1

Civil Engineer Land Development Jobs in California

next page

Showing results 1-20

Civil Engineer Land Development information

See California salary details

$42.4K

$97.3K

$141.1K

How much do civil engineer land development jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for civil engineer land development in California is $97,287.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,000.00 and $111,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Civil Engineer in Land Development do?

A Civil Engineer in Land Development is responsible for planning, designing, and managing the construction of infrastructure and site improvements for residential, commercial, and industrial projects. Their work includes preparing site plans, grading, drainage, roadways, and utility layouts while ensuring compliance with local regulations and environmental standards. They often collaborate with architects, surveyors, and local agencies to obtain necessary permits and approvals. The role requires strong technical, analytical, and communication skills to successfully guide a project from concept through construction.

What are some typical challenges faced by Civil Engineers in land development projects?

Civil Engineers working in land development often encounter challenges such as balancing project budgets with client expectations, navigating complex permitting processes, and coordinating with multiple stakeholders including architects, surveyors, and local government agencies. Managing tight project timelines while ensuring compliance with environmental and zoning regulations is also a common hurdle. Success in this role often comes from strong project management skills, effective communication, and adaptability to changing project requirements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Civil Engineer in Land Development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Civil Engineer in Land Development, you need a solid background in civil engineering principles, site design, grading, and stormwater management, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and EIT or PE certification. Proficiency in technical tools like AutoCAD Civil 3D, GIS software, and hydrology modeling systems is essential. Strong project management, problem-solving, and communication skills help you collaborate effectively with clients, agencies, and multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualifications are crucial to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant development projects from concept through construction.

What Does a Land Development Civil Engineer Do?

A land development civil engineer helps plan residential, commercial, industrial, or mixed-use developments. In this role, you determine the feasibility of a development project and assess the land to ensure that it can support the planned development. Once the possibility is established, you design the infrastructure, including streets, utilities, waste management, drainage, and other systems by creating drawings or using modeling software to visualize your plans. You also coordinate with other architects and engineers involved in the project. A civil engineer must ensure that infrastructure plans meet zoning requirements and do not conflict with other municipal regulations.

What is the difference between Civil Engineer Land Development vs Civil Engineer Transportation?

AspectCivil Engineer Land DevelopmentCivil Engineer Transportation
CredentialsBS in Civil Engineering, PE license often requiredBS in Civil Engineering, PE license often required
Work EnvironmentDesigning and planning land projects, working with developersDesigning transportation systems, working with public agencies
Industry UsageReal estate development, municipal planningPublic transit, highway agencies, urban planning

Both roles require similar credentials and licenses, but Civil Engineer Land Development focuses on site planning and land use, while Civil Engineer Transportation specializes in transportation infrastructure. Their work environments and industry applications differ, aligning with their specific project types.

What are popular job titles related to Civil Engineer Land Development jobs in California? For Civil Engineer Land Development jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Civil Engineer Land Development jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Civil Engineer Land Development jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Civil Engineer Land Development jobs? Cities in California with the most Civil Engineer Land Development job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Civil Engineer Land Development jobs in CA? For Civil Engineer Land Development jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Civil Engineer Land Development job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $97,287 per year, or $46.8 per hour.

Principal Civil Engineer- Land Development

City of Glendora

Glendora, CA โ€ข On-site

$119K - $145K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago


Job description

** THIS RECRUITMENT WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL THE POSITION IS FILLED. THE FIRST REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 16, 2026.** The City of Glendora has an opening for a newly created Principal Civil Engineer-Land Development to oversee the day-to-day activities of the Engineering Land Development Division. This division, of the Community Development Department, is responsible for processing and development projects including parcel and tract maps, infill housing development applications, infill commercial development, hillside development, and related permits, such as public improvements and grading

The ideal candidate will be technical, computer savvy, have experience with Geographical Information Systems (GIS), AutoCad, and Microsoft Suites. We are seeking a team player with professionalism who is comfortable presenting reports to City Council, Commissions, and Committees as well as developing staff. If this new role with the City of Glendora sounds like an exciting opportunity in your career, we invite your application.

Under administrative direction, plans, directs and coordinates engineering activities relating to development applications and related permits, City public works engineering projects, and performs related duties as required. Some of the typical duties of the Principal Civil Engineer-Land Development include but are not limited to, the following: Supervises and participates in a variety of professional and subprofessional engineering work including the preparation of plans and project specifications; directs and/or coordinates project inspections; may draft ordinances according to general instruction. Supervises and participates in the review of plans; evaluates compliance with laws, ordinances and acceptable engineering standards, and recommends corrections or improvements; reviews legal descriptions and deeds for easements and rights-of-way.

Works with City departments and division staff to identify and prioritize needs; formulates cost estimates and develops implementation strategies. Reviews and recommends approval of plans and specifications, designs, cost estimates, environmental documents, reports, and studies for all land development related projects. Continually monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, support system and internal reporting; identifies opportunities for improvement and reviews with the Community Development Director and City Engineer.

Prepares and evaluates requests for proposals; reviews plans of consulting/engineering firms performing work for the City and evaluates their performance. Provides technical assistance to other divisions and departments and City personnel. Manages and participates in the development of the Land Development Division budget; participates on a variety of boards and commissions; attends and participates in professional group meetings; attends and makes presentations to City Council, boards, committees and commissions.

Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive inquiries and complaints; recommends and implements corrective action; responds to public inquiries and complaints. Supervises the compilation and analyzing of statistical data used to prepare technical reports relating to land development projects and programs. Supervises land development staff; participates in the screening and selection of division staff; trains and evaluates employees; initiates and carries out appropriate disciplinary actions.

Reviews traffic engineering reports. Supervises and prepares reports required by federal, State and County agencies; supervises, selects, and assists in the preparation of grant applications. Coordinates land development projects with other City departments and divisions and outside agencies.

Supervises and participates in the selection of professional consultants to assist with the design and/or construction inspection of selected projects. Reviews plans and designs, and/or inspect all phases of civil engineering land development construction projects; perform inspections or projects in the field as well as examination of plans and specifications in the field or office. Confers with applicants and contractors regarding land development projects.

Reviews and processes plans for land development projects to ensure compliance with established contracts, City codes, and other applicable requirements; determine and enforce applicable codes, regulations, and requirements for assigned projects. Reviews and processes plans for subdivisions, lot line adjustments, lot mergers, and certificates of compliance; review and interpret easements. Coordinate and provide oversight for geotechnical review processes.

Coordinate the City's floodplain management efforts; review land development projects and specifications to ensure compliance with the City's floodplain management standards; review and recommend changes to floodplain management standards as needed. Create and modify maps and engineering drawings using AutoCAD and ArcView GIS systems. Oversee the activity of professional design and engineering consultants.

Provide customer service and general assistance to land developers, architects, engineers, third party consultants, property owners, and the general public related to land development projects; answer questions about City construction projects, permit issuance procedures, and land development activities. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned. For a complete job description, click here.

Education and/or Experience Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible, diversified experience in difficult and complex public works engineering. Experience working in municipal/public agency is highly desirable.

Education: A Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field of study. Special Requirements: Possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer (P.E.) issued by the California State Board of Registration for Civil and Professional Engineers. Possession of, or ability to obtain within a probationary period, a Class C California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record

Knowledge and Skill: Knowledge of Civil engineering principles, techniques, policies, and procedures Methods, materials, and techniques used in the construction of land development projects. Basic principles, practices, procedures, and standards related to City planning, engineering infrastructure development and maintenance, and surveying. Basic principles and practices of engineering program budgeting, cost estimation, funding, project management, and contract administration.

General design, layout, and construction practices for public improvements such as streets, storm drains, grading, and landscaping. Land development and subdivision procedures, plan review, mapping, and construction practices; Principles, practices, and techniques of floodplain management. Techniques, procedures, and equipment used for geotechnical review processes.

Bidding requirements for civil engineering projects. Project management and contract administration principles and techniques Engineering plan types, review practices, and permit filing and approval procedures; Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility Modern office practices and technology, including personal computer hardware and software applications related to the work, such as computer-aided drafting (CAD) concepts and applications and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) programs. Modern developments, current literature, and sources of information regarding engineering; Principles of advanced mathematics and their application to engineering work.

Practices of researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports. Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation; English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, educational, and regulatory organizations, and with property owners, developers, contractors, and the public.

Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff. PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting, subject to noise from office equipment operation; frequent interruptions and contact in person and on the telephone with the public, coworkers and others. Duties are typically performed at a desk or computer terminal, with some travel to different sites, and exposure to noise, dust, vehicle traffic, inclement weather conditions and construction environment and equipment.

At least minimal environmental controls are in place to assure health and comfort. PHYSICAL DEMANDS Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach and twist; to lift, carry, push and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information. Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction. ** THIS RECRUITMENT WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL THE POSITION IS FILLED. THE FIRST REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 16, 2026.**