Structural Engineer Jobs in California

Structural Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in seismic retrofit and resilience work, large-scale commercial and mixed-use development, transportation infrastructure, and water systems across a market that hires from entry-level graduates through principal engineers. The heaviest hiring is in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where firms like AECOM, Thornton Tomasetti, and WSP maintain major California offices and take on some of the state's most complex projects. The most in-demand specialties are seismic design and analysis, bridge and highway structures, and high-rise lateral systems. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles290+
Top employerNorthrop Grumman
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring64
Work type44% Hybrid
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 290+ Structural Engineer jobs

Graduate Engineer - Structural
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New 2h ago
Graduate Engineer - Structural
WALTER P MOORE
San Francisco, California
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering
$93k - $116k/yr
Master's degree in civil engineering

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Senior Engineer - Structural - Citywide (5211) - (C00484)
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New 6h ago
Senior Engineer - Structural - Citywide (5211) - (C00484)
City and County of San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Data Analytics
IT Support
Technical Program Management
Military encouraged
5,001-10,000

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Senior Civil Structural Engineer
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New 9h ago
Senior Civil Structural Engineer
Kairos Power
San Jose, California
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
$141k - $165k/yr
Master's degree

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Senior Engineer - Structural
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New 18h ago
Senior Engineer - Structural
WALTER P MOORE
San Diego, California
Cloud Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Program Management
$111k - $138k/yr
Master's degree in civil engineering

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Structural Systems Engineer
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Added 1d ago
Structural Systems Engineer
Sierra Lobo
Pasadena, California
Aerospace Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
201-500

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See All 290+ Structural Engineer Jobs in California

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Structural Engineer Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Sacramento
15 jobs
Oakland
12 jobs
Pasadena
9 jobs
Palmdale
8 jobs
Orange
7 jobs

Structural Engineer Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • Northrop Grumman19
  • Stantec13
  • Thornton Tomasetti13
  • HDR11
  • DEGENKOLB ENGINEERS9

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consulting & Professional Services47
  • Construction & Real Estate12
  • Healthcare & Medical Services5
  • Energy4
  • Transportation & Logistics3

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in structural engineer jobs across California.

  • Active California SE or PE license issued by the California Board for Professional Engineers
  • Bachelor's or master's degree in civil or structural engineering from an accredited program
  • Proficiency in ETABS, SAP2000, RISA, or comparable structural analysis software
  • Experience with seismic design codes, including CBC and ASCE 7 requirements
  • Ability to produce and review structural drawings and specifications using AutoCAD or Revit
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for coordinating with project teams and clients

Structural Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a structural engineer in California?

Becoming a structural engineer in California requires earning an accredited engineering degree, gaining qualifying work experience, and passing the exams administered through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. California offers a dedicated Structural Engineer license, the SE, which authorizes design of complex structures and is required for hospitals and schools under the state's Essential Services Act. Most engineers first obtain their Civil PE, then pursue the California SE through additional exams.

Which companies hire structural engineers in California?

Employers hiring structural engineers in California right now include Northrop Grumman, Stantec, and Thornton Tomasetti, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of seismic retrofit mandates, major transit programs, and large mixed-use development projects keeps demand steady at both large national firms and regional specialty practices.

Which California cities have the most structural engineer jobs?

The cities with the most structural engineer openings in California are Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. Los Angeles dominates because of its sheer volume of commercial construction, public infrastructure investment, and the state's largest concentration of engineering firms, while San Francisco and San Diego draw openings through major transit, waterfront, and institutional projects backed by large public and private clients.

Are there remote structural engineer jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. About 58% of structural engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how much of the role requires site visits, hands-on coordination with contractors, and in-person plan review. The parts of the work most suited to remote arrangements are analysis, modeling, and report writing rather than construction administration.

How can I get hired as a structural engineer in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is an engineer-in-training role at a mid-size California structural or civil engineering firm, where new graduates work under licensed SEs on live projects while accumulating the experience hours required for licensure. Large California firms including AECOM, Jacobs, and Kleinfelder run structured new-graduate programs. Completing the FE exam through the California Board before graduating gives candidates a clear edge, and a portfolio of university project work or internship drawings strengthens any application to design-focused practices.

Where can I find and apply to structural engineer jobs in California?

You can find and apply to structural engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find roles that fit your experience, specialization, and preferred location, and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 290+ Structural Engineer Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Structural Engineer Jobs