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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At Fehr & Peers, we are a diverse group of individuals with one thing in common—a passion for transportation. We value that same curiosity, initiative, and commitment to improving communities in our employees.
As a Transportation or Civil Engineer with 7-12 years of experience, you are:
* Operating with a strong technical foundation
* Demonstrating ownership in the quality and timeliness of your work
* Balancing collaboration while also effectively using judgment and expertise to operate independently
* Successfully scoping and managing projects including delegating to other individuals as well as managing clients
* Effectively mentoring and teaching others as part of project work execution
You’ll work on a wide range engineering projects, advancing your technical expertise and your ability to manage projects, support clients, bring in new project opportunities, and contribute to the success of your team. Along the way, you’ll be supported by a collaborative culture that values mentorship, encourages initiative, and empowers you to grow into a strong project manager.
Project Experience May Include:
* Managing and delivering transportation projects from conceptual planning through final design, including preparation of Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E).
* Subject matter expertise in one or more of the following areas:
+ Traffic engineering design, including bikeways, traffic signals, signing and striping, roundabouts, lighting, and temporary traffic control.
+ Complete streets planning, operations, and design.
+ Multimodal operations assessments.
+ Corridor and interchange studies.
Responsibilities
* Lead and manage projects, including coordinating scope, schedule, and budget
* Apply standard and intermediate analytical techniques independently, with appropriate guidance
* Contribute to, and as appropriate, lead project approaches, problem-solving, and decision-making
* Prepare clear, well-organized technical reports, memos, and presentations
* Participate in and lead client meetings and support relationship development
* Mentor entry-level staff and interns, including delegating, reviewing work and providing guidance
* Lead, in collaboration with others, proposal efforts and business development initiatives
* Balance multiple assignments while managing your own workload effectively
* Conduct site visits and field data collection as needed
Growth & Development
In this role, you can expect to:
* Contribute to a rapidly growing complete streets design practice with opportunities for office and regional leadership
* Strengthen and enhance your project management skills by leading moderate to large project efforts and coordinating with team members
* Deepen confidence in communicating technical concepts to clients, stakeholders, and the public
* Build mentoring and delegation skills as you support junior staff
* Deepen your area of technical expertise while continuing to expand your overall skillset
* Explore new tools and ideas through our internal Research and Development program
Qualifications
* 7–12 years of relevant experience in transportation planning or engineering
* Bachelor’s or master’s degree in transportation or civil engineering
* Experience applying transportation analysis techniques with increasing independence
* Experience in one or more of the following areas (experience in all is not required): transportation planning, traffic engineering, transportation design (conceptual through PS&E), complete streets, traffic operations analysis, or travel demand modeling
* Familiarity with relevant software (experience with all is not required):
+ General (required): Microsoft Excel, CAD (AutoCAD, MicroStation)
+ Traffic Operations (preferred): HCS, Synchro/SimTraffic, Vistro, VISSIM, Sidra
* Demonstrated ability to manage tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines
* Strong written and verbal communication skills
* A proactive, entrepreneurial mindset and willingness to take initiative
* Interest in mentoring others and contributing to a collaborative team environment
* California Civil PE License required; additional license or certification viewed favorably
Placement within the stated pay range will be determined based upon education, experience, and qualifications.
Benefit Highlights:
* Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability Insurance.
* 401(k) Plan with matching and profit sharing.
* Flexible Spending Accounts.
* Commuter Benefits.
* Paid Vacation, holidays and sick leave.
* 8 weeks of Paid Parental Leave.
* Mentoring and Career Development programs.
* Research and Development group participation, and more.
Full information about the benefits we offer can be found by visiting our careers page.
EEO: Fehr & Peers is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment in the workplace. We welcome applicants of diverse backgrounds, and hire without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation, military service or any other characteristic protected by law.
San Francisco Applicants: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Nondiscrimination: Fehr & Peers ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact Human Resources.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
See All 77 Transportation Engineer Jobs in California
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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 Engineers30

- HDR8

- Fehr & Peers4

- Kimley-Horn3

- AECOM2

Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services46
- Technology & Software7
- Construction & Real Estate6
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals3
- Electronics & Hardware3
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, HDR, and Fehr & Peers, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 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 Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Jose 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 27% of transportation engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 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 77 Transportation Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Transportation Engineer Jobs