. By blending long-term planning with day-to-day service excellence, he helps make Urbandale a well-connected, resilient, and thriving community.
Kristin brings more than 20 years of engineering experience to her role as Assistant Director of Engineering. She joined the City of Urbandale in 2014 after serving as a Transportation Engineer Specialist at the Iowa Department of Transportation. A licensed Professional Engineer in Iowa, she holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Iowa State University and a BA in Political Science from Wheaton College. Kristin oversees construction projects, design work, consultant contracts, and development plan reviews while helping advance sustainable design practices across City projects.
As Assistant Director of Public Works, Tim manages the operational side of the department, coordinating the teams responsible for maintaining Urbandale’s streets, stormwater systems, and critical public infrastructure. He ensures field operations run safely and efficiently while responding to the everyday needs of a growing community. Tim’s leadership supports both reliability and innovation, helping Urbandale deliver the high-quality services residents expect.
Urbandale is more than just where you’ll work — it’s where you’ll want to stay, play, and build a life.
95
of residents rate Urbandale as an excellent or good place to live.
96
of residents rank Urbandale as an excellent or good place to raise children.
93
of residents rank the overall quality of life in Urbandale as excellent or good.
97
of residents report feeling safe in their neighborhood during the day.
50
parks and 40+ playgrounds are located in Urbandale.
57
miles of paved recreation trails are in Urbandale.
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