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.

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Overview

Open roles1,005+
Top employerBKF Engineers
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring121
Work type75% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 1,005+ Project Management Lead jobs

Turner & Townsend Pty Limited
Pre-Construction Project Management Lead
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Turner & Townsend Pty Limited
Added 3w ago
Pre-Construction Project Management Lead
Turner & Townsend Pty Limited
San Francisco, California
Project & Program Management
Partnerships & Business Development
Customer Service & Support
Project Management
Business Development
$170k - $180k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
201-500

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Pepperdine University
Project Management Lead
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Pepperdine University
Added 3mo ago
Project Management Lead
Pepperdine University
Malibu, California
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$106k - $120k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Senior Project Management Lead
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Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Added 5mo ago
Senior Project Management Lead
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Thousand Oaks, California
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$112k - $176k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Stanford Medicine Children's Health
Project Management Office Lead
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Stanford Medicine Children's Health
Added 1w ago
Project Management Office Lead
Stanford Medicine Children's Health
Palo Alto, California
Project & Program Management
Project Management
Program Management
$63 - $84/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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Cushman & Wakefield
Global Project Management Program Lead
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Cushman & Wakefield
Added 4mo ago
Global Project Management Program Lead
Cushman & Wakefield
Santa Clara, California
Project & Program Management
Project Management
Program Management
$206k - $242k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Project Management Lead Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
268 jobs
Los Angeles
120 jobs
San Jose
65 jobs
San Diego
47 jobs
Irvine
42 jobs
Mountain View
35 jobs
Cupertino
26 jobs
Sacramento
24 jobs
Santa Clara
24 jobs

Project Management Lead Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • BKF Engineers
    BKF Engineers46
  • Apple
    Apple38
  • Google
    Google32
  • OpenAI
    OpenAI29
  • TikTok
    TikTok26

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software283
  • Consulting & Professional Services190
  • Electronics & Hardware64
  • Construction & Real Estate53
  • Science & Research52

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 BKF Engineers, Apple, and Google, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 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?

San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Jose 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 25% of project management lead openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 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 1,005+ 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 Jobs