Structural Designer Jobs in California
Structural Designer jobs in California are in strong demand, concentrated in aerospace and defense, commercial construction, semiconductor fabrication facilities, and large-scale infrastructure, with openings at every level from drafting-focused junior roles through senior positions leading complex structural systems. The highest hiring volume is in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where firms like AECOM, Jacobs Engineering, and Thornton Tomasetti maintain established California operations. The most sought-after specialties right now are seismic design, steel connection detailing, and BIM-integrated structural documentation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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What You'll Be Doing
Job Summary: Generally responsible for performing all aspects for complete design of complex civil/structural assignments using theoretical knowledge and practical design methods. Work at this level requires extensive progressive experience in civil/structural design and involves applying advanced design techniques and analysis. This work will be performed under general supervision.
Primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to:
Familiarity with and utilization of department design and drafting standards.
Recognizing and communicating project scope, specifications and design criteria upon assignment to a project task team.
Reviewing and comprehending the latest information available regarding civil/structural calculations, equipment drawings and layouts or drawings from other disciplines before initiating design effort on specific drawings.
Drafting civil/structural plans under minimal supervision.
Being knowledgeable of basic civil material specifications to the extent that all information required for material purchase, fabrication and construction is reflected on the finished drawings.
Recognizing and communicating scope and design changes promptly.
Performing field related work collecting design information and verifying designs for tie-ins, function and clearances to existing facility.
On-site assistance during startup.
Performing field support activities, where assigned, for engineering support during construction.
Assisting engineers with cost and material estimates and preliminary design studies.
Checking the accuracy and quality of drawings developed by drafters, when assigned, based on information conveyed by engineering direction, equipment and discipline drawings.
Providing technical guidance to less experienced drafting personnel in the department.
Coordinating & delegating work activities with other teammates and the discipline leads.
Producing civil/structural construction scopes with engineering review and approval.
Able to serve in role as a mentor for entry level and new teammates.
This position offers a highly competitive compensation package, including paid time off, health insurance benefits, and matching retirement contributions.
Below is the range that we in good faith believe is the potential compensation for this role at the time of this posting and is only applicable for jobs to be performed in California. The typical base salary range for this position is just one component of Hargrove’s total compensation package for Teammates. Actual compensation will be based on education, experience, skill set and location.
Minimum Salary: $50.00 per hour
Maximum Salary: $60.00 per hour
Ideal Background
Education: Associate degree in Engineering Technology or Computer-Aided Drafting is required.
Certification: Certification is not required at this level.
Experience: This position requires 8+ years of relevant industrial experience in civil/structural drafting and design.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge and application of AISC and ACI standard details.
Ability to produce drawings for concrete and structural steel, and/or civil disciplines.
Familiarity with specifications and installation details of construction bulk materials and equipment.
Knowledge and application of company engineering design and CAD drafting standards.
Ability to create accurate civil/structural construction documents from the information found on vendor equipment drawings.
Knowledge and understanding of work flow/information flow between disciplines.
Knowledge and understanding of schedule constraints and information requirements for the production of all civil/structural deliverables.
Ability to accurately estimate completion of assigned tasks.
Ability to develop a construction cost estimate, a detailed engineering schedule and a man-hour budget for a small project or an area for a larger project with engineering review and approval.
Ability to lead a small team to deliver on commitments.
Ability to deliver good presentations of Hargrove Engineers & Constructors services.
Working knowledge of CAD software, either AutoCAD, Microstation or both.
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
Good communication skills, both verbal and written.
Good presentation skills.
Virtual team skills and cross divisional relationships are developed, and able to provide interoffice execution support under general supervision. Interoffice execution leadership skills are developing.
Physical Requirements
Ability to sit, stand, or walk for long periods of time.
Hargrove Culture
We work to create an environment founded on trust, personal integrity, and a “team mentality” so that each person understands the value of their contributions both on a project and company-wide level. We know that each person on our team contributes to the success of our company by pairing expertise and passion to meet and exceed the needs of the clients we serve across the globe.
Our safety culture protects and promotes the well-being of every person who works with us and every person touched by our work.
As a 100% Teammate owned company, we proudly offer a comprehensive benefits package including, paid holidays, personal paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, 401(k), and other benefits to eligible Teammates.
Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
Hargrove is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex (including gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, sexual identity, marital or family status), disability, military service or obligations, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Hargrove is a drug-free workplace.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
See All 16 Structural Designer Jobs in California
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Find Structural Designer JobsStructural Designer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Structural Designer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Distribution & Wholesale
- Consulting & Professional Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in structural designer jobs across California.
- EIT or PE licensure through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists preferred or required
- Proficiency in structural analysis and detailing software such as ETABS, SAP2000, or RISA
- Experience producing construction documents using Revit Structure or AutoCAD
- Working knowledge of California Building Code and seismic design requirements under ASCE 7
- Bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering or architectural engineering
- Familiarity with BIM coordination workflows and interdisciplinary model review processes
Structural Designer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a structural designer in California?
The standard California path begins with a bachelor's degree in civil, structural, or architectural engineering, followed by registration as an Engineer-in-Training through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. Most structural designers then pursue a Professional Engineer license in civil or structural engineering after accumulating supervised experience. Employers also look for demonstrated proficiency in seismic design, California Building Code compliance, and BIM tools before advancing to senior design roles.
How much do structural designers make in California?
Structural designers in California earn a median of about $122,500 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,980 for the lowest 10% to over $175,940 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire structural designers in California?
Employers hiring structural designers in California right now include KPFF Consulting Engineers, Anvil Corporation, and Stantec, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's concentration of aerospace contractors, public infrastructure agencies, and large commercial developers means openings appear across a broader range of industries here than in most other states.
Which California cities have the most structural designer jobs?
Los Angeles, California, and Irvine lead California for structural designer openings. Los Angeles anchors demand through its large commercial construction market and aerospace and entertainment facility work, San Francisco draws openings from tech campus development and seismic retrofit projects, and San Diego reflects strong activity from defense contractors and life sciences facility construction.
Are there remote structural designer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're limited. Structural design involves site-specific code review, coordinated BIM modeling, and regular collaboration with architects and contractors, so fully remote arrangements are less common than in purely analytical roles. About 60% of structural designer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026. The tasks most likely to be performed remotely are preliminary modeling, documentation, and interdisciplinary design reviews.
How can I get hired as a structural designer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is an engineer-in-training role or junior drafter position at a mid-size California engineering firm, where you work under a licensed PE on permitted projects. Large firms like AECOM and Jacobs regularly bring on recent graduates into structured junior programs. Building a portfolio of coursework models, earthquake engineering studio projects, or open-source Revit files strengthens applications considerably, and passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam early signals commitment to the PE path that California employers expect.
Where can I find and apply to structural designer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to structural designer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and experience levels. Search the listings, find roles that fit your background and location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 16 Structural Designer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Structural Designer Jobs