Professional Engineer Jobs in California

Professional Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in infrastructure, aerospace, semiconductors, and clean energy, with openings at every level from entry-level engineer-in-training through senior principal. The heaviest hiring is in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where major employers like Bechtel, Northrop Grumman, and Jacobs Engineering maintain large California operations. Civil, structural, and electrical engineering specialties see the most consistent demand, driven by state infrastructure investment and the technology corridor. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles257+
Top employerBKF Engineers
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring48
Work type54% On-site
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 257+ Professional Engineer jobs

Kleinfelder
Project Level Environmental Professional Engineer / Professional Geologist
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Kleinfelder
Added 1mo ago
Project Level Environmental Professional Engineer / Professional Geologist
Kleinfelder
Rancho Cordova, California
Specialized Engineering
Project & Program Management
Environmental Engineering
Project Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
$84k - $112k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Gas Transmission Systems
Project Level Environmental Professional Engineer / Professional Geologist
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Gas Transmission Systems
Added 1mo ago
Project Level Environmental Professional Engineer / Professional Geologist
Gas Transmission Systems
Rancho Cordova, California
Specialized Engineering
Project & Program Management
Environmental Engineering
Project Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
On-Site
Associate's

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WSP
Early Professional Structural Engineer
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WSP
Added 1w ago
Early Professional Structural Engineer
WSP
Sacramento, California
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
Structural Engineering
$58k - $96k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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University of California - San Francisco
Professional Mechanical Engineer
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University of California - San Francisco
Added 1mo ago
Professional Mechanical Engineer
University of California - San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
On-Site
None
10,000+

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Fortinet
Professional Services Engineer
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Fortinet
Added 10mo ago
Professional Services Engineer
Fortinet
Santa Clara, California
Consulting & Professional Services
Technical Product & Program Management
IT Support & Systems Administration
Technical Program Management
IT Support
Backend Engineering
Software Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's

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See All 257+ Professional Engineer Jobs in California

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Professional Engineer Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
45 jobs
Los Angeles
38 jobs
San Jose
17 jobs
San Diego
14 jobs
Irvine
13 jobs
Sacramento
11 jobs
Oakland
10 jobs
South San Francisco
9 jobs
Newport Beach
7 jobs

Professional Engineer Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • BKF Engineers
    BKF Engineers52
  • Tetra Tech
    Tetra Tech8
  • WSP
    WSP8
  • World Wide Technology
    World Wide Technology6
  • Stantec
    Stantec5

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consulting & Professional Services135
  • Technology & Software58
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals10
  • Law & Legal Services7
  • Accounting & Auditing6

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in professional engineer jobs across California.

  • Active Professional Engineer license issued or recognized by the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists
  • Bachelor's degree in civil, mechanical, electrical, or a closely related engineering discipline
  • Four or more years of progressive engineering experience in a relevant specialty
  • Proficiency with AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or discipline-specific design and analysis software
  • Demonstrated ability to prepare and stamp engineering drawings, calculations, and reports
  • Strong knowledge of California Building Code, Title 24, or applicable state and local standards

Professional Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a professional engineer in California?

You become a licensed professional engineer in California by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, gaining qualifying experience under a licensed PE, and then passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam administered through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. A bachelor's degree from an accredited engineering program is the standard starting point. California does not have reciprocity with all other states, so out-of-state PEs should verify their credentials directly with the board.

How much do professional engineers make in California?

Professional 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 professional engineers in California?

Employers hiring professional engineers in California right now include BKF Engineers, Tetra Tech, and WSP, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's mix of large defense contractors, public infrastructure agencies, and technology-driven construction firms means demand is spread across both private industry and public-sector clients statewide.

Which California cities have the most professional engineer jobs?

San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Jose have the most professional engineer openings in California. Los Angeles leads because of its scale across aerospace, transportation, and water infrastructure, San Francisco and San Jose reflect heavy demand from technology campuses and seismic retrofit programs, and San Diego is driven by defense contractors and biotech campus construction. Smaller cities often appear because major state agency regional offices and public utilities are headquartered there.

Are there remote professional engineer jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Most professional engineering work in California requires on-site inspections, fieldwork, or stamped document review tied to a physical project, which limits full remote arrangements. About 46% of professional engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those positions tend to be in project management, plan review, or engineering analysis roles that don't require regular site presence.

How can I get hired as a professional engineer in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying for an Engineer-in-Training or junior engineer role while you hold your Fundamentals of Engineering certification, which signals California readiness before you have your PE license. Large California public agencies like Caltrans, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission run structured new-graduate programs. Entry-level roles at engineering consulting firms often allow lateral moves from related titles like design drafter, CAD technician, or engineering associate, and building a portfolio of project contributions accelerates your path to licensure.

Where can I find and apply to professional engineer jobs in California?

You can find and apply to professional engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and metros. Find the roles that fit your specialty and experience level and apply directly.

See All 257+ Professional Engineer Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Professional Engineer Jobs