Environmental Engineer Jobs in California
Environmental Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in remediation and hazardous waste management, air quality compliance, water resources, and environmental impact assessment, with openings ranging from entry-level field roles through senior project managers and principal engineers. The largest hiring metros are Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento, where firms such as AECOM, Tetra Tech, and Chevron maintain substantial California operations and consistently recruit environmental engineers. Remediation specialists, air quality engineers, and CEQA compliance experts are among the most sought-after concentrations in the state right now. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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In this role, you will support the design and implementation of water and wastewater treatment facilities, sewer systems, pipelines, and associated infrastructure. Operating under supervision, you will ensure designs meet client specifications and comply with federal, state, and local regulatory standards. Responsibilities include conducting site assessments, adjusting design parameters as needed, and conducting water quality analyses and modeling. You will also contribute to technical report preparation, documentation, and collaborate on presentations for client meetings and industry conferences. New team members will also assist in creating documents and presentations using tools like Excel, Word, PowerPoint, BlueBeam, and other software. Additionally, there may be opportunities to participate in fieldwork supporting our construction management activities, providing a comprehensive project lifecycle experience.
See All 70 Environmental Engineer Jobs in California
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Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Environmental Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Chemicals & Materials
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in environmental engineer jobs across California.
- California Professional Engineer (PE) license in civil or environmental engineering preferred or required
- Bachelor's degree or higher in environmental engineering, civil engineering, or a closely related field
- Familiarity with California-specific regulations including CEQA, Title 22, and Regional Water Quality Control Board requirements
- Experience conducting Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments under ASTM standards
- Proficiency with environmental modeling software and GIS tools used in site characterization and reporting
- Strong technical writing skills for preparing regulatory reports, permits, and agency correspondence
Environmental Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a environmental engineer in California?
Becoming a licensed environmental engineer in California requires earning a qualifying bachelor's degree in environmental or civil engineering, then passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam administered through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. After gaining the required years of progressive experience, candidates sit for the Professional Engineering exam to earn PE licensure. Many California employers also value familiarity with CEQA processes and state environmental regulations from the outset.
How much do environmental engineers make in California?
Environmental engineers in California earn a median of about $130,410 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $79,790 for the lowest 10% to over $170,790 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire environmental engineers in California?
Employers hiring environmental engineers in California right now include SpaceX, ROUX, and CDM Smith, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's mix of large infrastructure firms, energy companies, and government contractors means demand is consistent across both public-sector consulting contracts and private remediation and compliance work.
Which California cities have the most environmental engineer jobs?
Long Beach, Hawthorne, and Costa Mesa are the California cities with the most environmental engineer openings. Los Angeles and the Bay Area drive the highest volume through a combination of major infrastructure projects, large consulting firms, and tech-sector environmental compliance work, while Sacramento's concentration of state agency offices and regulatory bodies generates consistent demand for engineers working on permitting, water quality, and air resources programs.
Are there remote environmental engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're relatively limited. About 50% of environmental engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the hands-on, site-dependent nature of much of the work. The roles most commonly offered with remote flexibility are technical report writing, data analysis, CEQA document preparation, and regulatory compliance review rather than field investigation or sampling positions.
How can I get hired as a environmental engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing an EIT designation by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, which signals readiness to California employers even before you accumulate field hours. Large California consulting firms such as AECOM, Tetra Tech, and WSP run structured new-graduate programs that place candidates in entry-level staff engineer or field technician roles. Adjacent positions in environmental science, geology technician work, or regulatory affairs at state agencies like the California Regional Water Quality Control Boards also serve as strong lateral entry points.
Where can I find and apply to environmental engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to environmental engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings to see what's available, find roles that match your experience and specialization, and apply directly to each position.
See All 70 Environmental Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Environmental Engineer Jobs