Project Management Lead Jobs in California
Project Management Lead jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in technology, defense, healthcare, and large-scale infrastructure, with openings at every level from associate project manager through senior program lead. The heaviest hiring occurs in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where employers like Northrop Grumman, Kaiser Permanente, and Apple maintain large, established project delivery organizations. Agile delivery, cross-functional technology programs, and capital construction oversight are the most in-demand specialties across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Project Management Lead JobsOverview
Open roles7
Top employerCiti
Top cityMalibu, CA
Cities hiring7
Work type80% On-site
Top industryEducation
Showing 5 of 7+ Project Management Lead jobs
Group Lead, Design Project Management
We won't show you this job again
Added 6d ago
IPS-Integrated Project Services
Group Lead, Design Project Management
Emeryville, California
Added 6d ago
Sr Principal Project Management Staffing Lead
We won't show you this job again
Added 2w ago
Northrop Grumman
Sr Principal Project Management Staffing Lead
San Diego, California
Added 2w ago
Project Management Lead - Branch Network Real Estate, VP
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Added 2w ago
Citi
Project Management Lead - Branch Network Real Estate, VP
Fountain Valley, California
Added 2w ago
Project Management Lead
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Added 1mo ago
Modus Closing
Project Management Lead
Los Angeles, California
Added 1mo ago
Project Management and Commercial Lead (PMCL)
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Added 2mo ago
Stantec
Project Management and Commercial Lead (PMCL)
Sacramento, California
Added 2mo ago
Added 6d ago
Group Lead, Design Project Management
IPS-Integrated Project Services·Emeryville, California
Job functions:
$188k - $251k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's degree in architecture
1,001-5,000 employees
Job Description
Job Description:
In this position, you will provide leadership of the technical discipline and direct the day-to-day operational activities of the department. You will also be responsible for the delivery of the target gross margin profits of the department. Furthermore, you will manage staffing activities, including recruiting, retention, and development of department staff. Actively manages department revenue growth and labor efficiency.
Additional Responsibilities
The salary offered for this role is between $188,000 and $251,000, but the actual salary offered is dependent on experience, skill set, and education.
About Us:
Specialties
Process Architecture, Process Design, Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, Qualification, LEAN Project Delivery, Strategic Master Planning, Energy Conservation Management, Project Controls, Program/Project Management, Operations/Logistics Strategy and Planning, EPCMV, and Staffing Services.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at IPS without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veteran, marital, or citizenship status, or any other status protected by law. IPS is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.
#LI-DT1
At IPS, we are global leaders in developing innovative solutions for the consulting, architecture, engineering, project controls, procurement, construction management, and CQV of technically complex facilities, primarily in the life sciences industry. We are looking for a dedicated Group Lead, Project Management, to join our talented team at our office located in Emeryville, California.
In this position, you will provide leadership of the technical discipline and direct the day-to-day operational activities of the department. You will also be responsible for the delivery of the target gross margin profits of the department. Furthermore, you will manage staffing activities, including recruiting, retention, and development of department staff. Actively manages department revenue growth and labor efficiency.
Additional Responsibilities
- Ensures the quality, accuracy, and completeness of overall work as to engineering, compliance with establishedIPS standards, procedures, codes, and ordinances.
- Primary responsible individual for the quality of the unit's outputrelated to adherence to stated project goals as well as legal and IPS guidelines, and efficiency.
- Contributes technical input and oversees the technical output of the department to ensure compliance with legal, IPS, and project requirements.
- Protects IPS corporate welfare through the application of prudent judgment and implementation of risk management techniques.
- Coordinates and contributes technical input and oversees the technical output of the department to ensure compliance with legal, IPS, and project requirements.
- Oversees the Peer Review program.
- Develops and assures implementation of standards and tools to ensure department output meets or exceeds established quality and performance expectations.
- Oversees manpower planning of unit resources and administers technical staff to assure efficient assignment of resources on multiple, concurrent projects.
- Recruits, retains, and develops staffing plans to meet forecast labor and skills required to meet the business plan.
- Supervises designers and engineers and ensures that all employees within the department are properlymanaged and trained.
- Instills a positive work environment and facilitates effective staff development efforts.
- Communicates staffing levels regularly with all levels of management at IPS.
- Prepares proposals for service and supports the preparation of proposals by others.
- Supports business development with presentations and related marketing activities.
- Special projects as assigned.
- Registered Professional.
- Bachelor's degree in Architecture/Engineering or a related field.
- 15+ years of diversified engineering experience, at least 10 of which have been in a supervisory or management capacity, consisting of planning, designing, and construction of engineering projects.
- Progressive ability, capacity, and aptitude in administration to plan, organize, supervise, and coordinate technical work and to obtain cooperation from others.
- Analytical thinking, structured problem-solving skills, superior communications skills, team building, and a strong work ethic.
- Must be able to build rapport with department staff.
- Must be licensed and stamped/signed drawings per applicable law.
Physical Demands
- Must be able to stand, sit, and walk for prolonged periods.
- Must possess the ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl as required.
- Must be able to lift and move objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
- Must be able to climb ladders as necessary.
Work Environment
- Must be able to work in both indoor and outdoor environments, which may include exposure to varying working conditions.
- Must be able to adhere to strict cleanroom gowning protocol.
Travel
- This position will have 5-20% travel, or as required by the assigned project.
- You may be assigned to a client site for an extended period.
- Overnight travel or staying in the city of the Client’s location is possible, depending on the assignment.
- Please review the IPS Travel Policy.
- You will visit Client sites and will be required to adhere to stated safety rules.
- Must have access to reliable transportation.
- Must have the ability to travel and commute on a daily or routine basis.
Safety
- This position is a safety-sensitive position. The employee is designated for field work and attends activities at client sites where they work in construction, process, packaging, manufacturing, research, or other "non-administrative" areas.
All interviews are conducted either in person or virtually, with video required.
The salary offered for this role is between $188,000 and $251,000, but the actual salary offered is dependent on experience, skill set, and education.
IPS, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a global leader in technical consulting, architecture, engineering, procurement, construction management, commissioning, qualification, and validation services for technically complex facilities. Integration is how we think and work. It requires the ability to unite existing and emerging technologies into a process that reliably delivers products and accelerates speed to market. That end-to-end mindset allows us to be agile and anticipate challenges as we move projects toward operational readiness. IPS applies design and delivery expertise, client-side experience, and supplier-side insight to every project. We infuse our curiosity, our passion, and our commitment to partnership in delivering solutions at any scale. We meet our clients where they are and get them to where they need to go. That’s only possible when we care as much as our clients do.
Specialties
Process Architecture, Process Design, Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, Qualification, LEAN Project Delivery, Strategic Master Planning, Energy Conservation Management, Project Controls, Program/Project Management, Operations/Logistics Strategy and Planning, EPCMV, and Staffing Services.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at IPS without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veteran, marital, or citizenship status, or any other status protected by law. IPS is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.
#LI-DT1
IPS-Integrated Project Services
Group Lead, Design Project Management
Emeryville, California
Added 6d ago1,001-5,000 employees
Job functions:
$188k - $251k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's degree in architecture
Job Description
Job Description:
In this position, you will provide leadership of the technical discipline and direct the day-to-day operational activities of the department. You will also be responsible for the delivery of the target gross margin profits of the department. Furthermore, you will manage staffing activities, including recruiting, retention, and development of department staff. Actively manages department revenue growth and labor efficiency.
Additional Responsibilities
The salary offered for this role is between $188,000 and $251,000, but the actual salary offered is dependent on experience, skill set, and education.
About Us:
Specialties
Process Architecture, Process Design, Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, Qualification, LEAN Project Delivery, Strategic Master Planning, Energy Conservation Management, Project Controls, Program/Project Management, Operations/Logistics Strategy and Planning, EPCMV, and Staffing Services.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at IPS without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veteran, marital, or citizenship status, or any other status protected by law. IPS is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.
#LI-DT1
At IPS, we are global leaders in developing innovative solutions for the consulting, architecture, engineering, project controls, procurement, construction management, and CQV of technically complex facilities, primarily in the life sciences industry. We are looking for a dedicated Group Lead, Project Management, to join our talented team at our office located in Emeryville, California.
In this position, you will provide leadership of the technical discipline and direct the day-to-day operational activities of the department. You will also be responsible for the delivery of the target gross margin profits of the department. Furthermore, you will manage staffing activities, including recruiting, retention, and development of department staff. Actively manages department revenue growth and labor efficiency.
Additional Responsibilities
- Ensures the quality, accuracy, and completeness of overall work as to engineering, compliance with establishedIPS standards, procedures, codes, and ordinances.
- Primary responsible individual for the quality of the unit's outputrelated to adherence to stated project goals as well as legal and IPS guidelines, and efficiency.
- Contributes technical input and oversees the technical output of the department to ensure compliance with legal, IPS, and project requirements.
- Protects IPS corporate welfare through the application of prudent judgment and implementation of risk management techniques.
- Coordinates and contributes technical input and oversees the technical output of the department to ensure compliance with legal, IPS, and project requirements.
- Oversees the Peer Review program.
- Develops and assures implementation of standards and tools to ensure department output meets or exceeds established quality and performance expectations.
- Oversees manpower planning of unit resources and administers technical staff to assure efficient assignment of resources on multiple, concurrent projects.
- Recruits, retains, and develops staffing plans to meet forecast labor and skills required to meet the business plan.
- Supervises designers and engineers and ensures that all employees within the department are properlymanaged and trained.
- Instills a positive work environment and facilitates effective staff development efforts.
- Communicates staffing levels regularly with all levels of management at IPS.
- Prepares proposals for service and supports the preparation of proposals by others.
- Supports business development with presentations and related marketing activities.
- Special projects as assigned.
- Registered Professional.
- Bachelor's degree in Architecture/Engineering or a related field.
- 15+ years of diversified engineering experience, at least 10 of which have been in a supervisory or management capacity, consisting of planning, designing, and construction of engineering projects.
- Progressive ability, capacity, and aptitude in administration to plan, organize, supervise, and coordinate technical work and to obtain cooperation from others.
- Analytical thinking, structured problem-solving skills, superior communications skills, team building, and a strong work ethic.
- Must be able to build rapport with department staff.
- Must be licensed and stamped/signed drawings per applicable law.
Physical Demands
- Must be able to stand, sit, and walk for prolonged periods.
- Must possess the ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl as required.
- Must be able to lift and move objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
- Must be able to climb ladders as necessary.
Work Environment
- Must be able to work in both indoor and outdoor environments, which may include exposure to varying working conditions.
- Must be able to adhere to strict cleanroom gowning protocol.
Travel
- This position will have 5-20% travel, or as required by the assigned project.
- You may be assigned to a client site for an extended period.
- Overnight travel or staying in the city of the Client’s location is possible, depending on the assignment.
- Please review the IPS Travel Policy.
- You will visit Client sites and will be required to adhere to stated safety rules.
- Must have access to reliable transportation.
- Must have the ability to travel and commute on a daily or routine basis.
Safety
- This position is a safety-sensitive position. The employee is designated for field work and attends activities at client sites where they work in construction, process, packaging, manufacturing, research, or other "non-administrative" areas.
All interviews are conducted either in person or virtually, with video required.
The salary offered for this role is between $188,000 and $251,000, but the actual salary offered is dependent on experience, skill set, and education.
IPS, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a global leader in technical consulting, architecture, engineering, procurement, construction management, commissioning, qualification, and validation services for technically complex facilities. Integration is how we think and work. It requires the ability to unite existing and emerging technologies into a process that reliably delivers products and accelerates speed to market. That end-to-end mindset allows us to be agile and anticipate challenges as we move projects toward operational readiness. IPS applies design and delivery expertise, client-side experience, and supplier-side insight to every project. We infuse our curiosity, our passion, and our commitment to partnership in delivering solutions at any scale. We meet our clients where they are and get them to where they need to go. That’s only possible when we care as much as our clients do.
Specialties
Process Architecture, Process Design, Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, Qualification, LEAN Project Delivery, Strategic Master Planning, Energy Conservation Management, Project Controls, Program/Project Management, Operations/Logistics Strategy and Planning, EPCMV, and Staffing Services.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at IPS without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veteran, marital, or citizenship status, or any other status protected by law. IPS is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.
#LI-DT1
See All 7 Project Management Lead Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Project Management Lead JobsProject Management Lead Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Malibu
1 jobSan Diego
1 jobEmeryville
1 jobSacramento
1 jobLos Angeles
1 jobSan Francisco
1 jobFountain Valley
1 jobProject Management Lead Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Construction & Real Estate
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in project management lead jobs across California.
- PMP certification from PMI or equivalent credential recognized by California employers
- Five or more years leading cross-functional project teams through full delivery lifecycle
- Demonstrated experience managing budgets, schedules, and stakeholder communication plans
- Proficiency with project management platforms such as Jira, Smartsheet, or MS Project
- Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, computer science, or a related field
- Experience with Agile, Scrum, or hybrid delivery frameworks in a California industry context
Project Management Lead Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a project management lead in California?
The clearest path is a bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or a technical discipline followed by several years in coordinator or analyst roles, then earning the Project Management Professional certification from PMI. California employers in technology, healthcare, and defense treat the PMP as the standard credential for lead-level roles. Large California institutions such as UC system campuses and major health networks also hire from internal promotion pipelines, so joining as a project coordinator and demonstrating delivery results is a well-worn route.
How much do project management leads make in California?
Project management leads 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 management leads in California?
Employers hiring project management leads in California right now include Citi, Stantec, and Modus Closing, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's concentration of defense contractors, major health systems, and enterprise technology headquarters means demand for experienced project leads stays consistent across economic cycles.
Which California cities have the most project management lead jobs?
Malibu, San Diego, and Emeryville have the most project management lead openings in California right now. The Bay Area and Los Angeles dominate because of their dense technology, entertainment, and healthcare employer bases, while San Diego draws significant volume from defense contractors and biotech firms headquartered along the I-15 corridor.
Are there remote project management lead jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 20% of project management lead openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting how much of the coordination work happens in digital tools rather than on a physical site. The most remote-friendly specialties are technology program management and IT delivery, while construction and facilities project leads typically require regular on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a project management lead in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a project coordinator or project analyst role at a large California employer, then building toward a lead title internally. Kaiser Permanente, the UC system, and major California defense contractors all hire entry-level project staff and promote from within. Earning a CAPM certification from PMI gives candidates without a long track of delivered projects a credible signal. Lateral moves from operations, business analysis, or product owner roles are also common entry points at California technology companies.
Where can I find and apply to project management lead jobs in California?
You can find and apply to project management lead jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Find the roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to each one.
See All 7 Project Management Lead Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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