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.
Find Resident Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 81+ Resident Engineer jobs
Resident Engineer - Future Opportunity
REQUIREMENT: MUST LIVE IN / OR RELOCATE TO NORTHERN CA AREA
Minimum Experience:
- Licensed PE in California.
- Minimum 8 years of experience in highway or bridge construction inspection.
- Knowledge of Caltrans Standard Specifications and Construction Manual.
Duties:
- Act as the on-site lead, representing Caltrans on construction contracts.
- Review contractor submittals, schedules, and work plans for conformance with contract documents.
- Oversee daily field inspection and monitor work progress and quality.
- Document and process field changes, change orders, RFIs, and non-conformance reports.
- Coordinate with stakeholders, utility agencies, and public entities to resolve construction impacts.
- Maintain and submit daily reports, diaries, photographs, and progress updates.
- Approve and recommend progress payments and project closeout documentation.
- Enforce safety protocols, environmental compliance, and contract specifications on-site.
- Manage inspection team, ensuring adequate coverage and quality documentation.
Resident Engineer - Future Opportunity
REQUIREMENT: MUST LIVE IN / OR RELOCATE TO NORTHERN CA AREA
Minimum Experience:
- Licensed PE in California.
- Minimum 8 years of experience in highway or bridge construction inspection.
- Knowledge of Caltrans Standard Specifications and Construction Manual.
Duties:
- Act as the on-site lead, representing Caltrans on construction contracts.
- Review contractor submittals, schedules, and work plans for conformance with contract documents.
- Oversee daily field inspection and monitor work progress and quality.
- Document and process field changes, change orders, RFIs, and non-conformance reports.
- Coordinate with stakeholders, utility agencies, and public entities to resolve construction impacts.
- Maintain and submit daily reports, diaries, photographs, and progress updates.
- Approve and recommend progress payments and project closeout documentation.
- Enforce safety protocols, environmental compliance, and contract specifications on-site.
- Manage inspection team, ensuring adequate coverage and quality documentation.
See All 81 Resident Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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 Engineers31
- WSP in the U.S.7
- UNICO ENGINEERING4
- GFT3
- AECOM3
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services44
- Construction & Real Estate11
- 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 August 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 Ventura 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 25% of resident engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 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 81 Resident Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Resident Engineer Jobs