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Contractor Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

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Field Engineer - Utilities

San Ramon, CA · On-site

This role is highly hands-on and field-focused , working closely with Construction Managers, Project Managers, contractors, engineering teams, and permitting authorities to ensure projects are fully ...

Trueseek

Renewable Energy Sales Engineer

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$90K - $125K/yr

You will work directly with contractors, developers, EPCs, and end users to design and deliver complex energy solutions tied to grid stability, backup power, and renewable integration. This is not a ...

RIMEPRO INC

Mechanical Project Engineer

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Anaheim, CA A growing mechanical contractor is seeking a Project Engineer to support commercial mechanical construction projects throughout Southern California. This is an opportunity to join a team ...

RimePro Inc

Mechanical Project Engineer

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$80K - $109K/yr

Anaheim, CA A growing mechanical contractor is seeking a Project Engineer to support commercial mechanical construction projects throughout Southern California. This is an opportunity to join a team ...

City of Chico

Senior Development Engineer

Chico, CA

$130K - $174K/yr

Meets and confers with contractors, engineers, developers, architects, a variety of outside agencies, and the general public in acquiring information and coordinating engineering matters; provides ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsContractor Engineer JobsContractor Engineer Jobs in California

Contractor Engineer information

See California salary details

$9

$46

$86

How much do contractor engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 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 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.

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 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 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 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,657 per year, or $46.5 per hour.

Electrical Engineer Level 4

Prime Electric

San Jose, CA • On-site

$144K - $184K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Who We Are
At PRIME, a culture of empathy, trust, and belonging are foundational. This is integral in our approach to recruiting, developing, and retaining the best people in the industry. Our growth mindset drives us to embrace challenges and discover what sparks inspiration for creative solutions. PRIME is compelled to keep evolving, and creating new opportunities for those who perform. Our comprehensive services cover the entire lifecycle of a project, capabilities include electrical construction, service and maintenance, underground, utilities services, renewable energy, and low voltage technology solutions.
Recognized as one of Silicon Valley's Best Places to Work!
About The Role
Under minimal supervision, provide technical design, consultation, information, and assistance to internal and external customers to ensure that projects comply with all engineering standards. This role will lead major projects working with and supervising more junior engineers. Work will be completed in concert with the stated project requirements, all current codes, as well as Prime Electric Engineering Standards. The engineer will be responsible for designing, developing, and producing permits and construction documents for electrical systems.
What You Will Do
  • Power distribution design including planning and implementing the electrical power delivery system from the utility service to the various loads within a building or facility
  • Signal design planning and implementation of systems that transmit data, control signals, alarms and communications within a facility
  • Lighting design focusing on the selection, placement and control of lighting fixtures to achieve the desired illumination for functional and aesthetic purposes
  • Single Line Diagrams providing a graphical representation of an electrical power system with a facility
  • Panel and Equipment schedules details and listing electrical circuits connected to specific distribution equipment
  • Title 24 Energy Documentation to company with applicable State Energy Efficiency Standards
  • Visit job sites to conduct field investigations
  • Perform voltage drop, load, and demand calculations
  • Coordinate with other construction trades and disciplines as needed
  • Back check of own work for accuracy and completeness before submission to others
  • Perform coordination between architectural, structural, mechanical, plumbing, process and all electrical trades
  • Coordinate work with the project specifications or equipment buy-out
  • Review electrical equipment submittals such as lighting, gear, generator, UPS, etc. during the construction phase of projects
  • Conduct performance power studies including fault, coordination and arc flash
  • Attend project design team meetings; interface with various team members, particularly the client, architect, and mechanical contractor/engineer
  • Research and resolve drawing interpretation problems, conflicts, interferences, and errors
  • Document and archive work pursuant to Prime Electric standards
  • Adhere to the PRIME Safety Program, complying with safety regulations, procedures and safe work practices.
  • Maintain a physical presence onsite and provide assistance to specific groups, managers and project management teams as needed.
  • Performs other duties as requested; duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

What You Will Need to be Successful
  • Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering, and 7 to 10 years' experience in electrical systems design; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Professional Engineer Licensure (PE) required
  • Proficient in MS Word & Excel
  • Experience with Autodesk AutoCAD, Revit & Navis Manage
  • Expert knowledge of the NEC as well as building codes and ordinances
  • Expert knowledge and experience with power and lighting design
  • Broad knowledge of sustainable design and LEED Documentation

$144,000 - $184,000 a year
Our Benefits
-100% coverage for Medical, Dental, and Vision, including dependents, with no premium cost to the employee
-401k Program w/ Direct Benefit
-100% Employer-paid Life Insurance
-Profit Sharing and Discretionary Bonus Program
-Education/ Training Reimbursement Benefit
-Paid Time off and Holiday Time Off
*PRIME Electric does not engage with or utilize recruiting or placement agencies for any recruiting or hiring needs. PRIME hiring managers are not authorized to review or accept resume referrals from any agencies.
This employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Candidate Privacy Policy
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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