Civil Designer Jobs in California
Civil Designer jobs in California are highly active, with strong demand across transportation infrastructure, water resources, land development, and public works projects at every level from entry-level drafter to senior project designer. The largest hiring concentrations are in Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Sacramento region, where firms like AECOM, WSP, and Kimley-Horn maintain significant California operations. The most sought-after specialties include roadway and highway design, grading and drainage, and utility corridor planning. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
Take Your Design Career to the Next Level
Kleinfelder, a Forbes' Top Employer for Engineers in North America, is committed to a people-first culture, technical excellence, and creating opportunities where employees can thrive!
Are you ready to be challenged, make a difference, and experience professional growth in your career? Our collaborative, multidisciplinary group spanning architectural, structural, civil, electrical, mechanical, process engineering, pipeline design, and integrity management works together to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions.
ROLE
Our Kleinfelder San Diego office is seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Mechanical / Civil Designer to join our team. This role requires a minimum of ten (10) years of progressive drafting and design experience supporting mechanical layouts, piping, civil, structural, and industrial infrastructure projects. Experience delivering multidisciplinary design packages for municipal, industrial, water/wastewater, and transportation is highly preferred. The successful candidate will provide senior-level drafting and design services related to piping systems, process mechanical equipment, civil infrastructure, utility layouts, structural supports, and associated facility systems. Work will be performed in accordance with Kleinfelder and client-specific standards, with an emphasis on producing high-quality construction documents and coordinated multidisciplinary deliverables.
Candidates must demonstrate advanced proficiency in current versions of AutoCAD, Plant 3D, CadWorx, Civil 3D, Revit, and/or MicroStation, along with strong experience developing detailed 2D drawings and 3D models for mechanical, piping, and civil systems. Familiarity with local drafting standards, title block requirements, and transportation-related drafting procedures is considered a strong asset. As a key member of the project team, the Senior Designer will collaborate closely with engineers, project managers, and multidisciplinary staff to deliver accurate and coordinated design packages while meeting demanding project schedules. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical drafting expertise, excellent communication skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
The successful candidate will also mentor and support junior CADD staff, provide technical drafting guidance, and assist with maintaining drafting standards and best practices. Strong organizational and time management skills are essential, including the ability to manage multiple concurrent assignments while consistently delivering high-quality work on schedule.
Local candidates are highly preferred however remote candidates may be considered.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum 10 years of experience in 2D design and 3D modeling with ACAD, Revit, MicroStation, CadWorx, and Plant 3D. Experience with 3D scanning is a plus.
- Experience with hydraulics, pipe fittings, civil layouts and multi-discipline projects is required.
- Technical Diploma in drafting design or equivalent is a must. A Bachelor's degree or Associates degree is highly preferred – an equivalent combination of experience and education would be considered.
Responsibilities
- Prepare electronic working plans and technical drawings that are in compliance with project standards and goals.
- Read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications.
- Establish and modify personal work processes according to industry guidelines and procedures.
- Work closely with design discipline lead/engineers and design team members to ensure design documents are completed according to deadlines.
- Work closely, provide guidance and assistance to team members and Lead as needed.
- Provide input into design budget and hour estimates as required to support proposals and cost estimates.
- Provide assistance in the development of work practices and procedures as required.
- Perform conceptual layout work, develop design details, check drawings prior to release.
- Knowledge of industry or regulatory standards, regulations and codes pertinent to the design and systems related to the project.
- Must function independently with minimal supervision in a multi-discipline team setting.
- Must demonstrate strong problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot issues.
- Computer knowledge is required including Microsoft® Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Teams, Sharepoint).
- Job is performed in an office environment; site travel may be required, depending on project.
COMPETENCIES & SKILLS
- Strong communication, collaboration, and customer service skills.
- Ability to handle very detailed work and demonstrate a high level of accuracy.
- Helpful and willing to provide mentorship as needed.
- Have a “get it done” attitude and proactive.
- Strong time management skills with the ability to multi-task and manage multiple deadlines.
- Must be able to work in a team environment and independently with minimal supervision.
Following an offer, candidates will be required to satisfactorily complete employment reference checks, verification of professional licensure and/or educational credentials, a motor vehicle report (MVR), and a comprehensive background check.
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $63,206 - 105,487.
Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, offers an excellent compensation and benefits package, including: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid holidays. The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the California Pay Transparency Law. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
We are committed to investing in the professional development of our staff, offering each employee every opportunity to grow, develop, and take control of their career paths. We support these efforts through reimbursements for continuing education as well as many of the expenses associated with trainings and certifications, and opportunities for career development through our internal Mentoring Program.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans. (Compliant with the new VEVRAA and Section 503 rules)
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES
Please note that Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, will not consider or agree to payment for any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resume, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Kleinfelder.
LI-SF1
See All 32 Civil Designer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Civil Designer JobsCivil Designer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Civil Designer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- KPFF Consulting Engineers8

- HAZEN AND SAWYER5

- Pse Consulting Engineers4

- Stantec3

- GEI Consultants2

Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services27
- Construction & Real Estate2
- Electronics & Hardware1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in civil designer jobs across California.
- Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification from the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists preferred or required
- Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D or Bentley MicroStation for design and drafting work
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, civil engineering technology, or a closely related field
- Experience producing construction documents including grading plans, utility layouts, and roadway alignments
- Familiarity with California Department of Transportation Caltrans standards, manuals, and design guidelines
- Strong collaboration skills for coordinating with project engineers, surveyors, and local California agency reviewers
Civil Designer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a civil designer in California?
Most civil designers in California hold a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or civil engineering technology and pursue Engineer-in-Training certification through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam. Employers across the state prioritize candidates familiar with Caltrans standards and local agency requirements. Building proficiency in Civil 3D and assembling a portfolio of design work, even from academic projects, strengthens a candidate's position considerably.
How much do civil designers make in California?
Civil designers in California earn a median of about $83,490 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $54,690 for the lowest 10% to over $111,150 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire civil designers in California?
Employers hiring civil designers in California right now include KPFF Consulting Engineers, HAZEN AND SAWYER, and Pse Consulting Engineers, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's large public infrastructure programs and active land development market keep demand from both engineering consulting firms and public agencies consistently strong throughout the state.
Which California cities have the most civil designer jobs?
Los Angeles, San Diego, and Irvine have the most civil designer openings in California. Los Angeles draws volume from major transportation and utility corridor projects, San Diego from defense-adjacent infrastructure and coastal development, and Sacramento from proximity to Caltrans headquarters and state agency capital improvement programs, which funnel work to firms throughout the region.
Are there remote civil designer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're relatively limited. About 38% of civil designer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, since much of the work involves site-specific design requiring coordination with field crews and local agencies. The tasks most suited to remote arrangements are production drafting, plan checking, and design calculations that don't require daily on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a civil designer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to engineering consulting firms that hire designer-in-training or CAD technician roles, which serve as the standard on-ramp at firms like AECOM, Kimley-Horn, and regional California civil engineering practices. Completing an EIT designation, even before graduating, signals seriousness to California hiring managers. Lateral moves from survey technician or construction inspector roles are also common. A portfolio showing Civil 3D grading plans or roadway alignments, even from coursework, gives candidates without professional experience a concrete advantage.
Where can I find and apply to civil designer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to civil designer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 32 Civil Designer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Civil Designer Jobs