Highway Engineer Jobs in California
Highway Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the nation, concentrated in transportation agencies, municipal public works departments, and large infrastructure consultancies serving the state's extensive freeway and transit networks, with openings at every level from entry-level designer to senior project engineer. Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Diego are the largest hiring metros, home to major employers such as Caltrans, AECOM, and WSP Global. The most in-demand specialties are roadway design, traffic engineering, and construction management on freeway interchange and active transportation projects. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Highway Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- GHD5
- AECOM2
- WSP in the U.S.2
- HDR1
- Kodiak Robotics1
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services8
- Construction & Real Estate2
- Law & Legal Services2
- Science & Research1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in highway engineer jobs across California.
- Active California Professional Engineer (PE) license in civil engineering from the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a closely related engineering discipline from an accredited program
- Proficiency in highway design software such as AutoCAD Civil 3D, MicroStation, or OpenRoads Designer
- Familiarity with Caltrans Highway Design Manual standards and project development procedures
- Experience preparing roadway construction plans, specifications, and cost estimates
- Knowledge of AASHTO geometric design standards and California Traffic Control Device requirements
Highway Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a highway engineer in California?
Becoming a highway engineer in California requires a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from an ABET-accredited program, followed by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam to earn Engineer-in-Training status. After gaining qualifying experience under a licensed professional, candidates apply through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists to sit for the Professional Engineer exam in civil engineering. Most California transportation agencies and private consultancies require or strongly prefer PE licensure for project-level positions.
How much do highway engineers make in California?
Highway engineers in California earn a median of about $122,500 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,980 for the lowest 10% to over $175,940 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire highway engineers in California?
Employers hiring highway engineers in California right now include GHD, AECOM, and WSP in the U.S., based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's combination of Caltrans capital programs, regional transportation authorities, and large engineering consultancies serving public agency clients creates consistent hiring demand across the state year-round.
Which California cities have the most highway engineer jobs?
The cities with the most highway engineer openings in California are Los Angeles, Riverside, and Irvine. This distribution reflects the concentration of Caltrans district offices, county transportation commissions, and major infrastructure consultancies in these metros, with the Los Angeles basin and Sacramento's role as the state capital generating the largest and most consistent volumes of public and private sector postings.
Are there remote highway engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. About 45% of highway engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, which is low relative to purely analytical fields because much of the work involves site visits, agency coordination, and hands-on plan review. The portions of the role most compatible with remote arrangements are preliminary design, hydraulic or traffic analysis, and environmental documentation tasks.
How can I get hired as a highway engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to Caltrans, which runs a structured new-graduate hiring program through California state civil service classifications such as Transportation Engineer-A, specifically designed for candidates with a civil engineering degree and no professional experience. County transportation agencies and large consultancies like AECOM and WSP also hire junior engineers for CAD drafting and design support roles that build toward licensure. Completing an internship with a Caltrans district office or earning Engineer-in-Training certification before graduation gives candidates a measurable competitive edge.
Where can I find and apply to highway engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to highway engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Find roles that match your experience and specialty and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 11 Highway Engineer Jobs in California
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