Civil Engineer Jobs in San Diego, CA
Civil Engineer jobs in San Diego are concentrated along the waterfront, in Mission Valley, and across the Kearny Mesa corridor, driven by demand from transportation infrastructure, military installation upgrades, and coastal development projects. Bowman, LPA, and PacRim Engineering are among the employers actively hiring right now. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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KPFF Consulting Engineers provides structural and civil engineering services to architects, government agencies, developers, and contractors for projects with a wide range of functions. Established in 1960, KPFF has offices in Austin, Birmingham, Boise, Chicago, Des Moines, Eugene, Irvine, Lacey, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Louisville, Nashville, Newport Beach, New York City, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Spokane, St. Louis, Tacoma, and Washington, DC..
KPFF's civil engineering staff accomplishes projects for site development, parks, and recreation facilities and the improvements to existing city streets, urban arterials, and highways. Scope of services may include site planning, environmental analysis, storm drainage studies, wetlands enhancement, permit coordination, and design of site grading, drainage, storm detention, utilities, access roads, parking facilities, and public street improvements.
In addition to typical site development engineering, our civil group serves as a prime consultant to government clients for management and design of transportation, waterfront, site improvements, and major utility projects.
Our engineers work in dynamic teams with open communication and strong support from senior-level mentors. These teams work directly with our clients on some of the most challenging projects in the region. We promote decision-making at the level closest to the issue in order to most efficiently and effectively serve our clients, and to promote professional growth for our staff.
Job Description
KPFF San Diego is actively hiring for motivated, energetic, and experienced civil engineers with three to five years of experience. Applications should include resume and cover letter.
The selected candidate will be responsible for civil engineering design of site development projects including rough and precise grading, water, sewer, storm drain, hydrology and hydraulic calculations, and coordinating work with other staff and design team members. In addition to strong technical knowledge, other responsibilities will include research, coordination, permitting, and preparation of construction documents as well as technical specifications.
Qualifications
- E.I.T. or P.E.
- Must have three to five years of relevant site development engineering experience
- Must be a self-starter and self-motivated
- Must have experience with applicable software applications including hydrology modeling, storm drainage programs, AutoCAD, and Civil3D
- Must be proficient with MS Office Suite
- Must have excellent communication skills as well as time management and organizational skills
- Able to work both independently and in a team environment
- Ability to work on multiple projects and deliverables simultaneously
- Ability to visit job sites to inspect existing conditions and envision potential scope of work requirements.
- Ability to sit and/or stand for prolonged periods of time at a desk working on a computer and viewing a screen
- Ability to apply established engineering principles to solve problems and/or overcome obstacles using sound judgement, independent decision making, and prolonged focus
Additional Information
Why KPFF?
Mentorship & Development: Through KPFF’s Forefront Education Program, you’ll receive unparalleled mentorship from seasoned professionals, empowering you to excel in your career from day one. Thrive in a setting that values your development and independence, where your ideas are welcomed, and your contributions make a real impact.
Relationship Building: At our core, we focus on forging meaningful connections. By prioritizing trust and stability, we create lasting relationships with our partners and clients that stand the test of time.
Supportive Environment: We cultivate growth in all aspects of your life in a supportive environment that values your well-being. From promoting a healthy lifestyle to organizing social activities, we strive to create a balanced and fulfilling workplace.
Compensation
The base salary for this role is competitive and will be determined based on the candidate's experience, education, and skills. The expected base salary for a qualified candidate is $88,000 - $105,000. Additionally, we offer performance-based bonuses to recognize and reward outstanding contributions in each Reporting Center. During the interview process, we'll provide detailed information and address any questions you may have about the overall compensation package and benefits.
KPFF Consulting Engineers participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
KPFF Consulting Engineers is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, religion, marital status, sex/gender (including sexual orientation or gender identity), pregnancy, veteran status, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, or any other protected basis.
KPFF Consulting Engineers participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
KPFF Consulting Engineers is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, religion, marital status, sex/gender (including sexual orientation or gender identity), pregnancy, veteran status, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, or any other protected basis.
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Find Civil Engineer JobsCivil Engineer Job Market in San Diego
Who's Hiring
- Bowman32

- LPA32

- PacRim Engineering32

- KPFF Consulting Engineers32

- NV516

Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate48
- Consulting & Professional Services32
- Transportation & Logistics16
Civil Engineer Jobs in San Diego: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a civil engineer job in San Diego?
Focus on the sectors that drive the most local hiring: transportation and transit improvements, military base infrastructure, and coastal and stormwater management. Municipal agencies, regional planning bodies like SANDAG, and established engineering consultancies in Mission Valley and Kearny Mesa are steady sources of openings. Candidates with CADD proficiency, experience with California environmental compliance, or familiarity with coastal permitting tend to move faster in this market.
Which companies hire civil engineers in San Diego?
Employers hiring civil engineers in San Diego right now include Bowman, LPA, and PacRim Engineering, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. The local market includes a mix of large engineering consultancies, regional infrastructure contractors, and public-sector agencies tied to the City of San Diego, the County, and military branches based in the area.
Are there remote civil engineer jobs in San Diego?
Yes, though remote work is limited for civil engineers since most roles involve site visits, field coordination, or lab review. About 67% of civil engineer openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, concentrated in project management, hydraulic modeling, and traffic analysis functions where the work is largely desk-based.
How can I get a civil engineer job in San Diego with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in San Diego is through engineering consultancies that hire junior staff to support transportation and stormwater projects, often as a project engineer or design engineer I. Regional firms working on SANDAG contracts and City of San Diego infrastructure programs regularly bring on new graduates. Familiarity with AutoCAD Civil 3D and any coursework tied to coastal or drainage design stands out locally.
Which industries hire the most civil engineers in San Diego?
The sectors hiring the most civil engineers in San Diego are Construction & Real Estate, Consulting & Professional Services, and Transportation & Logistics, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. San Diego's combination of active military installations, a growing transit network, and ongoing coastal development keeps demand concentrated in transportation, defense-related infrastructure, and water resources engineering.
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