Mechanical Project Engineer Jobs in California
Mechanical Project Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor manufacturing, energy infrastructure, and advanced medical devices across a hiring market that runs from entry-level design roles through senior program leads. The largest hiring metros are Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Diego, where employers such as Northrop Grumman, Applied Materials, and Qualcomm maintain deep engineering headcounts. The most in-demand specialties are thermal systems, electromechanical integration, and capital project delivery for semiconductor fabs and clean-energy facilities. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 207+ Mechanical Project Engineer jobs
INTRODUCTION
Thornton Tomasetti applies engineering and scientific principles to solve the world’s challenges. An independent organization of creative thinkers and innovative doers collaborating from offices worldwide, our mission is to bring our clients' ideas to life and, in the process, lay the groundwork for a better, more resilient future. We provide support and opportunities to our employees to achieve their full potential and cultivate a rewarding career. Our Forensic practice investigates problems in the built environment and provides evidence-based solutions founded on rigorous science and physics. We assist attorneys, property managers, building owners, contractors, manufacturers, and design professionals with a wide range of engineering and architectural issues.
THE ROLE
We have an immediate opportunity for a Senior Mechanical Project Engineer with interests in forensic investigation, litigation support, and risk loss consulting for industrial and commercial installations. The investigations include failure origin and cause analysis, construction defects, evaluation of system performance compared to requirements, risk loss insurance, claims response, and litigation support. The successful candidate will possess curiosity, engineering excellence, and solid writing skills for this position. You will have the opportunity to lead investigations in the built environment, industrial facilities, transportation sector, and high-tech applications. You will be supported in this role by a diverse team ranging from entry-level engineers to senior management.
Responsibilities
- Work directly with a wide variety of clients, including attorneys, property owners, contractors, and insurance professionals on a wide range of investigations which may involve field investigations, property assessment and analysis, extent and scope of damage, cause of damage, building code analysis, construction defects, and professional standard of care.
- Manage projects independently and provide support to senior staff on projects as needed.
- Involvement in business development activities such as conferences and business development events.
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
- 6+ years of experience in MEP Design or investigation.
- Professional Engineering (PE) License in at least one jurisdiction and the ability to obtain licensure in others.
- Ability to write reports that clearly express engineering opinions and conclusions and support these conclusions/opinions with facts and sound engineering principles.
- Ability to work collaboratively with other disciplines, meet deadlines and travel to work sites.
- Ability and willingness to travel for short durations for certain assignments.
COMPENSATION
The rate for this position generally is $108,000 - $139,000 annually. This range is a good faith estimate provided pursuant to the California Pay Transparency Law. It is based on what a successful California applicant might be paid and assumes that the successful candidate will be in California or perform the position from California. Similar positions located outside of California will not necessarily receive the same compensation. Actual pay rates may vary from the range, as permitted by California Equal Pay Transparency Law. Compensation offers will be based on various factors, including operational needs, individual education, qualifications and experience, work location and comparison to employee already in the role, as well as other considerations permitted by law. A potential new employee’s pay history will not be used in compensation decisions.
BENEFITS
Depending on your employment status, benefits may include:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, Disability and other voluntary benefits
- Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical and Childcare
- Paid Time Off, Family Leave for New Parents, Volunteer Time
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Commuter Transit (where available)
- 401k retirement savings with Company matching on employee contributions and/or qualified student loan repayments
- Fitness Reimbursement
- And other various wellness, diversity/inclusion and employee resource programs and initiatives
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Thornton Tomasetti is proud to be an equal employment workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Thornton Tomasetti are considered without regards to age, ancestry, color, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, protected family care or medical leave status, race, religion (including beliefs and practices or the absence thereof), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Thornton Tomasetti Global Terms of Use and Privacy Statement
Carefully read these Terms of Use before using this website. Your access to and use of this website and application for a job at Thornton Tomasetti are conditioned on your acceptance and compliance with these terms. Please access the linked document by clicking here, select the country where you are applying for employment, and review. Before submitting your application you will be asked to confirm your agreement with the terms.
Beware Of Recruitment Fraud:
Scammers may attempt to impersonate Thornton Tomasetti. Messages from our firm come only from the ThorntonTomasetti.com domain, Thornton Tomasetti does not use any third-party recruiters. When in doubt, please contact us through our web form here and see how you can protect yourself online here.
INTRODUCTION
Thornton Tomasetti applies engineering and scientific principles to solve the world’s challenges. An independent organization of creative thinkers and innovative doers collaborating from offices worldwide, our mission is to bring our clients' ideas to life and, in the process, lay the groundwork for a better, more resilient future. We provide support and opportunities to our employees to achieve their full potential and cultivate a rewarding career. Our Forensic practice investigates problems in the built environment and provides evidence-based solutions founded on rigorous science and physics. We assist attorneys, property managers, building owners, contractors, manufacturers, and design professionals with a wide range of engineering and architectural issues.
THE ROLE
We have an immediate opportunity for a Senior Mechanical Project Engineer with interests in forensic investigation, litigation support, and risk loss consulting for industrial and commercial installations. The investigations include failure origin and cause analysis, construction defects, evaluation of system performance compared to requirements, risk loss insurance, claims response, and litigation support. The successful candidate will possess curiosity, engineering excellence, and solid writing skills for this position. You will have the opportunity to lead investigations in the built environment, industrial facilities, transportation sector, and high-tech applications. You will be supported in this role by a diverse team ranging from entry-level engineers to senior management.
Responsibilities
- Work directly with a wide variety of clients, including attorneys, property owners, contractors, and insurance professionals on a wide range of investigations which may involve field investigations, property assessment and analysis, extent and scope of damage, cause of damage, building code analysis, construction defects, and professional standard of care.
- Manage projects independently and provide support to senior staff on projects as needed.
- Involvement in business development activities such as conferences and business development events.
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
- 6+ years of experience in MEP Design or investigation.
- Professional Engineering (PE) License in at least one jurisdiction and the ability to obtain licensure in others.
- Ability to write reports that clearly express engineering opinions and conclusions and support these conclusions/opinions with facts and sound engineering principles.
- Ability to work collaboratively with other disciplines, meet deadlines and travel to work sites.
- Ability and willingness to travel for short durations for certain assignments.
COMPENSATION
The rate for this position generally is $108,000 - $139,000 annually. This range is a good faith estimate provided pursuant to the California Pay Transparency Law. It is based on what a successful California applicant might be paid and assumes that the successful candidate will be in California or perform the position from California. Similar positions located outside of California will not necessarily receive the same compensation. Actual pay rates may vary from the range, as permitted by California Equal Pay Transparency Law. Compensation offers will be based on various factors, including operational needs, individual education, qualifications and experience, work location and comparison to employee already in the role, as well as other considerations permitted by law. A potential new employee’s pay history will not be used in compensation decisions.
BENEFITS
Depending on your employment status, benefits may include:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, Disability and other voluntary benefits
- Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical and Childcare
- Paid Time Off, Family Leave for New Parents, Volunteer Time
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Commuter Transit (where available)
- 401k retirement savings with Company matching on employee contributions and/or qualified student loan repayments
- Fitness Reimbursement
- And other various wellness, diversity/inclusion and employee resource programs and initiatives
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Thornton Tomasetti is proud to be an equal employment workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Thornton Tomasetti are considered without regards to age, ancestry, color, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, protected family care or medical leave status, race, religion (including beliefs and practices or the absence thereof), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Thornton Tomasetti Global Terms of Use and Privacy Statement
Carefully read these Terms of Use before using this website. Your access to and use of this website and application for a job at Thornton Tomasetti are conditioned on your acceptance and compliance with these terms. Please access the linked document by clicking here, select the country where you are applying for employment, and review. Before submitting your application you will be asked to confirm your agreement with the terms.
Beware Of Recruitment Fraud:
Scammers may attempt to impersonate Thornton Tomasetti. Messages from our firm come only from the ThorntonTomasetti.com domain, Thornton Tomasetti does not use any third-party recruiters. When in doubt, please contact us through our web form here and see how you can protect yourself online here.
See All 207+ Mechanical Project Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsMechanical Project Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Mechanical Project Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Affiliated Engineers11
- Apple9
- Applied Materials6
- Mainspring Energy5
- WSP5
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services46
- Electronics & Hardware41
- Technology & Software34
- Manufacturing16
- Construction & Real Estate15
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in mechanical project engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or closely related engineering discipline required
- Professional Engineer license from the California Board for Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists preferred for senior roles
- Three or more years of project engineering or project management experience in a relevant California industry
- Demonstrated proficiency with SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or equivalent 3D mechanical design software
- Experience managing project scope, schedules, and budgets from concept through closeout
- Familiarity with California Title 24 energy codes and applicable ASME or ASTM standards
Mechanical Project Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a mechanical project engineer in California?
Most California employers require a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from an ABET-accredited program as the baseline. From there, candidates typically gain two to four years in a design or project coordination role before moving into a dedicated project engineer position. For roles in public infrastructure, utilities, or consulting, a Professional Engineer license issued by the California Board for Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists significantly improves advancement prospects and is often required to stamp drawings or lead permitted projects.
How much do mechanical project engineers make in California?
Mechanical project engineers in California earn a median of about $130,900 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $82,070 for the lowest 10% to over $203,620 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire mechanical project engineers in California?
Employers hiring mechanical project engineers in California right now include Affiliated Engineers, Apple, and Applied Materials, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, semiconductor equipment makers, and clean-energy developers means demand is spread across multiple high-growth industries rather than tied to any single sector.
Which California cities have the most mechanical project engineer jobs?
San Francisco, San Jose, and Irvine consistently post the most mechanical project engineer openings in California. Los Angeles anchors the aerospace and defense corridor, San Jose sits at the center of semiconductor and cleantech manufacturing, and San Diego draws demand from defense contractors and biomedical device companies, which is why smaller suburban engineering parks around those metros often appear in listings alongside the core cities.
Are there remote mechanical project engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely analytical roles because the work regularly involves site visits, lab testing, and hands-on coordination with fabrication teams. About 18% of mechanical project engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, with most of those positions focused on the documentation, scheduling, and vendor management portions of the role rather than the physical design and commissioning stages.
How can I get hired as a mechanical project engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is landing a mechanical engineer or project coordinator role at a California defense contractor or semiconductor equipment manufacturer that runs structured rotational or new-graduate programs, such as those offered by large Los Angeles and South Bay employers. Building toward an Engineer-in-Training registration through the California Board for Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists signals seriousness to hiring managers. Lateral moves from adjacent roles like manufacturing engineer, test engineer, or facilities engineer are common stepping stones into the project engineering track.
Where can I find and apply to mechanical project engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to mechanical project engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to California employers. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 207+ Mechanical Project Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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