Project Director Jobs in California
Project Director jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand concentrated in technology, construction and infrastructure, healthcare systems, and defense and aerospace across every level from emerging to executive. The largest hiring markets are Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego, where employers like Kaiser Permanente, Bechtel, and Apple maintain significant project leadership teams. Certifications such as the PMP and California-specific construction management credentials are consistently emphasized in postings, particularly for roles tied to state infrastructure programs. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Project Director JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 113+ Project Director jobs
Job Posting: Project Director II
Department of General Services
PROJECT DIRECTOR II
$11,427.00 - $14,298.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Final Filing Date: 11/13/2026
Job Description and Duties
This position is eligible to telework up to one (1) day a week, in accordance with the Statewide Telework Policy, and will be required to report to the office as needed/required. This is subject to change based on operational need and/or future return to office orders. The successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment.
Excellence in the Business of Government!
Come join a team that creates:
- A collaborative team atmosphere founded upon ethics, integrity, and stewardship.
- A positive work environment that is open to change and invites its workforce to challenge processes.
- An opportunity for individuals to utilize their knowledge, skills, and experience to grow within the department.
This position requires passing background checks necessary to enter into various secure state facilities and a Real ID to enter into or upon Federal properties.
This position is part of a distributed team that involves partial teleworking and reporting to the office or project-related on-site visits/meeting as needed/required.
This position is designated under the Conflict of Interest Code. The position is responsible for making or participating in the making of governmental decisions that may potentially have a material effect on personal financial interests. The appointee is required to complete Form 700 within 30 days of appointment and once per year.
This position may require travel.
Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment. The Department of General Services does not participaye in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.
If you’re interested in exploring additional job opportunities at DGS, please reach out to our recruitment team; we’d love to hear from you! Please contact us at DGSRecruitment@dgs.ca.gov.
Information about applying for a state job can be found here: Three Steps to a State Job. Please let us know how you learned about this career opportunity by taking the brief survey that follows: Click here to take the survey!
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity: A work culture that emphasizes a culture of diversity and inclusivity, offering tangible rewards and recognizing the intrinsic value of varied perspectives and collaboration.
- Career Growth and Training: A focus on career growth and training in an effort to engage and retain a diverse talent pool that aligns with the organization's mission and vision.
- Competitive Rewards: Employees enjoy world-class benefits packages, attractive salaries, and robust pension plans, reflecting a commitment to employee well-being.
- Work-Life Balance: Work-life balance is fostered through measures like telework and adjustable schedules, allowing personal and professional lives to thrive together.
- Learning and Development: Emphasizing on continuous learning, DGS offers onsite and virtual Statewide Training programs to ensure that employees remain at the cutting edge of their fields.
- Generous State Benefits: Comprehensive health and dental insurance, long-term disability insurance, 11 paid holidays per year, paid time off, defined benefit retirement program, commute program, employee wellness programs, employee assistance programs, and medical/dependent care reimbursement accounts.
- Prime Location and Amenities: DGS's headquarters boasts features like the 7.5-acre River Walk Park, stunning views, convenient & affordable parking, and a state-of-the-art fitness center for all employees.
Position Details
Department Information
Special Requirements
- Employment History on the STD 678 (State Application) must be complete and include employment dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities performed, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. License and Certification numbers included on the STD 678 must include issue date and expiration date. Failure to indicate issue and expiration dates will result in disqualification. Resumes or other documents cannot substitute the STD 678 (State Application). Applicants who fail to submit a completed STD 678 (State Application) may be disqualified. Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.
- Applicants who completed their education outside of the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of US course/degree equivalency. Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at NACES | National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 11/13/2026Who May Apply
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
- Statement of Qualifications - REQUIRED - Please see the Statement of Qualifications section on the job advertisement for details and instructions.
Desirable Qualifications
- Experience with Energy Savings Performance Contracts or energy projects.
- Experience with building energy assessments, audits and M&V.
- Experience with managing projects involving electrical, HVAC, lighting systems, building systems and/or controls, renewable energy including solar PV and batteries.
- Technical understanding of interaction between the various energy systems in a building and how they impact its overall energy consumption.
- Experience with reviewing technical reports and solutions presented by the design team or the subcontractors.
- Experience or knowledge of customer outreach or marketing.
- Demonstrated ability to provide excellent customer service.
- Experience with generating reports and presenting technical data to a non-technical or executive audience.
- Mechanical or electrical engineering-related experience or degree.
Benefits
There are many benefits to joining our team! The State of California has a generous benefits package, some benefits include:
- Medical Benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid Holidays and leave
- Defined benefit retirement program
- Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457)
- Commute Program
- Employee Wellness Program
- Employee Assistance Program
- Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Sue Freida Villanueva
(279) 799-4120
Sue.Villanueva@dgs.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:EEO Main line
(916) 376-5127
DGSEEO@dgs.ca.gov
Additional Information
Reporting Location:
Office of Sustainability
707 Third Street
West Sacramento, CA 95605
Please specify RPA #30845 and JC-529561 on your state application.
Examination Information:
Those interested in obtaining employment with any state agency must apply and compete in the state’s merit-based recruitment and hiring process. To apply for the examination for this position, click on the link below to search for the examination and follow the “How to Apply” instructions in the examination announcement:
CalCareers Exam/Assessment Search
Successful examination applicants are placed on a hiring eligibility list. If you already have list eligibility for this classification, you do not need to retake the examination. Applicants should refer to their examination results or check their CalCareers account for specific list eligibility expiration dates and/or to re-take the examination when necessary.
For questions regarding the examination process, please contact the DGS Examinations Unit at DGSExams@dgs.ca.gov.
Statement of Qualifications
The DGS Office of Sustainability develops and manages the implementation of comprehensive energy-related projects at state facilities (energy efficiency retrofits, clean renewable energy, electric vehicle infrastructure). This position in the Energy Retrofit Unit of the Office of Sustainability entails managing energy efficiency projects that involve conducting outreach to state agencies for developing and implementing new projects that include energy audits, financing, energy savings performance contracts, construction, and energy savings measurement and verification. Our ideal candidate has project management and customer service experience with a background in energy efficiency and decarbonization and renewable energy.
Please briefly describe your experience with the above, including managing any energy efficiency/renewable projects that involved HVAC, lighting and/or other renewable energy including solar PV and batteries.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
See All 113+ Project Director Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Project Director JobsProject Director Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Project Director Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services13
- Construction & Real Estate4
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals4
- Staffing & Recruiting2
- Technology & Software2
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in project director jobs across California.
- PMP or equivalent project management certification recognized in California required
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, construction management, or related field required
- Minimum eight to twelve years of progressive project management experience across large programs
- Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional teams and enterprise-level project budgets
- Experience with California-specific regulatory environments including CEQA or state procurement rules
- Proficiency with project management platforms such as MS Project, Primavera, or Smartsheet
Project Director Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a project director in California?
Most project directors in California follow a path that combines a bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or a related field with progressive team leadership experience and a Project Management Professional credential. Construction-focused roles often require familiarity with California Environmental Quality Act processes and, for public works, compliance with state contractor licensing requirements overseen by the Contractors State License Board. Industry experience and demonstrated delivery of complex programs carry more weight than any single credential.
How much do project directors make in California?
Project directors in California earn a median of about $120,910 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $69,180 for the lowest 10% to over $188,560 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire project directors in California?
Employers hiring project directors in California right now include BKF Engineers, Turner & Townsend Pty Limited, and GHD, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of large technology headquarters, healthcare networks, and major infrastructure contractors means openings appear across a wide range of industries and project types.
Which California cities have the most project director jobs?
Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose consistently post the most project director openings in California. The San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles lead because of their density of technology headquarters, large health systems, and major construction programs, while San Diego draws significant volume from its defense contractor and biotech clusters, which run ongoing multi-year projects that require senior oversight.
Are there remote project director jobs in California?
Yes, though they are less common than for purely desk-based roles. About 62% of project director openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the fact that many programs require on-site coordination with construction crews, clinical teams, or hardware. The portions of the role most likely to be performed remotely include stakeholder reporting, budget management, and planning work.
How can I get hired as a project director in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a project coordinator or project manager role at a large California employer such as a major health system, a general contractor working on state infrastructure, or a Bay Area technology company, then building toward director-level scope. Kaiser Permanente, Caltrans programs, and large construction firms run structured project management development programs. Earning a CAPM credential and gaining exposure to California-specific compliance frameworks, including CEQA for construction and regulated industries, helps candidates stand out early.
Where can I find and apply to project director jobs in California?
You can find and apply to project director jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers actively hiring. Find roles that match your background and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 113+ Project Director Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Project Director Jobs