Engineering Project Manager Jobs in California
Engineering Project Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the nation, concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor and advanced electronics, infrastructure and civil works, and large-scale tech development, with openings at every level from junior to principal. The heaviest hiring is in the Los Angeles metro, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego, where established employers like Northrop Grumman, Bechtel, and Apple maintain deep engineering teams and steady project pipelines. The most in-demand specialties are systems engineering management, construction and infrastructure delivery, and product development program management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Kennedy Jenks is seeking a transformational leader to help shape the future of Kennedy Jenks technical project delivery. Based in any KJ market nationwide, this senior role provides the opportunity to lead technical professionals, strengthen project delivery and client relationships, develop future leaders, and advance technical excellence across the organization while supporting the delivery of complex infrastructure solutions for communities throughout the country.
What You'll Do
- Support the development and advise KJ’s Technical Services teams and discipline leaders including Mechanical, Electrical, Structural, CAD, Architectural and Instrumentation and Controls.
- Support the successful delivery of multidisciplinary projects across Kennedy Jenks.
- Promote efficient design delivery in accordance with Kennedy Jenks’ standards and procedures to assure compliance with standard of care.
- Promote collaboration across engineering, environmental, scientific, and technical disciplines.
- Partner with business managers, project managers, and business development leaders to align resources with business needs.
- Work collaboratively with Kennedy Jenks quality and risk programs to advance technical excellence, quality, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- 25%-50% travel nationwide to collaborate with clients and various KJ offices and teams as needed.
- Lead a multidisciplinary function that supports critical infrastructure projects nationwide.
- Influence technical excellence, workforce development, and project delivery across the firm.
- Solidify KJ’s position as a preferred consultant to our clients.
- Help shape the future of KJ’s core service and develop the next generation of leaders.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering field required; master’s degree preferred.
- Technical Experience: 10+ years of design engineering consulting experience, preferably within water/wastewater.
- Management Experience: 4+ years of leadership experience managing supervisors, team leaders, and project teams.
- Licensure: Professional Engineer (PE) license strongly preferred.
- Proven leadership experience managing teams, departments, technical organizations, or business units, including the development and oversight of supervisors and other leaders.
- Experience supporting complex infrastructure, environmental, water/wastewater, industrial, or engineering consulting projects.
- Strong business acumen and ability to partner effectively across Operations, Business Development, Project Management, and Technical Services functions.
- Demonstrated ability to navigate competing priorities, make sound decisions, and drive organizational results in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong understanding of multidisciplinary engineering, project delivery, resource planning, and financial management.
- Proven success developing employees, mentoring leaders, and building high-performing teams through both direct leadership and influence.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and business management systems, along with excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
The anticipated salary range for this position is $170,000 – $250,000, depending on education, experience, qualifications, licensure/certifications, and geographic location.
Benefits Summary: Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance; a health savings account; a 401(k); bonus programs; tuition reimbursement; employee ownership opportunity; professional registration support; business travel assistance; competitive paid time off and holidays; an employee assistance program; and additional programs that support your wellbeing and professional growth.
#LI-Hybrid
Kennedy Jenks is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability, citizenship status, genetics, protected veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.
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Find JobsEngineering Project Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Engineering Project Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Lockheed Martin11

- General Atomics8

- HDR4

- Kennedy/Jenks Consultants4

- WSP3

Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services11
- Technology & Software3
- Construction & Real Estate2
- Telecommunications1
- Chemicals & Materials1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in engineering project manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited program
- PMP certification or enrollment in progress preferred by most California engineering employers
- Five or more years managing engineering projects through full lifecycle delivery
- Experience with California-specific regulatory environments including CEQA and Title 24 compliance
- Proficiency with project management tools such as MS Project, Primavera P6, or equivalent platforms
- Strong cross-functional coordination skills across engineering, procurement, and construction teams
Engineering Project Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a engineering project manager in California?
The most direct path is a bachelor's degree in mechanical, civil, electrical, or systems engineering followed by experience on engineering teams in a coordination or lead role. California does not issue a state-specific engineering project manager license, but many employers require a Professional Engineer license from the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists for roles overseeing licensed engineering work. The Project Management Professional credential is the most widely recognized addition and is frequently listed as required or preferred in California postings.
How much do engineering project managers make in California?
Engineering project managers in California earn a median of about $210,280 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $137,900 for the lowest 10% to over $296,130 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire engineering project managers in California?
Employers hiring engineering project managers in California right now include Lockheed Martin, General Atomics, and HDR, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of defense contractors, semiconductor manufacturers, and large infrastructure firms means demand is spread across both private industry and public agency contractors throughout the state.
Which California cities have the most engineering project manager jobs?
San Diego, Sacramento, and Poway have the most engineering project manager openings in California. Los Angeles leads because of its dense aerospace, defense, and infrastructure sector, the Bay Area draws heavily from semiconductor, tech hardware, and data center development, and San Diego's concentration of defense contractors and biotech campuses generates consistent project management demand year-round.
Are there remote engineering project manager jobs in California?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields because engineering project managers typically need on-site presence during construction, testing, or manufacturing phases. About 55% of engineering project manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with those positions concentrated in early-phase planning, program coordination, and software-adjacent product development roles rather than hands-on delivery roles.
How can I get hired as a engineering project manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into the role from an adjacent engineering position such as design engineer, systems analyst, or field engineer, where project coordination is part of the job. Large California defense and infrastructure employers like Northrop Grumman and Bechtel run rotational programs and entry-level associate program manager tracks that recruit from engineering disciplines. Earning a Certified Associate in Project Management credential and building a portfolio of any scope or schedule work, even from academic or volunteer projects, meaningfully strengthens a candidacy with California hiring teams.
Where can I find and apply to engineering project manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to engineering project manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and metros. Find roles that match your experience level and specialization and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 132+ Engineering Project Manager Jobs in California
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