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Chief Engineer Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

You will serve as the "right hand" to the vehicle Chief Engineer (CE), translating high-level program goals into actionable exec Vehicle, Manager, Staff, Technical, Supply Chain, Global Supply ...

Working under the direction of the Chief Engineer, Assistant Chief Engineer, or Operating Engineer, you'll perform a wide range of maintenance tasks including plumbing repairs, general upkeep ...

STATIONARY ENGINEER

Patton, CA · On-site

$6.09K - $7.71K/mo

This vacancy exists in the Facility Operations Department and is under the direction of the Chief Engineer II. Applicants must possess knowledge of principles, methods, materials, tools and equipment ...

My client is a leading civil engineering and land surveying firm in Southern California, is seeking an experienced Survey Crew Chief to join their growing team. Based in Orange, CA, they deliver ...

Sr. Staff Vehicle Line Manager

Irvine, CA · On-site

$196K - $245K/yr

You will serve as the "right hand" to the vehicle Chief Engineer (CE), translating high-level program goals into actionable execution plans. You are responsible for the cross-functional orchestration ...

You will serve as the "right hand" to the vehicle Chief Engineer (CE), translating high-level program goals into actionable execution plans. You are responsible for the cross-functional orchestration ...

You will serve as the "right hand" to the vehicle Chief Engineer (CE), translating high-level program goals into actionable execution plans. You are responsible for the cross-functional orchestration ...

UAS Crew Chief

Irvine, CA · On-site

$38 - $48/hr

UAS Crew Chief Location: This position will include off-site work to include CONUS Flight Test ... instructions, engineering changes, and FAA airworthiness directives. * Disassembles systems ...

UAS Crew Chief

Irvine, CA · On-site

$38 - $48/hr

UAS Crew Chief Location: This position will include off-site work to include CONUS Flight Test ... instructions, engineering changes, and FAA airworthiness directives. * Disassembles systems ...

Chief Building Official

Hemet, CA · On-site

$130.66K - $175.09K/yr

The Chief Building Official plans, oversees, and directs all activities of the building division ... Meets with architects, engineers, contractors, a variety of outside agencies, and the public to ...

Chief Building Official

Hemet, CA

$130.66K - $175.09K/yr

The Chief Building Official plans, oversees, and directs all activities of the building division ... Meets with architects, engineers, contractors, a variety of outside agencies, and the public to ...

Survey Party Chief

Orange, CA · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

Overview Kimley-Horn is seeking a Survey Party Chief to join the Orange office! This is not a ... Coordinate with project managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to plan and execute survey ...

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Chief Engineer information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$33.9K

$97K

$188.8K

How much do chief engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief engineer in Riverside, CA is $96,967.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,600.00 and $125,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Is a Chief Engineer?

Chief engineer is a job title that has a range of meanings across different industries. A chief engineer is the head of the engineering department in an organization. The duties and responsibilities of this role vary in different industries. In general, a chief engineer must have engineering experience in the industry, strong leadership qualities and problem-solving skills. Depending on the industry, the education requirements for a chief engineer job range from an associate degree to advanced degrees in engineering.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Chief Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chief Engineer, you need advanced engineering expertise, leadership experience, and a relevant degree such as a bachelor's or master's in engineering. Familiarity with project management tools, CAD software, and relevant certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) licensure are typically required. Outstanding problem-solving, communication, and team management skills help drive innovation and ensure smooth coordination across engineering teams. These skills and qualifications are crucial for overseeing complex projects, maintaining high technical standards, and achieving organizational goals.

What are some common challenges Chief Engineers face when managing multidisciplinary engineering teams?

Chief Engineers often oversee teams that include specialists from various engineering disciplines, which can present challenges in aligning different technical perspectives and ensuring effective communication. Balancing project deadlines, resource allocation, and maintaining quality standards while navigating these differences is a frequent part of the role. Successful Chief Engineers foster strong collaboration, facilitate knowledge sharing, and implement standardized processes to address these challenges. They also play a key role in mentoring junior engineers and promoting professional development within the team.

What does a Chief Engineer do?

A Chief Engineer is responsible for overseeing the engineering operations of an organization or project. They lead engineering teams, manage technical projects, and ensure that systems and infrastructure are maintained and improved according to industry standards. Chief Engineers also develop policies, coordinate with other departments, and solve complex technical problems to support the organization's goals. Their role often involves budgeting, staff management, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.

What is the difference between Chief Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectChief EngineerMechanical Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, professional engineering license, leadership experienceEngineering degree, possibly licensure, technical skills
Work EnvironmentProject management, overseeing teams, strategic planningDesign, analysis, testing, and development of mechanical systems
Industry UsageConstruction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, aerospaceManufacturing, automotive, HVAC, robotics
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between a Chief Engineer and a Mechanical Engineer lies in their responsibilities and seniority. The Chief Engineer typically oversees projects, manages teams, and ensures technical standards at a strategic level, often requiring leadership experience and licensure. Mechanical Engineers focus on designing, analyzing, and developing mechanical systems, working on technical tasks without the managerial responsibilities of a Chief Engineer. Both roles are vital in engineering industries, but the Chief Engineer holds a higher-level, supervisory position.

What are the most commonly searched types of Chief Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA? The most popular types of Chief Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Chief Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA? For Chief Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Chief Engineer jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Chief Engineer job openings:
Sr. Staff Vehicle Line Manager

Sr. Staff Vehicle Line Manager

Rivian

Irvine, CA

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago


Rivian rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 153 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 44 rated automakers


Job description

The Sr. Staff VLM is the primary execution lead for a specific vehicle zone (Underbody & Tech or Upper Body & Functions). You will serve as the "right hand" to the vehicle Chief Engineer (CE), translating high-level program goals into actionable exec Vehicle, Manager, Staff, Technical, Supply Chain, Global Supply, Technology


What Rivian employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Rivian logo

About Rivian

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Rivian is a pioneering automotive industry player headquartered in Irvine, California. Established in 2009, the company has made notable advancements in developing sustainable transportation solutions. It is widely recognized for its electric adventure vehicles: the R1T pickup and the R1S SUV. Rivian is dedicated to creating a positive shift in societal mobility and emphasizes sustainability, innovation, and adventure as part of its core values. Their mission is to keep the world adventurous forever - a testament to their commitment in transitioning the world to sustainable transportation. Rivian's achievements are numerous, with one of the most notable being securing a significant multi-billion dollar investment from Amazon for the production of electric delivery vans.

Industry

Automobile dealers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Irvine, CA, US

Year founded

2009