Transportation Engineer Jobs in California
Transportation Engineer jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, concentrated in infrastructure, transit, and public-works sectors and open to candidates from entry-level project assistant through senior principal engineer. The heaviest hiring sits in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where firms like AECOM, WSP, and Caltrans have deep, lasting presences and recurring recruitment cycles. The most in-demand specialties right now are traffic operations, multimodal corridor design, and transportation planning tied to California's ongoing highway and rail programs. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 63+ Transportation Engineer jobs
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
In the role of Transportation Hydraulics Engineer, we'll count on you to:
- The primary duties of the Drainage Engineer are to provide project engineering with a focus on transportation projects and public transportation clients throughout the Southern California Region.
-
Anticipated work tasks may include:
- Conduct hydraulic and hydrologic modeling
- Conduct stormwater collection systems modeling and design
- Collect, assimilate, and present data in reports, memos and public forums
- Production of design calculations and technical reports
Lead preparation of engineering plans and specifications for design of detention facilities, storm drains, flood control facilities, and other hydraulic structures
- Will work independently as well as assist groups of medium to large teams of professionals and technicians dependent on project/task. Will be involved in highway and railroad drainage design and plans production for Caltrans and Municipal clients, drainage analysis and documentation, and stormwater management design & permitting.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in water resources or related discipline
- 3 years of experience in roadway or railroad drainage engineering projects is preferred.
- PE or ability to obtain within 12 months. Candidates hired without their PE will have the title of Drainage EIT and will be expected to obtain their PE for career progression
- Previous work experience with CalTrans projects (studies and design) is preferred.
- Project experience and existing relationships with local DOT and municipal clients
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Preference will be given to local candidates.
- Strong leadership, planning, mentoring and staff management experience
- Advanced knowledge of stormwater engineering concepts and H&H modeling programs and ArcGIS
-
Ability to work in the office to allow for collaboration
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, environmental, water resources or other related fields
- Professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered.
- A minimum of 3 years' licensed experience in stormwater and water resources
- Demonstrated design skills, communication skills and ability to collaborate with various teams
- Technical proficiency in hydrologic and hydraulic design and analyses, modelling, permitting, and preparing drainage reports
- Experience with AutoCAD, Civil 3D, MicroStation, and/or OpenRoads Designer focused on storm system design
- Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to support marketing efforts
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
Primary Location
: United States-California-San DiegoIndustry
: Highway + RoadSchedule
: Full-timeEmployee Status
: RegularJob Posting
: Sep 26, 2026
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
In the role of Transportation Hydraulics Engineer, we'll count on you to:
- The primary duties of the Drainage Engineer are to provide project engineering with a focus on transportation projects and public transportation clients throughout the Southern California Region.
-
Anticipated work tasks may include:
- Conduct hydraulic and hydrologic modeling
- Conduct stormwater collection systems modeling and design
- Collect, assimilate, and present data in reports, memos and public forums
- Production of design calculations and technical reports
Lead preparation of engineering plans and specifications for design of detention facilities, storm drains, flood control facilities, and other hydraulic structures
- Will work independently as well as assist groups of medium to large teams of professionals and technicians dependent on project/task. Will be involved in highway and railroad drainage design and plans production for Caltrans and Municipal clients, drainage analysis and documentation, and stormwater management design & permitting.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in water resources or related discipline
- 3 years of experience in roadway or railroad drainage engineering projects is preferred.
- PE or ability to obtain within 12 months. Candidates hired without their PE will have the title of Drainage EIT and will be expected to obtain their PE for career progression
- Previous work experience with CalTrans projects (studies and design) is preferred.
- Project experience and existing relationships with local DOT and municipal clients
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Preference will be given to local candidates.
- Strong leadership, planning, mentoring and staff management experience
- Advanced knowledge of stormwater engineering concepts and H&H modeling programs and ArcGIS
-
Ability to work in the office to allow for collaboration
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, environmental, water resources or other related fields
- Professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered.
- A minimum of 3 years' licensed experience in stormwater and water resources
- Demonstrated design skills, communication skills and ability to collaborate with various teams
- Technical proficiency in hydrologic and hydraulic design and analyses, modelling, permitting, and preparing drainage reports
- Experience with AutoCAD, Civil 3D, MicroStation, and/or OpenRoads Designer focused on storm system design
- Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to support marketing efforts
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
Primary Location
: United States-California-San DiegoIndustry
: Highway + RoadSchedule
: Full-timeEmployee Status
: RegularJob Posting
: Sep 26, 2026See All 63 Transportation Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Transportation Engineer JobsTransportation Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Transportation Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- BKF Engineers21
- Caltrans - CA Dept. of Transportation13
- Fehr & Peers6
- GHD2
- AECOM2
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Law & Legal Services
- Energy
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in transportation engineer jobs across California.
- Active Professional Engineer license issued or recognized by the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, transportation engineering, or a closely related field
- Proficiency with traffic analysis software such as Synchro, VISSIM, or HCS
- Familiarity with Caltrans design standards, the Highway Design Manual, and California MUTCD
- Experience preparing or reviewing CEQA transportation impact analyses
- Strong technical writing skills for reports, specifications, and agency correspondence
Transportation Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a transportation engineer in California?
The standard path starts with a bachelor's degree in civil or transportation engineering, followed by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam to become an Engineer in Training. After gaining qualifying experience, you apply to the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists to sit for the Civil PE exam, earning your Professional Engineer license. Many California employers also value experience with Caltrans project delivery and familiarity with CEQA requirements.
How much do transportation engineers make in California?
Transportation engineers 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 transportation engineers in California?
Employers hiring transportation engineers in California right now include BKF Engineers, Caltrans - CA Dept. of Transportation, and Fehr & Peers, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's large public agencies, including Caltrans and regional metropolitan planning organizations, are also consistent sources of openings alongside private engineering consulting firms.
Which California cities have the most transportation engineer jobs?
San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland hold the most transportation engineer openings in California. Los Angeles and San Francisco dominate because of their scale, ongoing freeway and transit capital programs, and the density of engineering consulting offices headquartered or staffed there, while San Diego draws consistent demand from both military infrastructure projects and regional transit expansion.
Are there remote transportation engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. About 83% of transportation engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the field's reliance on field investigations, agency meetings, and construction oversight. The tasks most likely to be performed remotely are traffic modeling, report writing, and planning studies that do not require a physical site presence.
How can I get hired as a transportation engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an internship or associate-engineer role at a large California consulting firm or a public agency such as Caltrans or a county public works department, which run structured new-graduate programs with mentorship toward PE licensure. Candidates moving from adjacent roles in civil design, urban planning, or GIS analysis are well-positioned, and holding an Engineer in Training certificate from the California board gives your application a clear credential signal even before you have years of project experience.
Where can I find and apply to transportation engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to transportation engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers actively hiring. Find the roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to each one.
See All 63 Transportation Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Transportation Engineer Jobs