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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For questions regarding this position, please contact the Recruiter listed in the Supplemental Information section.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The County of Riverside Department of Waste Resources is seeking a highly skilled Engineering Project Manager (EPM) to join the Engineering Division. This role is responsible for leading complex environmental and infrastructure projects that support the County’s long-term waste management, environmental protection, and regulatory compliance goals.
The Engineering Project Manager will serve as the primary project lead, providing comprehensive engineering and administrative oversight for the design, bidding, permitting, construction support, and contract administration of major capital projects. These projects include landfill liner expansions, landfill closures, hazardous waste collection facilities, recycling and waste diversion infrastructure, site maintenance improvement projects, site infrastructure projects, and other high-impact environmental systems.
This position requires strong knowledge of engineering design principles, permitting, and regulatory frameworks, including compliance with federal and state funding and reporting requirements. The ideal candidate will demonstrate experience navigating technical project execution, complex environmental requirements, and multidisciplinary coordination.
Highly preferred qualifications include professional experience as a Civil or Environmental Engineer, along with demonstrated supervisory and management experience. The EPM will supervise and provide leadership to teams consisting of professional engineers, engineering technicians, equipment operators, and administrative staff. The role also includes strategic oversight of consultant and contractor procurement, contract negotiations, performance monitoring, and ensuring projects meet scope, schedule, and budget expectations.
Highly competitive candidates will have:
- Knowledge of Public Works Contracts, Construction Projects, and long-term development planning.
- Experience in civil or environmental engineering design and permitting.
- Demonstrated success managing large-scale, resource-intensive project
- Strong budget management and project delivery skills.
- Familiarity with regulatory compliance frameworks.
Possession of a valid certificate of registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California Department of Consumer Affairs is required.
This is an exceptional opportunity to lead transformative infrastructure projects that directly support community safety, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.
The Department of Waste Resources serves the County's solid waste disposal needs by providing for efficient and effective landfilling of County non-hazardous waste, protecting the environment, and promoting recycling in order to ensure a safe and healthy community for current and future generations.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
- Plans, organizes, directs and reviews the work of professional and technical staff, and consultants involved in the planning, environmental and regulatory processing, scheduling, design, operation, administration and construction of multiple, major Public Works Improvement Projects.
- Plans, prepares, and participates in consultant selection for design and construction engineering services for Public Works Projects and Programs; negotiates the scope, budget, and schedule with consultant firms and prepares the negotiated contract agreement for Board of Supervisor's approval; directs, reviews, and approves the preparation of the Project Management Plan; prioritizes and schedules major activities to ensure the most effective use of staff and equipment.
- Prepares, manages, and monitors project budgets and schedules; reviews consultant's monthly progress reports to ensure compliance with project scope and agreement provisions; prepares and negotiates Services Agreements and amendments and prepares the Form 11 for Board of Supervisor's approval; reviews and approves consultant's invoices for payment; reviews and recommends approval of Contract and/or Construction Change Orders, funding agreements and equipment within the limits of design and cost restrictions.
- Represents the Department before other County Departments, cities, governmental agencies, utility companies, stakeholders and the public to ensure proper communication, direction and coordination; prepares and processes cooperative agreements with government agencies such as the State Department of Transportation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and State Department of Water Resources for the design and construction of Public Works Improvement Projects; oversees and coordinates the preparation of cooperative and/or property acquisition agreements with developers, private property owners and government agencies.
- Directs the inspection and evaluation of contract or other construction work and enforces conformity to plans, specifications, and construction standards; coordinates with the consultant's team and Department engineers periodically to review and revise construction cost estimates; provides project information and cost data for funding applications with cities, other County Departments, and regional agencies such as the Riverside County Transportation Commission, the Western Riverside Council of Governments, the Santa Ana Watershed Authority, State and Federal agencies such as the the California Public Utilities Commission, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers; provides annual project cost estimates to update the Department's Capital Improvement Plans; prepares application and project certification documents to allocate and obligate funds for various phases of Federally and/or State funded projects; and reviews and approves invoices to appropriate funding agencies for cost recovery.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Graduation from an accredited college with a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geology, Planning, Transportation Planning, Public Administration, Urban Geography, Architecture, or closely related field.
Experience: Four years of professional engineering experience including two years of engineering experience in a lead, administrative or supervisory capacity that included project management responsibilities.
Knowledge of: The principles and practices of engineering especially as they apply to traffic, transportation planning, highway design, solid waste, hazardous waste, flood control infrastructure, hydraulics, hydrology, geotechnical, local, State and Federal environmental and regulatory requirements, and economic analysis; State and Federal standards concerning Public Works Projects design and construction; the principles and techniques of project and/or program management, engineering administration, personnel management, project funding and budgeting.
Ability to: Plan, organize, and direct the work of an engineering/technical unit; prioritize and supervise the work of professional engineers, technicians, inspectors, field construction staff and planners; prepare, manage and administer program budgets; perform or review difficult engineering calculations; prepare or direct the preparation of complex plans, specifications, and comprehensive technical reports; perform difficult technical research, to analyze situations accurately, and adopt effective courses of action; review, evaluate, recommend, and/or approve proposals and plans of complex Public Works Projects and/or Programs; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others.
Other RequirementsLicense/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
Possession of a valid certificate of registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California Department of Consumer Affairs.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
For questions regarding this recruitment:
Please contact Angela Tavaglione at atavaglione@rivco.org or (951) 966-3590. Please allow 1-2 business days for response.
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APPLICATION INFORMATION
Veteran's Preference
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, attach the required documents to your job application. Documents include a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service. For spousal preference, and as applicable, the following documents: a copy of your marriage certificate, spouse's death certificate, a letter of spouse's disability and/or letter of service-related death (if available) from the U.S. Veteran's Administration. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference. For complete details and documentation requirements, please review the Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 here: https://rivcocob.org/board-policies
Reasonable Accommodations
The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: https://rc-hr.com/disability
Work Location and Telework
In-person attendance is the standard work expectation for County of Riverside assignments. Certain assignments may be eligible for a hybrid telework schedule; however, telework arrangements are subject to management approval, operational needs, and/or may be modified or discontinued at any time. Employees who telework are expected to be able to report to their assigned worksite on short notice or as operational needs require. Unless otherwise specified for a particular position, employees are expected to reside in California following appointment. Limited exceptions may apply. Applicants should contact the assigned recruiter for additional information regarding work location expectations, telework eligibility, and residency requirements.
Proof of Education
If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.
If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE).
Work Authorization Requirement
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. The County of Riverside does not participate in visa sponsorship programs, including H1-B visas, and will not provide sponsorship for any employment-based visas.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.
Pre-Employment
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.
Probationary Period
As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.
General Information
Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies.
Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.
Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the 'Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, www.rc-hr.com.
If you are experiencing technical problems, you may contact the governmentjobs.com applicant support desk Monday through Friday, 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at support@governmentjobs.com or toll-free 1-855-524-5627.
See All 145+ Engineering Project Manager Jobs in California
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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
- Apple20

- Lockheed Martin8

- General Atomics6

- HDR4

- L3Harris4

Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services13
- Electronics & Hardware8
- Technology & Software3
- Banking & Financial Services3
- Construction & Real Estate2
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 Apple, Lockheed Martin, and General Atomics, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 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?
Sunnyvale, Irvine, and San Diego 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 57% of engineering project manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 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.
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