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Contract Principal Traffic Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Principal Traffic Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$62.50 - $79.25/hr

As an Principal Traffic Engineer in San Diego, CA, you will have an opportunity to work with a ... contracts, fee proposals, and scopes of work; and experience in client and public-agency ...

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Contract Principal Traffic Engineer information

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$74K

$147.2K

$212.5K

How much do contract principal traffic engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract principal traffic engineer in the United States is $147,220.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Contract Principal Traffic Engineer vs Contract Traffic Engineer?

AspectContract Principal Traffic EngineerContract Traffic Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a Professional Engineer (PE) license, relevant traffic engineering certifications, and extensive experienceUsually requires a PE license or engineering degree with less experience needed
Work EnvironmentLeads complex projects, manages teams, and collaborates with stakeholdersPerforms specific traffic analysis and design tasks under supervision
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by consulting firms, government agencies for senior rolesCommonly employed for project-based or temporary traffic engineering roles

The Contract Principal Traffic Engineer typically holds a senior position with leadership responsibilities, requiring advanced credentials and extensive experience. In contrast, the Contract Traffic Engineer focuses on executing specific tasks within traffic projects, often with less experience. Both roles are essential in traffic engineering projects but differ mainly in scope, responsibility, and seniority.

What cities are hiring for Contract Principal Traffic Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Contract Principal Traffic Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Principal Traffic Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Principal Traffic Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Principal Traffic Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Principal Traffic Engineer jobs include:
Contract Principal Traffic Engineer jobs near you

Principal Traffic Engineer

Best Infosystems LLC

San Diego, CA

$130K - $165K/yr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Principal Traffic Engineer_San Diego, CA_Full-Time(FTE)_Direct Hire

Hi,
Trust this finds you well!
We've spotted your impressive profile and have an exciting opportunity tailored to your skills and passions.

Position Title: Principal Traffic Engineer
Job Type: Full-Time
Location: San Diego, CA
Base Salary: $130,000 to $165,000 + Best-in-class benefits
Industry: Manufacturing & Production
Job Category: Engineering

Job Description: 
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead and manage traffic engineering design teams and transportation projects.
* Provide technical leadership for traffic engineering and planning initiatives.
* Manage project schedules, budgets, scopes of work, and deliverables.
* Prepare and review contracts, fee proposals, and project scopes.
* Coordinate directly with clients, public agencies, and internal stakeholders.
* Supervise traffic designers, planners, CAD drafters, and technical staff.
* Develop and maintain strong client relationships.
* Provide guidance and mentorship to engineering team members.
* Support business development activities and project pursuits.
* Ensure projects meet technical standards, quality expectations, and regulatory requirements.

Required Qualifications:
* Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering (BSCE) required.
* Active California Professional Engineer (PE) Registration in Civil or Traffic Engineering required.
* Minimum 7 years of experience in traffic engineering/planning or equivalent 12 years of industry experience.
* Minimum 5 years of management experience supervising traffic engineering teams.
* Strong leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
* Ability to independently manage complex engineering projects.

Experience building relationships with:
* Clients
* Public agency representatives
* Internal project teams
* Recent Southern California experience required, preferably within the San Diego County region.

Management Experience Required:
The ideal candidate will have experience with:
* Managing traffic engineering design teams.
* Supervising traffic designers, planners, CAD drafters, and technicians.
* Managing project schedules, budgets, and resources.
* Preparing contracts, fee proposals, and scopes of work.
* Leading client communications and public agency coordination.
* Overseeing project deliverables and quality standards.

Technical Experience Required
Candidates should have experience with:
* Municipal traffic engineering services.
* In-house traffic engineering support for public agencies.
* Traffic engineering plans.
* Traffic signal plans.
* Traffic control plans.
* Signing and striping plans.
* Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA).
* Traffic studies and engineering reports.
* Transportation planning and design projects.

Software & Technical Knowledge
Experience with:
* HCS
* Vistro
* Synchro
* Other traffic engineering software platforms

Knowledge of:
* California Vehicle Code (CVC)
* Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
* Highway Capacity Manual (HCM)

Preferred Qualifications:
* Experience managing large-scale transportation projects.
* Transit planning and design experience.
* Strong understanding of traffic engineering principles and transportation planning.
* Experience working directly with government agencies and municipalities.
* Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.

Benefits Offered:
* Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
* Profit Sharing
* 401(k) Plan
* Life and Disability Insurance
* Personal Leave
* Alternative Work Schedule
* Holiday Parties
* Team Building Activities and Events

Ideal Candidate Background
Candidates with experience as:
* Principal Traffic Engineer
* Senior Traffic Engineer
* Traffic Engineering Manager
* Transportation Engineering Manager
* Traffic Project Manager
* Transportation Project Manager

Compensation:
Full-time
Benefits - Full
Relocation Assistance Available - Possible for ideal candidate

Candidate Details:
Seniority Level - Mid-Senior
Minimum Education - Bachelor's Degree
Willingness to Travel - Occasionally
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