Project Leader Jobs in California
Project Leader jobs in California are in strong demand, with active hiring concentrated in technology, construction, healthcare, and defense sectors and openings at every level from associate project lead through senior program director. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego are the largest hiring metros, where established employers like Kaiser Permanente, Northrop Grumman, and Salesforce consistently recruit project leaders across infrastructure, software, and operations programs. The most sought-after specialties in the state are IT project leadership, construction project management, and healthcare operations. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Department Summary:
The N113 Space Battle Management department fields capabilities and establishes cross cutting enablers to deliver an integrated resilient Space C2 and Sensing Enterprise for the Space Warfighter. N113 performs mission engineering, modeling, simulation & analysis (MS&A), software architecting and development, and analysis capabilities designed to close kill chains across multiple space mission domains for multiple customers such as United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) including Program Acquisition Executive (PAE) Battle Management Command, Control, and Communications and Space Intelligence (BMC3I), PAE Missile Warning and Tracking, and the Chief Information Officer (CIO); Space Development Agency, Combat Forces Command Mission Delta 6 and Mission Delta 2, Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SpRCO), and Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition (SAF/SQ). The outcomes of these efforts provide high-quality, comprehensive, quantitative insights for senior government decision makers shaping the future of our nation’s Space policy, operations, and system acquisitions. The N113 department is a major contributor to the MITRE Space Capabilities Division and Space Enterprise Mission Division by enabling joint combat power and superiority in all domains in, from, and through space.
As a member of our Space Battle Management Department team, you will help solve our nation's most technically challenging problems in a dynamic, fast paced, rapidly growing and expanding domain, and work in the public interest building a more capable and resilient space enterprise. This work will be conducted collaboratively with multiple MITRE and government organizations. You will fill the role as the MITRE Project Leader for the USSF SSC/S6 Chief Information Office (CIO) sponsors.
Roles & Responsibilities:
The SSC/S6 CIO drives efforts across the USSF to protect space information systems including protecting communications links between space systems and airborne and ground-based platforms; protecting space systems from advanced cyber-attacks and insider threats; and managing information that enables SSC program offices to develop and sustain systems in a manner that outpaces emerging threats. The Project Leader will work to align SSC/S6 with organizations across the Department of Air Force (DAF) and Department of War (DoW) to ensure efficiency and to advance Joint interoperability. The project focus areas include, but are not limited to, zero trust, human-AI teaming, data science and engineering, AI capabilities, and application of industry-best integration cyber practices. The project requires strong collaboration between DAF and USAF level organizations to ensure cohered solutions and capabilities. Collaboration on cyber initiatives will include Air Combat Command, DoW CIO, and SSC Space Systems Integration Office (SSIO) to ensure USSF leverages best of breed zero trust approaches.
The SSC/S6 project lead will also lead work under an interagency agreement between USSF and NIST that will require close coordination and collaboration among several stakeholders, including MITRE’s National Cybersecurity Federally Funded Research and Development Center (NCF), NIST’s Information Technology Laboratory, and the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE).
Key functions include:
- Sponsor engagement – regularly engage with sponsor leadership, providing strategic and technical leadership as a trusted advisor to SSC/S6 CIO, growing and strengthening sponsor engagement and enhancing MITRE’s role in proactively shaping programs to achieve operational mission objectives.
- Cross-project collaboration - Work closely with other MITRE USSF project leaders, MITRE Space Capabilities Division and Space Enterprise Mission Division leadership, NIST, and other stakeholders to manage the interagency agreement, align priorities and responsibilities, coordinate deliverables and milestones, track risks and dependencies, and ensure clear communication and timely resolution of issues.
- Work shaping – proactively develop and define tasks and project outcomes in alignment with NSEC Cross-cutting priorities, Nexus, and other initiatives and outcomes; align project work to identify and address the toughest current and future challenges sponsors face.
- MITRE backplane – proactively seek opportunities to bring MITRE Technology & Engineering (MTE) capabilities to bear and execute on collaboration opportunities to increase impact across MITRE projects, share products to maximize the impact of work done for SSC/S6 CIO, and reach across the company to accelerate project objectives.
- Project administration – financial reporting tools, project pages, meeting coordination, status reports, future year project work packages, Mission Value Chains, staffing, facility management, etc.
- Staff leadership – evolve the team and grow staff through career training, mentoring, hiring, and onboarding; handle/process requests for badge, network, and lab access, visit requests, tool integration, etc.
- Culture development – foster and demonstrate a strong and positive culture built upon MITRE’s behaviors and cultural attributes while maintaining a consistent sense of belonging for all.
Basic Qualifications:
- Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a B.S degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Math, Physics, or related field; or 8 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 5 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
- Demonstrated technical depth in the field of Systems Engineering, Systems of systems engineering, and space systems engineering.
- Proven ability to develop a trusted advisor relationship with a DoW/government sponsor.
- Shown success in working across organizational boundaries to deliver results.
- Demonstrated management of technical tasks and large engineering teams.
- Effective organizational skills and discipline to keep the project well-scoped and the team driven to accomplish specific objectives.
- Demonstrated ability to work shape within a team to drive technical impact.
- Serve as a mentor and foster a culture of technical creativity and mission impact, including but not limited to collaborating across MITRE to provide cross-cutting and impactful solutions.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to present complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
- Effective collaboration, strategic thinking, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to think critically and be proactive in pursuing research and problem-solving with minimal supervision.
- Must have an active Top Secret/SCI U.S Government issued Security Clearance. Per the U.S. Government’s eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance. This position requires a minimum of 4 days a week on-site.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Active Top Secret clearance with ability to obtain SAP
- Cyber Certifications such as CISSP.
- Significant experience as a program manager, experience on acquisition programs and executing work for CIOs across the US Government.
- Familiarity with other USSF mission systems and architectures.
- Experience direct knowledge of key USSF operational or acquisition commands.
- Experience in building both enterprise and tactical solutions that integrate within the DoD.
- MS or PhD in Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Applied Cybersecurity Engineering or similar field.
- Ability to quickly respond to changing program and political environment while keeping strategic focus intact.
This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):
Top Secret/SCIThis requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):
Not ApplicableSalary compensation range and midpoint:
$162,400 - $203,000 - $243,600 AnnualWork Location Type:
OnsiteCommitment to Non-Discrimination
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.
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Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Project Leader Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Retail
- Technology & Software
- Construction & Real Estate
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in project leader jobs across California.
- PMP certification from the Project Management Institute recognized by California employers as a standard credential
- Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, information technology, or a related field
- Demonstrated experience managing cross-functional teams and delivering projects on schedule
- Proficiency with project management tools such as Microsoft Project, Jira, or Smartsheet
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for stakeholder reporting and executive updates
- Familiarity with Agile or Scrum methodologies for technology and product-focused California roles
Project Leader Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a project leader in California?
The most direct path is earning a bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or a related field and then obtaining a Project Management Professional certification through the Project Management Institute, which California employers widely treat as the benchmark credential. California has no state-issued license specific to project leaders, but construction-focused roles often expect candidates to hold or pursue a California Contractors State License Board credential depending on the project type. Building experience in coordinator or analyst roles first is the standard route into leadership positions.
How much do project leaders make in California?
Project leaders 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 leaders in California?
Employers hiring project leaders in California right now include RH, Taylor Design, and Ruhnau Clarke Architects, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of defense contractors, major health systems, and large technology headquarters makes it one of the most consistent states for project leader hiring across multiple industries.
Which California cities have the most project leader jobs?
The cities with the most project leader openings in California are San Francisco, Corte Madera, and El Segundo. The distribution reflects California's economic geography: Los Angeles anchors entertainment, aerospace, and healthcare hiring, the San Francisco Bay Area drives technology and startup project leadership demand, and San Diego's defense and biotech sectors generate steady openings outside the major metro centers.
Are there remote project leader jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 29% of project leader openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how much of the role centers on planning, communication, and documentation rather than physical presence. Technology and software project leadership positions are most likely to offer fully remote arrangements, while construction and facilities project roles typically require regular on-site work.
How can I get hired as a project leader in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a project coordinator or project analyst role, which large California employers across healthcare, technology, and construction use as a feeder into leadership positions. Kaiser Permanente, Northrop Grumman, and major California university systems run associate or rotational programs that bring in candidates without full leadership experience. Completing a Google Project Management Certificate or an entry-level PMP education requirement while working in an adjacent role such as operations analyst, program coordinator, or business analyst significantly strengthens a California application at this stage.
Where can I find and apply to project leader jobs in California?
You can find and apply to project leader jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across technology, construction, healthcare, and defense. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 23 Project Leader Jobs in California
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