Resident Engineer Jobs in California
Resident Engineer jobs in California are consistently in demand, with openings concentrated in transportation infrastructure, water and wastewater systems, and large-scale construction across a market that ranks among the most active in the country for civil and systems engineering roles, from entry-level field engineers through senior resident engineers overseeing major capital programs. The heaviest hiring activity runs through Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego, where employers like Caltrans, AECOM, and WSP maintain deep California rosters. Construction management, transportation corridor oversight, and utility infrastructure are the most sought-after specializations in current California listings. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
BKF is a multi-service infrastructure consulting firm providing civil engineering, construction management, and surveying services across California, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. With offices throughout California and the Portland area, BKF has served transportation, water resources, land development, government, and federal clients for over 110 years. At BKF, you'll find a unique opportunity to grow your career with intention. Our culture values professional autonomy, innovation, and meaningful collaboration across offices. We are proud to be recognized with the Great Place to Work certification for the second year in a row.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
In this position you will serve as the Owner's professional representative on bridge, roadway, and general civil related construction projects, ensuring projects are built in accordance with contract documents.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
- Works in conjunction with technical field inspectors and project team members to ensure civil construction project goals are met
- Performs a variety of construction engineering duties, including but not limited to roadways and bridges
- Responsible for project Quality Control and Quality Assurance
- Manages professional and technical staff, as well as contract administration
- Reviews change orders, shop drawings, materials testing, and surveying activities
- Conducts weekly project meetings and oversees utility coordination
- Arranges for materials testing, surveying, grade verification, and processes requests for payment
- Ensures EEO/labor compliance for the project
- Prepares progress and final documentation in compliance with State and Federal Highway Administration requirements
- Works on a major project or multiple projects of moderate scope with complex features
- Prepares and reviews complete project documentation for conformity and quality assurance
- Assists upper-level management and staff as a technical specialist or advisor in civil construction practices
- Supervises all staff necessary to complete assignments and is responsible for project profitability
- Maintains scopes, budgets, and schedules for assignments
- Prepares proposals to provide professional construction services under the direction of a Principal Construction Manager
- Resolves issues arising from the inspection process or contract administration
- Conducts job performance evaluations
- Serves as the primary point of contact with clients and approving agencies
- Performs other related duties as assigned
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- BS in Civil Engineering
- California registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) required
- 7+ years construction contract management experience related to roadway and/or bridge construction projects
- Working knowledge of CALTRANS and local agency projects, as well as document coordination on federally funded projects desired
- Able to effectively manage people
Physical Demands:
Must be able to regularly talk, hear and operate a computer, keyboard and mouse and occasionally lift, pull/push and carry up to 20 pounds with accommodations.
Work Conditions:
Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds at a low or moderate level consistent with an office setting. Exposure to high-stress, fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Travel to other BKF locations and client sites may be required.
BENEFITS
- The typical base salary range for this position is $180,000 - $235,000, annualized depending upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location. This is a salary position paid biweekly
- Competitive salaries, profit sharing, and 401k
- Generous paid time off packages
- 9 Paid Holidays
- Flexible schedules
- Education reimbursement, Paid annual dues for professional and societal organizations
- BKF offers competitive and award-winning benefits and perks. To learn more click here.
BKF Engineers provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. BKF Engineers does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and a specific solicitation for the position or other approved engagement request for the position with BKF Engineers, BKF Engineers reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited submittals are done at the risk of the recruiter.
See All 82 Resident Engineer Jobs in California
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Find Resident Engineer JobsResident Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Resident Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- BKF Engineers35

- WSP in the U.S.4

- UNICO ENGINEERING4

- AECOM3

- TYLin3

Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services33
- Construction & Real Estate10
- Manufacturing1
- Chemicals & Materials1
- Technology & Software1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in resident engineer jobs across California.
- Active California Professional Engineer (PE) license issued by the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, construction management, or a closely related engineering discipline
- Experience reviewing construction submittals, RFIs, and contract documents on infrastructure or public works projects
- Familiarity with California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) standards, specifications, and project delivery procedures
- Proficiency in construction management software such as Procore, Primavera P6, or comparable scheduling and documentation tools
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for coordinating with contractors, inspectors, and public agency clients
Resident Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a resident engineer in California?
Becoming a resident engineer in California typically requires a bachelor's degree in civil or a related engineering field followed by obtaining a Professional Engineer license through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists, which requires passing the Fundamentals of Engineering and Principles and Practice of Engineering exams. Most California public agency positions, including those with Caltrans and local transportation authorities, require or strongly prefer candidates who hold an active California PE license before stepping into a resident engineer role.
Which companies hire resident engineers in California?
Employers hiring resident engineers in California right now include BKF Engineers, WSP in the U.S., and UNICO ENGINEERING, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's large public infrastructure programs and its mix of state agencies, county transportation commissions, and major AEC consulting firms create a broad and steady base of hiring activity throughout the year.
Which California cities have the most resident engineer jobs?
San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Oakland have the most resident engineer openings in California, driven by the concentration of active transportation, water, and public works capital programs in those metros. Los Angeles and the Bay Area anchor hiring through regional transit agencies, Caltrans district offices, and major infrastructure consultancies, while San Diego's ongoing military base and municipal infrastructure investment keeps demand steady there as well.
Are there remote resident engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. The resident engineer role is fundamentally site-based, requiring physical presence during construction, inspections, and contractor coordination, so fully remote positions represent a small share of the market. About 36% of resident engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to cover early-phase design review, document control, or program oversight work that does not require daily field visits.
How can I get hired as a resident engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is joining a California public agency or large AEC firm as a construction inspector, junior project engineer, or assistant engineer, roles that Caltrans district offices, county transportation commissions, and firms like AECOM and WSP post regularly for candidates without extensive experience. Completing the Engineer-in-Training designation by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam gives entry-level candidates a clear credential advantage in California's public-sector hiring process, and many large county agencies run formal associate engineer programs specifically designed to develop new graduates toward resident engineer responsibilities.
Where can I find and apply to resident engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to resident engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated in real time. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 82 Resident Engineer Jobs in California
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