Transportation Project Manager Jobs in California
Transportation Project Manager jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, concentrated in public transit, highway infrastructure, and freight logistics across a seniority range from entry-level coordinators through senior program directors. The highest volume of openings is in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento, where employers such as Caltrans, AECOM, and LA Metro maintain a lasting need for project management talent. Rail expansion, high-speed transit corridors, and active transportation planning are among the most in-demand specialties. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job Description:
Parsons is seeking an experienced Project Manager to join our highway and transportation infrastructure practice in Fresno, California. This role will support transportation projects throughout the Central Valley and surrounding region by delivering innovative and practical solutions that enhance the communities we serve.
The Project Manager will support and manage civil design efforts for transportation projects. Responsibilities will include coordinating multidisciplinary design teams, managing technical deliverables, and ensuring that design submittals, construction documents, and specifications are completed on schedule. The successful candidate will support high-quality engineering delivery in compliance with Caltrans requirements, local agency standards, and applicable industry criteria. Experience with transportation project delivery, technical design, project coordination, and client interaction is required.
Responsibilities:
Serve as a company representative with clients, Caltrans, local agencies, and subcontractors during project execution, participating in external and internal meetings and discussions.
Work with discipline leads and project engineers to develop, coordinate, and monitor project scope, schedules, and budgets for Caltrans and other California transportation projects.
Coordinate and review technical project deliverables, ensuring that applicable Caltrans, California, AASHTO, and project-specific technical standards are followed.
Monitor project productivity, progress, milestones, and deliverable schedules, and communicate issues or risks to project leadership.
Follow up on project instructions, action items, decisions, and commitments.
Assign tasks and responsibilities to project team members based on project requirements, individual qualifications, and team capabilities.
Support the execution of project tasks and deliverables and assist with resolving technical, schedule, budget, and coordination issues.
Provide guidance and mentorship to junior staff and contribute to a collaborative, high-performance team culture.
Ensure that applicable Parsons, Caltrans, and project-specific quality-management processes and requirements are followed.
Support monthly reporting of project financials, schedules, progress, and performance metrics.
Assist with scope development, fee proposals, change management, subcontractor coordination, and project controls, as needed.
Perform other responsibilities associated with this position as may be appropriate.
Requirements:
Professional registration as a California Professional Engineer is required.
Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related technical field.
10+ years of related civil engineering and project management experience on highway and transportations projects, with strong background delivering Caltrans Task Orders for PA/ED and PS&E and working on the State Highway System.
Strong technical design background with experience supporting or delivering major transportation projects, preferably for Caltrans and other local agencies within Central California.
Comprehensive knowledge of applicable Caltrans standards, policies, procedures, design manuals, project development processes, and District operations, as well as AASHTO requirements, the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, local agency requirements, public works contracting, and other applicable California transportation design standards.
Experience with transportation design software and modeling platforms, such as OpenRoads, MicroStation, Civil 3D, or equivalent, is preferred.
Must have the ability to coordinate projects, interface with clients and Caltrans representatives, and remain actively involved in technical project delivery. Project Managers are expected to be engaged in design development, technical reviews, project controls, coordination, and delivery.
Working knowledge of transportation engineering principles, Caltrans standards, industry standards, design criteria, project controls, and quality-management practices.
Proven ability to perform in a project management or coordination capacity, with excellent written and oral communication skills.
Security Clearance Requirement:
None This position is part of our Critical Infrastructure team. For more than 80 years, our experts have designed and delivered the critical infrastructure that connects and protects communities around the world. We work in collaborative teams, both within the company and with our partners and customers, to plan, design, build, and modernize infrastructure. We take special pride in projects and solutions that improve communities as well as people’s quality of life by promoting economic growth, enhancing mobility, and increasing sustainability and resiliency. Powered by our people, we provide the imagination necessary to support our customers’ visions—and to help them see what's next! Salary Range: $125,100.00 - $225,200.00 We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as medical, dental, vision, paid time off, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), 401(k), life insurance, flexible work schedules, and holidays to fit your busy lifestyle! Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status. We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!Parsons is aware of fraudulent recruitment practices. To learn more about recruitment fraud and how to report it, please refer to https://www.parsons.com/fraudulent-recruitment/.
COMPETITIVE BENEFIT OFFERINGS
Financial Wellness
We care about your financial wellbeing. Parsons offers competitive pay and retirement plans to help you build wealth for the future while giving you the flexibility to diversify your investments.
Work Life Harmony
Balance in life is important and time away from the office is imperative to allow you to refresh and focus your attention on the things that matter to you. Parsons supports your time away by providing paid time off and paid flexible holidays.
Career Development
We are committed to fostering the personal and professional growth of our employees. Develop and advance yourself though our comprehensive training, educational and mentorship programs.
Veteran Support
We provide Industry leading benefits to support veterans and active-duty members to provide security for you and your family by offering robust leave and benefits; including paid active-duty military leave and paid time off when transitioning back to civilian life.
Mind & Body
At Parsons we inspire healthier habits, heathier minds, and a healthier you through our wellness program. Participate in our weekly Meditation Mondays and Wellness Wednesdays. Wellness, at Parsons, is more than just your annual checkup.
Health
Health is not a one size fits all. At Parsons, we offer a robust Employee Assistance Program as well as comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans through large, national carriers with the choice of regional PPO, HDHP, or HMO networks.
See All 30 Transportation Project Manager Jobs in California
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Find JobsTransportation Project Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Transportation Project Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Transportation & Logistics
- Artificial Intelligence
- Construction & Real Estate
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in transportation project manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, transportation planning, or a closely related field
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute
- Experience managing federally funded transportation or public infrastructure projects
- Familiarity with Caltrans project delivery procedures and California standard specifications
- Proficiency in project scheduling software such as Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for public agency stakeholder coordination
Transportation Project Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a transportation project manager in California?
The most direct path is earning a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, urban planning, or construction management, then gaining field experience on transportation or infrastructure projects. California does not require a state-issued project management license for the role, but a Professional Engineer (PE) license from the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists strengthens candidacy significantly, especially for Caltrans-funded work. A PMP certification is widely expected by both public agencies and private consultancies operating in the state.
How much do transportation project managers make in California?
Transportation project managers in California earn a median of about $123,780 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $71,260 for the lowest 10% to over $208,420 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire transportation project managers in California?
Employers hiring transportation project managers in California right now include BKF Engineers, DKS Associates, and GHD, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's large public agency presence means a significant share of openings come through transit authorities, regional transportation planning agencies, and major engineering consultancies contracted to deliver state infrastructure programs.
Which California cities have the most transportation project manager jobs?
The cities with the most transportation project manager openings in California are Irvine, Sacramento, and Walnut Creek. Los Angeles dominates due to Metro's ongoing rail and bus rapid transit expansions, while Sacramento concentrations reflect Caltrans headquarters and state agency contracting activity, and San Francisco draws demand from regional transit operators and major infrastructure consultancies headquartered in the Bay Area.
Are there remote transportation project manager jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Transportation project management is inherently tied to physical infrastructure sites, agency coordination meetings, and field oversight, which limits full remote arrangements. About 61% of transportation project manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate the planning, reporting, and stakeholder communication functions that can be handled off-site.
How can I get hired as a transportation project manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an assistant project manager or project controls coordinator role at a large California engineering consultancy such as AECOM, WSP, or Parsons, which regularly hire early-career candidates into structured project support positions. Lateral moves from roles such as transportation planner, construction inspector, or transit operations analyst are common stepping stones. Pursuing an Engineer-in-Training designation through the California Board for Professional Engineers builds credibility, and completing a PMP prep course while in an entry role signals a clear career direction to California hiring managers.
Where can I find and apply to transportation project manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to transportation project manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find the roles that fit your experience and apply directly.
See All 30 Transportation Project Manager Jobs in California
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