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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Showing 5 of 204+ Structural Engineer jobs
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER ASSOCIATE
REQUIREMENT: MUST LIVE IN / OR RELOCATE TO LOS ANGELES, CA AREA
Required Experience:
- Three (3) years full-time paid professional structural engineering experience
- Emphasis on school building construction is preferred
Required Education:
- Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor's degree in structural engineering or civil engineering with specialization on structural engineering courses.
Preferred Licenses and Certificates:
- Possession of a Certification as a Professional Engineer (PE) recognized by the State of CA Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists is preferred.
Duties:
- Performs moderately complex structural engineering work to include the preparation, analysis and review of design plans, specifications, estimates and reports to comply with guidelines set by both federal, state and local agencies.
- Performs contract administration in the review of structural services required of engineering consultants and architects and make appropriate revisions and recommendations.
- Prepares structural design plans and specifications, quality assurance plans, conceptual and detailed cost estimates and other reports necessary for the construction, maintenance and operation of various concrete, structural steel, timber, masonry, metal, timber structures and other related materials.
- Assists in the review of project status, initiates change and provides advice and assistance to structural designers and other engineering and design staff.
- Assists in the review of structural plans and specifications, design and mathematical calculations in the completion of structural engineering projects and assignments as well as creating cost and expenditure requirements for alternate means of construction.
- Assists in the review of completed structural work for conformance to recognized standards and feasibility of construction as well as completeness and accuracy.
- Assists in the design and layout of foundation, floor, wall and roof framing plans for major building structures.
- Makes recommendations to contractors, architects, engineers and construction inspectors on structural issues during construction.
- Analyzes environmental impact reports, negative declarations and soils tests data to make appropriate recommendations for foundation design.
- Prepares feasibility reports and preliminary design for proposed structures and facilities under construction.
- Perform site investigations and prepare scoping reports and recommendations.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER ASSOCIATE
REQUIREMENT: MUST LIVE IN / OR RELOCATE TO LOS ANGELES, CA AREA
Required Experience:
- Three (3) years full-time paid professional structural engineering experience
- Emphasis on school building construction is preferred
Required Education:
- Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor's degree in structural engineering or civil engineering with specialization on structural engineering courses.
Preferred Licenses and Certificates:
- Possession of a Certification as a Professional Engineer (PE) recognized by the State of CA Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists is preferred.
Duties:
- Performs moderately complex structural engineering work to include the preparation, analysis and review of design plans, specifications, estimates and reports to comply with guidelines set by both federal, state and local agencies.
- Performs contract administration in the review of structural services required of engineering consultants and architects and make appropriate revisions and recommendations.
- Prepares structural design plans and specifications, quality assurance plans, conceptual and detailed cost estimates and other reports necessary for the construction, maintenance and operation of various concrete, structural steel, timber, masonry, metal, timber structures and other related materials.
- Assists in the review of project status, initiates change and provides advice and assistance to structural designers and other engineering and design staff.
- Assists in the review of structural plans and specifications, design and mathematical calculations in the completion of structural engineering projects and assignments as well as creating cost and expenditure requirements for alternate means of construction.
- Assists in the review of completed structural work for conformance to recognized standards and feasibility of construction as well as completeness and accuracy.
- Assists in the design and layout of foundation, floor, wall and roof framing plans for major building structures.
- Makes recommendations to contractors, architects, engineers and construction inspectors on structural issues during construction.
- Analyzes environmental impact reports, negative declarations and soils tests data to make appropriate recommendations for foundation design.
- Prepares feasibility reports and preliminary design for proposed structures and facilities under construction.
- Perform site investigations and prepare scoping reports and recommendations.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
See All 204+ Structural Engineer Jobs in California
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Find Structural Engineer JobsStructural Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Structural Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Northrop Grumman12
- Stantec10
- AECOM8
- HDR7
- KPFF Consulting Engineers6
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services58
- Construction & Real Estate15
- Energy6
- Healthcare & Medical Services3
- Human Resources2
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 AECOM, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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 Sacramento. 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 45% of structural engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 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 204+ Structural Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Structural Engineer Jobs