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Contractor Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

City of Chico

Associate Engineer

Chico, CA

$102K - $137K/yr

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

City of Pismo Beach, CA

Engineering Technician

CA · On-site

$68K - $83K/yr

In this role, you'll work directly with residents, contractors, and developers, answering questions, resolving issues, and helping move projects from concept to completion. You'll review plans for ...

Luster National

Civil Engineer I / II

Wasco, CA

$41 - $55/hr

Coordinate with contractors, inspectors, project teams, and stakeholders to facilitate construction ... Support construction engineering, inspection, and quality assurance activities. * Participate in ...

Luster National

Civil Engineer I / II

Wasco, CA · On-site

$41 - $55/hr

Coordinate with contractors, inspectors, project teams, and stakeholders to facilitate construction ... Support construction engineering, inspection, and quality assurance activities. * Participate in ...

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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 Jul 4, 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 are Contractor Engineers?

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.
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 June 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,657 per year, or $46.5 per hour.
Senior Systems Engineer

Senior Systems Engineer

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc.

El Segundo, CA • On-site

$180K - $220K/yr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Overview
Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) is seeking a Sr Systems Engineer with deep expertise in classified space control systems engineering processes, including requirements development, configuration management, and government Deficiency Review (DR) board execution. This position supports a U.S. Space Force (USSF) program office responsible for developing, integrating, testing, and transitioning advanced space control capabilities across space, ground, and command-and-control (C2) mission areas. Work will be performed in secure government environments supporting highly sensitive and mission-responsive programs.
Responsibilities
As a Sr Systems Engineer, you will provide senior-level technical support across requirements development, system engineering planning, technical baseline management, and formal ACAT-like review processes. You will assist the government in evaluating engineering products, coordinating technical documentation, managing deficiency resolution, and ensuring consistent application of systems engineering standards across the program lifecycle. You will routinely interface with multi-disciplinary engineering, acquisition, test, operations, and security teams to ensure integrated and technically sound program execution.
Roles and Responsibilities
  • Serve as a technical expert in classified space control systems engineering, including requirements development, allocation, and traceability.
  • Lead the establishment and execution of government Deficiency Review (DR) boards, including triage, tracking, resolution planning, and formal disposition activities.
  • Support and coordinate configuration control activities to maintain an accurate and authoritative technical baseline.
  • Organize and lead ACAT-like technical design reviews and audits (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR), ensuring readiness, risk transparency, and technical alignment.
  • Develop, update, and coordinate ACAT-like systems engineering documentation, including specifications, plans, ICDs, and review materials.
  • Evaluate industry contractor engineering artifacts and provide recommendations regarding compliance, risks, and technical adequacy.
  • Support system architecture assessments, interface development, verification planning, and integration coordination across space, ground, and C2 segments.
  • Identify key technical risks and provide evidence-based recommendations to senior government leadership.
  • Prepare and deliver technical briefings, status updates, risk analyses, and decision-support materials.
  • Represent the program office in technical interchange meetings, engineering working groups, contractor reviews, and cross-organizational forums.

Qualifications
  • Highly knowledgeable in classified space control systems engineering processes, including requirements development, configuration control, and DR board management.
  • Demonstrated ability to organize and lead ACAT-like technical design reviews and audits.
  • Proven experience developing, updating, and coordinating ACAT-like engineering and program documentation.
  • Experience evaluating contractor engineering products and systems engineering artifacts in SAPF/SCIF environments.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, capable of preparing and presenting complex technical information to senior decision-makers.

Desired Requirements
  • Experience supporting ACAT I/II or highly classified special access programs.
  • Familiarity with DoD systems engineering standards, milestone reviews, and technical baseline management processes.
  • Experience with requirements management tools, configuration management systems, or architecture development methodologies.

Education Requirements
  • MA/MS degree required.
  • Tradeoff: A Bachelor's degree is acceptable with 12+ years of relevant experience in similar programs or positions.
  • The Materiel Leader may waive the MA/MS requirement based on experience and mission needs.
  • Degree should be in engineering, physics, computer science, or a related technical field from an accredited institution.

Clearance Requirements
  • Active TOP SECRET clearance with SCI eligibility required.
  • Must be willing to work in SAP environments as needed.
  • Must maintain TS/SCI eligibility and be willing to undergo a Counterintelligence polygraph.
  • U.S. Citizenship is required.

Location/Travel Requirements
  • Full-time on-site support within secure government facilities (SAPF/SCIF).
  • Approximately 15-20% CONUS travel, with potential for limited OCONUS travel depending on mission needs.

For additional company information, please visit: www.mtsi-va.com
The pay range for this position in California is $180,000/year to $220,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on established government contract wages, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, and other factors. MTSI also offers a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Base pay information is based on market location. Applicants should apply via MTSI's internal or external careers site.
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