Electrical Project Engineer Jobs in California
Electrical Project Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in utilities and grid modernization, defense and aerospace systems, semiconductor fabrication, and commercial construction, with openings at every level from entry-level project associate through senior engineer. The heaviest hiring activity sits in Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Diego, where established employers such as Pacific Gas and Electric, Northrop Grumman, and Bechtel maintain substantial operations and ongoing project pipelines. The most sought-after specialties in California listings include power distribution, low-voltage systems integration, and renewable energy infrastructure. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
HOK is a collective of future-forward thinkers and designers who are driven to face the critical challenges of our time. We are dedicated to improving people's lives, serving our clients and healing the planet. Together, we cultivate a culture of design excellence at the confluence of art and science, blending the power of creative expression with a clear sense of purpose.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Project Engineers will be responsible for the successful delivery of small to medium size building projects, or working as part of a large team responsible for an area on major projects, including developing concepts and producing the design.
Responsibilities
- Strategic
- Looks for ways to improve engineering design and design processes in a particular discipline.
- Looks for new trends in Engineering design in a particular discipline and how to apply them to our projects.
- Project Management and Technical Improvement
- 10% time devoted to project management tasks and technical improvement initiatives.
- Project management tasks shall include project manpower estimates, project communications, budget monitoring and inputs, organizing deliverables, setting project standards for delivery.
- Development of typical details, specifications, and drawing standards, including development of Revit standards in coordination with the BIM team.
- Keeping abreast of industry and technology changes and trends, and recommend changes in approach and services as appropriate.
- Improvement of analytic processes and documentation, common solutions, and critical solutions.
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Fosters a commitment to external and internal client service.
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Projects
- 90% time devoted to the engineering of projects.
- Responsibility for the project engineering of small to medium sized projects (less than $80m in construction cost) from concept and schematic design through construction documents to construction and commissioning.
- Responsibility for the project engineering of segments of large (over $100m) projects, supporting a Senior Project Engineer.
- Provide design inputs and reviews of other engineer’s projects.
- Attend meetings with clients and promote positive client contact with current or prospective clients.
- Participate as a team member, contributing ideas and possible solutions, and leading on issues where appropriate.
- Perform site visit surveys to determine engineering strategies for renovation, and to document and evaluate existing systems.
- Visit project sites during construction for reviews of quality, progress, and compliance with specifications and standards.
- Project reviews at all stages of design
- Responsibility for the quality and timely delivery of the projects to budget.
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Seeks input from more senior staff on technical matters to improve the overall project.
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Business Development
- As needed, provide support to business development, including write-up of key aspects of projects and presentation of work at industry events, and prepare fee estimates and assumptions for a particular discipline on potential projects.
- Work with architects on concepts for project competitions.
Performance measured on project results
- Efficiency and profitability of the Engineering Discipline in that office or region and its contributions to firm-wide success.
- Quality of design solutions, as measured by level of integration, unique solutions, achieving high sustainability goals, and recognition by peers as excellence.
- The quality of work produced, as measured by completeness of design, absence of change orders and client satisfaction.
- Cohesiveness of the discipline team, as evidenced by ease and amount of work share, consistency of quality and delivery tools and standards, including drawings and specifications, and team communication.
- Client repeat business.
- Contributions to bringing in new work.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor of Science in engineering degree, Master’s degree preferred
- Licensed PE if MEP Engineer.
- Licensed SE if Structural Engineer in states with SE license, PE or CE / PE in other states.
- LEED accreditation or Green Associate preferred.
- Experience in delivering projects over $20m and up to $80m in construction value.
- 5 years project engineering experience, from design development to opening, with one completed high profile project included in the mix.
- Experience in working in integrated teams.
- Experience in design and delivery of LEED Silver or higher projects.
- Experience with architecturally significant buildings is a plus.
- Experience with potential project types in commercial, corporate, institutional and civic, justice, aviation, and healthcare sectors is a plus
- Experience with complex analysis tools for electrical design.
- Experience with architecturally significant buildings, controls and commissioning, central plants, multi-emergency generator systems, and mission critical buildings a plus.
TECHNICAL
- Able to work creatively to reach solutions to complex problems.
- Proficiency with Revit and AutoCAD
- Design of medium, and low voltage systems
- Design of electrical systems for small complex buildings
- Design of Fire Alarm and Life Safety systems for small complex buildings.
OTHER
- Travel may be required
- Overtime may be required
- The job duties and requirements that this document describes may be altered or supplemented at any time at the sole discretion of HOK.
Many of our roles require the use of specific software. Please refer to the Required and Preferred Software & Skills for details. HOK invests in its people and communities, supporting both personal and professional growth through every stage of life. At HOK you’ll have a hybrid work environment, 10 paid holidays (including 2 floating holidays) and a minimum of 4 weeks of paid time off with a cash out option. HOK offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, free mental wellness resources, life and AD&D coverage and short and long-term disability benefits. HOK supports your growing family by offering 4 weeks of paid parental leave and fertility coverage. HOK helps to fund your future financial needs with matching contributions to our 401(K) plan which includes a well-rounded investment menu as well as free guidance on retirement planning. Wherever you are in your career, HOK provides opportunities to learn, develop and utilize your skills. Continued learning is promoted through financial support and study prep for licensure exams, CEU credit opportunities, mentorship programs, and paid professional memberships. To learn more about designing your career with HOK, explore our current job openings.
HOK is an EOE, including disability/vets. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Compensation is based on experience, qualifications, education and location. The reasonably expected salary range for this position is $115,000 to $135,000. Other compensation may include a discretionary bonus.
See All 330+ Electrical Project Engineer Jobs in California
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Find JobsElectrical Project Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Electrical Project Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Pacific Gas and Electric21

- Affiliated Engineers18

- Arcadis13

- Helix Electric13

- Apple8

Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services99
- Electronics & Hardware61
- Technology & Software54
- Construction & Real Estate46
- Energy40
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in electrical project engineer jobs across California.
- California Professional Engineer license or active EIT registration with a clear path to PE
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or closely related engineering discipline
- Experience managing project schedules, budgets, and subcontractor coordination on electrical work
- Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, or industry-standard electrical design and modeling software
- Familiarity with California Building Code, NFPA 70, and applicable utility interconnection standards
- Strong written communication skills for technical reports, RFIs, and client-facing project documentation
Electrical Project Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a electrical project engineer in California?
The standard California path starts with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from an ABET-accredited program, followed by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam to earn Engineer-in-Training registration through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. After accumulating qualifying experience you sit for the Professional Engineer exam. Most California employers in utilities and construction expect candidates to be actively pursuing PE licensure.
How much do electrical project engineers make in California?
Electrical project engineers in California earn a median of about $144,040 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $81,840 for the lowest 10% to over $217,760 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire electrical project engineers in California?
Employers hiring electrical project engineers in California right now include Pacific Gas and Electric, Affiliated Engineers, and Arcadis, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of investor-owned utilities, defense contractors, and large-scale commercial developers means demand stays consistent across multiple employer types and project sectors.
Which California cities have the most electrical project engineer jobs?
The cities with the most electrical project engineer openings in California are San Francisco, San Jose, and San Diego. This distribution reflects Los Angeles's massive commercial and infrastructure construction volume, the Bay Area's density of semiconductor and clean-energy technology campuses, and San Diego's concentration of defense systems integrators and military installation upgrade programs.
Are there remote electrical project engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Most electrical project engineer work requires on-site presence for inspections, contractor coordination, and commissioning activities. About 22% of electrical project engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those tend to be in early-phase design, specifications writing, or program management roles where drawing reviews and client calls make up the bulk of daily work.
How can I get hired as a electrical project engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is a junior or associate electrical engineer role with a large California engineering and construction firm or a public utility, where structured mentorship and rotational assignments replace the experience you haven't yet built. Employers such as large investor-owned utilities and major EPC contractors in California regularly hire new graduates into project support roles. Earning your EIT registration before applying, building a portfolio of senior capstone or internship design work, and targeting California's booming renewable energy and grid-hardening project pipeline all improve your competitiveness against candidates with more experience.
Where can I find and apply to electrical project engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to electrical project engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers actively hiring right now. Find roles that fit your experience and target location, then apply directly through each listing.
See All 330+ Electrical Project Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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