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Contractor Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Rosendin

As one of the largest EMPLOYEE-OWNED electrical contractors in the United States, you will have the ... The Systems Engineer is responsible to provide technical engineering information and assistance to ...

Rosendin

Electrical Engineer III

San Francisco, CA

As one of the largest EMPLOYEE-OWNED electrical contractors in the United States, you will have the ... The Engineer III is a senior engineering position responsible for providing technical engineering ...

Rosendin

$110K - $144K/yr

As one of the largest EMPLOYEE-OWNED electrical contractors in the United States, you will have the ... The Engineer III is a senior engineering position responsible for providing technical engineering ...

New

Prime Electric

Electrical Engineer II

San Jose, CA · On-site

$49 - $63/hr

Attend project design team meetings; interface with various team members, particularly the client, architect, and mechanical contractor/engineer * Research and resolve drawing interpretation problems ...

Prime Electric

Electrical Engineer II

San Jose, CA

$49 - $63/hr

Attend project design team meetings; interface with various team members, particularly the client, architect, and mechanical contractor/engineer * Research and resolve drawing interpretation problems ...

Prime Electric

Electrical Engineer II

San Jose, CA

$49 - $63/hr

Attend project design team meetings; interface with various team members, particularly the client, architect, and mechanical contractor/engineer * Research and resolve drawing interpretation problems ...

City of Laguna Beach

Assistant Engineer

Laguna Beach, CA · On-site

$99K - $139K/yr

Coordinate with consultants, contractors, developers, utility providers, regulatory agencies, and City departments to successfully deliver projects. Assist with construction management, contract ...

Prime Electric

Electrical Engineer Level 4

San Jose, CA · On-site

$144K - $184K/yr

Attend project design team meetings; interface with various team members, particularly the client, architect, and mechanical contractor/engineer * Research and resolve drawing interpretation problems ...

Prime Electric

Electrical Engineer Level 4

San Jose, CA

$144K - $184K/yr

Attend project design team meetings; interface with various team members, particularly the client, architect, and mechanical contractor/engineer * Research and resolve drawing interpretation problems ...

Prime Electric

Electrical Engineer Level 4

San Jose, CA · On-site

$144K - $184K/yr

Attend project design team meetings; interface with various team members, particularly the client, architect, and mechanical contractor/engineer * Research and resolve drawing interpretation problems ...

A2e Technologies

Sr. FPGA Engineer/Contractor

San Diego, CA · Hybrid

$138K - $177K/yr

Title: Sr. FPGA Engineer/Contractor Location: San Diego Term: Long Term Contract (Possible Perm) Duration: Long Term Start: Immediately * Seeking Client facing Sr. FPGA Engineer for Hybrid role.

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Contractor Engineer information

See California salary details

$9

$46

$86

How much do contractor engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for contractor engineer in California is $46.47, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35.34 and $60.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contractor engineer?

Contractor Engineers are professionals hired on a contract basis to provide engineering services for specific projects or timeframes, rather than as permanent employees. They can work in various industries, including construction, manufacturing, IT, and energy, performing tasks such as design, project management, and technical consulting. Contractor Engineers bring specialized skills to a project, often filling short-term gaps or handling peak workloads. Their contracts may vary in duration and scope, depending on the needs of the client or project.

What is the difference between Contractor Engineer vs Construction Manager?

AspectContractor EngineerConstruction Manager
CredentialsEngineering degree, relevant certificationsEngineering or construction management degree, certifications
Work EnvironmentOn-site project execution, technical oversightOn-site and office coordination, project planning
Employer & Industry UsageConstruction firms, engineering companiesConstruction firms, general contractors
Primary FocusTechnical engineering tasks, ensuring design complianceProject management, scheduling, budget control

Contractor Engineers focus on technical engineering aspects and on-site project execution, while Construction Managers oversee overall project planning, coordination, and management. Both roles are essential in construction projects but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are some common challenges contractor engineers face when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Contractor Engineers often juggle several projects at once, which can make time management and prioritization challenging. Coordinating with various stakeholders, such as clients, subcontractors, and suppliers, requires strong communication skills and the ability to quickly resolve conflicts or delays. Additionally, adapting to shifting project requirements and maintaining compliance with safety and regulatory standards can add to the complexity. Successful Contractor Engineers typically rely on detailed scheduling, clear documentation, and proactive problem-solving to keep projects on track.

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

To excel as a Contractor Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, project management, and relevant industry experience, often supported by a bachelor's degree in engineering and professional certification (e.g., PE license). Familiarity with CAD software, project management tools like MS Project, and compliance with safety and building codes is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, and the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams set outstanding Contractor Engineers apart. These competencies ensure projects are designed, executed, and delivered efficiently, safely, and within budget.

How much do contractor engineers make?

Contractor engineers typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. They often work on a project basis or hourly rates, with specialized skills and certifications influencing compensation.

What cities in California are hiring for Contractor Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Contractor Engineer job openings:

Contractor Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contractor Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,657 per year, or $46.5 per hour.

Exciting Opportunity for Vendor Security Contractor_ Sunnyvale, CA (Hybrid)

Noblesoft Technologies

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

Contractor

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Vendor Security Contractor/ Engineer

Location: Sunnyvale, CA (Hybrid)

Mode: Contract (6+ Months)

Role Overview

  • We are seeking a Vendor Security Contractor with strong experience in third-party / vendor risk management and network security to support our Information Risk Questionnaire (IRQ) process and secure vendor connectivity across Public Border Zone (Public BZ) and Third-Party Border Zone (3rd Party BZ) environments. The contractor will partner across Product, Application, Engineering, Procurement, Legal, and Business teams — translating security requirements into practical guidance and steering stakeholders toward solutions that meet business needs without compromising the organization's security posture.

Responsibilities / Skill Sets Required

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration — Partner with cross-functional teams to onboard third-party vendors and establish secure network access
  • Network Solution Guidance — Guide business teams toward optimal network solutions while clearly communicating processes, requirements, and expectations
  • Network Troubleshooting & Triage — Diagnose and resolve a wide range of network access issues with a structured, methodical approach
  • Provisioning Error Investigation — Identify and track provisioning errors, facilitating timely and effective resolutions
  • Vulnerability Assessment — Conduct vulnerability scans of supplier environments to ensure secure and compliant network connectivity
  • Contract & PO Administration — Manage the intake and administration of contracts and purchase order onboarding
  • Data Management — Log and maintain large datasets to support tracking purposes and ensure readiness for disaster recovery
  • Firewall Rule Implementation — Review and implement firewall rules (Palo Alto, Cisco ASA, Fortinet) based on vendor connectivity requests, enforcing least-privilege access

Tools & Platforms — Proficiency Preferred

  • Operating Environment: Mac user
  • Productivity & Collaboration: Excel, Quip, Wrike, WebEx, Slack, BOX
  • Analytics & Reporting: Tableau
  • Security & Access: Qualys, Access Manager Admin, Halo