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Contract Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Valero

Superintendent Design Engineering

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$100K - $138K/yr

Ensures Contract Engineering /Design Drafting Requests are completed and approved prior to initiating work and maintains tracking log. * Ensures design compliance with company's PSM program, (Shell ...

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Contract Engineering information

What is contract engineering?

Contract engineering refers to the practice of hiring engineers on a temporary or project-specific basis, rather than as permanent employees. Contract engineers work for a set period or until a particular project is completed, often through staffing agencies or as independent contractors. This arrangement allows companies to access specialized skills and expertise as needed while providing engineers with flexibility and exposure to diverse projects. Contract engineers typically handle tasks such as design, development, testing, and project management across various industries.

How does a contract engineer typically balance multiple projects and ensure timely delivery of each contract?

Contract Engineers often manage several projects simultaneously, requiring strong organizational and time-management skills. They regularly coordinate with clients, suppliers, and internal teams to track progress, address issues early, and adjust timelines as needed. Utilizing project management tools and maintaining clear documentation helps them prioritize tasks and deliverables effectively. Open communication and proactive problem-solving are key strategies to meet contract milestones and client expectations.

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

To thrive as a Contract Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering principles, contract management, and project coordination, often supported by a relevant engineering degree and experience in contract administration. Familiarity with contract management software, project management tools (such as MS Project or Primavera), and industry regulations is essential. Strong negotiation, communication, and attention to detail are vital soft skills for effectively managing client and vendor relationships. These skills ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with contractual and technical requirements.

Do contract engineers make more money?

Contract engineers often earn higher hourly rates than full-time employees due to the temporary nature of their work and the need for specialized skills. However, they may have less job security and benefits, and total annual income can vary based on project availability and experience. Factors such as industry, location, and certifications also influence earning potential for contract engineers.

What does a contract engineer do?

A contract engineer is responsible for managing engineering projects on a temporary basis, often focusing on specific tasks such as design, testing, or implementation. They typically work with project teams, adhere to deadlines, and may require knowledge of engineering software and industry standards. Their role involves ensuring project requirements are met efficiently within the contract terms.

What are the most commonly searched types of Engineering jobs in California?

The most popular types of Engineering jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Contract Engineering jobs in California?

For Contract Engineering jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Contract Engineering jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Engineering jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Contract Engineering jobs?

Cities in California with the most Contract Engineering job openings:

Contract Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Engineering job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution.

Director of Pre-Contract Engineering

CENTRICA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS US INC

Orange, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job description

Are you a visionary that embraces change? Have you successfully inspired, motivated, and guided others toward a common goal? Do you want a direct impact on customer happiness? If so, we want you to join our team!  

Director of Pre-Contract Engineering (Pre-Contract Support)
This role leads a centralized team responsible for providing technical, commercial, and engineering support during the sales process for energy and infrastructure solutions. Reporting to the VP of Sales and Development, the Director partners closely with Sales to qualify opportunities, develop solution concepts, and ensure accurate, risk-aware pricing and proposals.

The position is a key enabler of sales execution, ensuring opportunities are properly vetted, aligned with delivery platforms, and structured for successful handoff to execution teams. Responsibilities include overseeing pre-contract processes and tools, managing opportunity intake and stage-gate discipline, and delivering high-quality technical and financial inputs such as conceptual designs, cost estimates, and techno-economic models.

The Director also leads and develops a multidisciplinary team, collaborates with internal delivery groups (CES and SLS), and manages external engineering and technical partners to extend capacity and expertise. Success in this role requires balancing speed, technical rigor, and commercial pragmatism to support scalable, consistent, and predictable sales outcomes.

The core components of success (i.e must haves) :  

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
  • At least 10 years of experience in an Energy or Mechanical Engineering role
  • Experience working on energy efficiency construction projects including energy performance contracting

The following are a definite plus, so if you’ve got any of these be sure to tell us! 

  • Experience successfully managing a team, preferably an engineering team
  • Experience with Utility Sponsored Energy-Efficiency Rebates
  • Experience developing energy modeling spreadsheets in Excel
  • Experience with a broad range of project markets, including commercial, industrial, municipal, school, university, healthcare, and federal.  

The travel required for this position is approximately 25% of the time and will be mostly regional. 

What we do: 

Digitalization and climate change mean organizations need to be more energy efficient and resilient to limit their impact on the environment while maintaining control of their energy spend. 

At Centrica Business Solutions, we deliver integrated energy solutions that balance profitability and sustainability.  

By bringing together the right combination of technologies and approaches, we help organizations get the most value from their energy and energy infrastructure, helping them solve their energy challenges and harness new opportunities in a changing world. As an Energy Service Company (ESCO), our broad portfolio includes:  

  • Energy Efficiency Solutions
  • Solar and Energy Storage
  • Demand Response and Energy Load Management

Our benefits and perks: 

At Centrica Business Solutions, we ensure you are supported and valued. To help do this, we offer a competitive compensation and benefits package. Some of our benefits & perks include: 

  • Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
  • HSA, with company match
  • FSA/DCA
  • Paid Time Off
  • 401(k), with company match
  • Life Insurance
  • Accident Insurance
  • Employee Wellness Program
  • Fitness Reward Program
  • Employee Training and Development Opportunities
  • Casual attire with professional and fun work environments
  • Flexible/hybrid work opportunities
  • Fungineering (We Engineer the Fun!)

Centrica Business Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer and as such, does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices