Plant Engineer Jobs in California
Plant Engineer jobs in California are in strong demand, concentrated in the state's manufacturing, oil and gas refining, semiconductor fabrication, and food processing sectors, with openings at every level from entry-level maintenance to senior process engineering roles. The most active hiring metros are Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Inland Empire, where established employers such as Chevron, Intel, and Procter and Gamble have long-running operations requiring plant engineering talent. The most sought-after specialties in California are process optimization, utilities management, and reliability engineering. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 41+ Plant Engineer jobs
Building a career at Granite may be the most valuable thing you could do...
Find your dream job today, and be part of something great. Our most powerful partnership is the one we have with our employees. Our people are our most valued asset and the foundation of Granite’s century-old success. We’re building more than infrastructure; we are building your future.
General Summary
Essential Job Accountabilities
Take the lead in the preparation of annual operating budgets.
Analyze and design capital improvement projects which add value to our operations.
Develop and analyze efficiency reports and facilitate solutions to minimize downtime and maximize productivity.
Perform/ deliver tailgate safety meetings.
Continuously evaluate our rolling stock utilization and operational management.
Ensure compliance with MSHA, OSHA, Environmental regulations, etc.
Monitor and oversee daily production and loadout test results to ensure that product specifications are met for all products we sell from our facilities.
Work with industry experts on issues which are critical to our business (committee work) as needed.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or other related field required.
Work Experience
Minimum of 6 years of construction materials field experience.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities
Demonstrated knowledge of materials business.
Experience with Hot Mix Asphalt Plants
General understanding of Plant operations and mechanical requirements.
Strong understanding of federal, state and local laws, policies and procedures.
Ability to establish relationships with agencies and represent Granite in a public forum.
Strong public speaking and ability to communicate with management
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit and use hands to operate a computer keyboard. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Additional Requirements/Skills
Comply, understand, and support corporate safety initiatives to ensure a safe work environment
Ability and willingness to abide by Granite’s Code of Conduct on a daily basis
Valid driver’s license and ability to drive for extended periods of time
#LI-RW1
Our Benefits at a Glance:
Building tomorrow starts with you, and Granite knows that you can excel only if we support you in and out of the workplace. That is why we offer a broad benefits package that includes paid holidays, sick leave, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, flexible spending plans, as well as special programs for musculoskeletal health, mental wellness, and more.
Salaried employees may choose from two PPO medical plans through Anthem BlueCross, including our most popular plan, for which 100% of the premium is paid by Granite for eligible employees and dependents. Employees can also opt into a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
As part of our investment in your future outside of the workplace, Granite provides a 100% match on the first 6% of eligible compensation that salaried employees defer into their 401(k) plans, which vests immediately.
Benefits may vary for positions located outside of the continental United States.
Base Salary Range:
$96,541.00 - $144,813.00Pay may vary based upon relevant experience, skills, location, and education among other factors.
About Granite Construction Incorporated
Granite Construction Incorporated is a member of the S&P 400 Index and is the parent company of Granite Construction Company, one of the nation's largest heavy civil contractors and construction materials producers. Granite is a Drug-Free Workplace and Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws.
For additional information on applicant/employee rights please click here.
Notice to Staffing Agencies
Granite Construction, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Granite") will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to Granite, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Granite mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Granite employees, or to Granite's resume database will be considered Granite property. Granite will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. Granite will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. Agencies must obtain advance written approval from Granite's recruiting function to submit resumes, and then only in conjunction with a valid fully-executed contract for service and in response to a specific job opening. Granite will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have such agreement in place. Agency agreements will only be valid if in writing and signed by Granite's Human Resources Representative or his/ her designee. No other Granite employee is authorized to bind Granite to any agreement regarding the placement of candidates by Agencies.
Building a career at Granite may be the most valuable thing you could do...
Find your dream job today, and be part of something great. Our most powerful partnership is the one we have with our employees. Our people are our most valued asset and the foundation of Granite’s century-old success. We’re building more than infrastructure; we are building your future.
General Summary
Essential Job Accountabilities
Take the lead in the preparation of annual operating budgets.
Analyze and design capital improvement projects which add value to our operations.
Develop and analyze efficiency reports and facilitate solutions to minimize downtime and maximize productivity.
Perform/ deliver tailgate safety meetings.
Continuously evaluate our rolling stock utilization and operational management.
Ensure compliance with MSHA, OSHA, Environmental regulations, etc.
Monitor and oversee daily production and loadout test results to ensure that product specifications are met for all products we sell from our facilities.
Work with industry experts on issues which are critical to our business (committee work) as needed.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or other related field required.
Work Experience
Minimum of 6 years of construction materials field experience.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities
Demonstrated knowledge of materials business.
Experience with Hot Mix Asphalt Plants
General understanding of Plant operations and mechanical requirements.
Strong understanding of federal, state and local laws, policies and procedures.
Ability to establish relationships with agencies and represent Granite in a public forum.
Strong public speaking and ability to communicate with management
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit and use hands to operate a computer keyboard. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Additional Requirements/Skills
Comply, understand, and support corporate safety initiatives to ensure a safe work environment
Ability and willingness to abide by Granite’s Code of Conduct on a daily basis
Valid driver’s license and ability to drive for extended periods of time
#LI-RW1
Our Benefits at a Glance:
Building tomorrow starts with you, and Granite knows that you can excel only if we support you in and out of the workplace. That is why we offer a broad benefits package that includes paid holidays, sick leave, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, flexible spending plans, as well as special programs for musculoskeletal health, mental wellness, and more.
Salaried employees may choose from two PPO medical plans through Anthem BlueCross, including our most popular plan, for which 100% of the premium is paid by Granite for eligible employees and dependents. Employees can also opt into a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
As part of our investment in your future outside of the workplace, Granite provides a 100% match on the first 6% of eligible compensation that salaried employees defer into their 401(k) plans, which vests immediately.
Benefits may vary for positions located outside of the continental United States.
Base Salary Range:
$96,541.00 - $144,813.00Pay may vary based upon relevant experience, skills, location, and education among other factors.
About Granite Construction Incorporated
Granite Construction Incorporated is a member of the S&P 400 Index and is the parent company of Granite Construction Company, one of the nation's largest heavy civil contractors and construction materials producers. Granite is a Drug-Free Workplace and Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws.
For additional information on applicant/employee rights please click here.
Notice to Staffing Agencies
Granite Construction, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Granite") will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to Granite, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Granite mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Granite employees, or to Granite's resume database will be considered Granite property. Granite will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. Granite will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. Agencies must obtain advance written approval from Granite's recruiting function to submit resumes, and then only in conjunction with a valid fully-executed contract for service and in response to a specific job opening. Granite will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have such agreement in place. Agency agreements will only be valid if in writing and signed by Granite's Human Resources Representative or his/ her designee. No other Granite employee is authorized to bind Granite to any agreement regarding the placement of candidates by Agencies.
See All 41 Plant Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Plant Engineer JobsPlant Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Plant Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Energy
- Chemicals & Materials
- Staffing & Recruiting
- Electronics & Hardware
- Government & Public Sector
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in plant engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, chemical, or industrial engineering from an accredited program
- Professional Engineer license issued or recognized by the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists
- Experience with process improvement methodologies such as Lean or Six Sigma in a manufacturing environment
- Proficiency in AutoCAD, PLC programming, or CMMS platforms used for plant maintenance management
- Knowledge of California OSHA Title 8 regulations and Process Safety Management requirements
- Strong project management skills with experience coordinating capital improvement or equipment upgrade projects
Plant Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a plant engineer in California?
Most plant engineer roles in California require a bachelor's degree in mechanical, chemical, or industrial engineering from an ABET-accredited program. California additionally recognizes the Professional Engineer credential, which is administered by the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists and requires passing the Fundamentals of Engineering and Professional Engineering exams. Gaining the PE license significantly strengthens candidacy for senior roles, particularly in regulated industries such as refining and utilities.
How much do plant engineers make in California?
Plant engineers in California earn a median of about $124,600 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,900 for the lowest 10% to over $172,870 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire plant engineers in California?
Employers hiring plant engineers in California right now include Kaiser Permanente, Antora Energy, and Tesla, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of refineries, semiconductor fabs, and large-scale food and beverage manufacturers means plant engineering demand is spread across multiple industry sectors statewide.
Which California cities have the most plant engineer jobs?
San Jose, Orange, and Gridley are the California cities with the most plant engineer openings. Los Angeles anchors hiring through its dense concentration of aerospace, food manufacturing, and consumer goods facilities, while the Bay Area draws demand from semiconductor and technology manufacturing campuses, and the Inland Empire has grown into a logistics and light manufacturing hub that relies on plant engineers to keep large distribution and production sites running.
Are there remote plant engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Plant engineering is fundamentally hands-on work tied to physical equipment and production floors, so most roles require on-site presence. About 13% of plant engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to cover project engineering, capital planning, or technical documentation work that can be done off-site while the core operations role remains in person.
How can I get hired as a plant engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an internship or co-op with a California manufacturer during your engineering degree, which frequently converts to a full-time offer. Large California employers in refining and aerospace run structured new-graduate programs that bring in junior engineers with no prior plant experience. Lateral entry from maintenance technician, process technician, or manufacturing engineer associate roles is also common, and candidates who pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists signal readiness for advancement from day one.
Where can I find and apply to plant engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to plant engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Search for roles that match your experience level and target industry, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 41 Plant Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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