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Contractor Engineer Jobs in Irvine, CA (NOW HIRING)

Assistant Engineer

Laguna Beach, CA ยท On-site

$99K - $139K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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

Assistant Engineer

Laguna Beach, CA ยท On-site

$99K - $139K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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

Field Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA

$55K - $85K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Carollo Engineers is an internationally recognized environmental engineering firm that specializes ... Review contractor submittals of startup and commissioning field results and documentation

Field Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA ยท On-site

$55K - $85K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Overview Carollo Engineers is an internationally recognized environmental engineering firm that ... Review contractor submittals of startup and commissioning field results and documentation

Field Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA

$55K - $85K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Overview Carollo Engineers is an internationally recognized environmental engineering firm that ... Review contractor submittals of startup and commissioning field results and documentation

Mechanical Project Engineer

Anaheim, CA ยท 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 ...

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Civil/Public Works Engineer (Full-time)

Placentia, CA ยท On-site

$45 - $125/hr

  • Retirement

Civil/Public Works Engineer LAE Associates, Inc. is a provider of professional Municipal Public ... contractors, and agency stakeholders. The ideal candidate should have at least 12 years of ...

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Civil/Public Works Engineer (Full-time)

Placentia, CA ยท On-site

$45 - $125/hr

  • Retirement

Civil/Public Works Engineer LAE Associates, Inc. is a provider of professional Municipal Public ... contractors, and agency stakeholders. The ideal candidate should have at least 12 years of ...

Validation Engineer I - CONTRACTOR

Aliso Viejo, CA ยท On-site

$57K - $77K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Validation Engineer - CONTRACTOR The Validation Engineer is responsible for validating products for infotainment projects, such as telematics and radio. This role involves working with cross ...

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Showing results 1-20

Contractor Engineer information

See Irvine, CA salary details

$10

$50

$94

How much do contractor engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for contractor engineer in Irvine, CA is $50.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38.46 and $65.29 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 near Irvine, CA are hiring for Contractor Engineer jobs?

Cities near Irvine, CA with the most Contractor Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Contractor Engineer job openings in Irvine, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,128 per year, or $50.5 per hour.

Assistant Engineer

City of Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach, CA โ€ข On-site

$99K - $139K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Description The City of Laguna Beach is seeking two Assistant Engineers to join its Public Works team. In this role, you'll support the planning, design, construction, and delivery of a diverse portfolio of public works and capital improvement projects while collaborating with colleagues, consultants, contractors, developers, and the community to enhance the City's infrastructure and public spaces. Reports to/Supervises: Reports to the Assistant City Engineer or assigned supervisory staff.

Apply now to be part of the first review. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis, with the next review on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. What You'll Do Support the planning, design, and delivery of public works and capital improvement projects from concept through construction.

Review engineering plans, development applications, permits, and technical documents to ensure compliance with City standards, codes, and regulations. Prepare engineering reports, cost estimates, specifications, bid documents, grant applications, and project schedules. Coordinate with consultants, contractors, developers, utility providers, regulatory agencies, and City departments to successfully deliver projects.

Assist with construction management, contract administration, field inspections, and resolution of engineering and infrastructure issues. Perform engineering analyses and apply sound technical judgment to support infrastructure improvements and development projects. Provide responsive customer service by addressing inquiries from residents, contractors, developers, and other stakeholders.

Utilize engineering software and present technical information to staff, commissions, and the public as needed. Examples of Duties The normal duties for the positions can be found in the job descriptions Assistant Engineer. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.

Other duties may be required and assigned. Qualifications Any combination demonstrating the ability to effectively and successfully perform the duties of the position is considered qualifying. A typical combination is as follows: Education: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering or a related engineering field.

Familiarity with AutoCAD, ArcGIS, BlueBeam (Revu) and related engineering software applications is desirable. Experience: Some professional engineering experience is desirable, preferably involving public works, municipal engineering, land development, transportation, or capital improvement projects. License/Certificate Requirements: Due to the performance of some field duties, which may require operation of a personal or City vehicle, a valid California Driver's License and an acceptable driving record are required.

Possession of an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certificate issued by the State of California is highly desirable. Additional certifications related to assigned areas may be required. Supplemental Information This recruitment will establish an eligibility list that may be used to fill future vacancies in the same or lower classifications.

Application/Selection Process: Applications will be screened carefully, and selected applicants will be invited to participate in the Structured Panel Interview. The appointing hiring authority will further review the job-related qualifications of those deemed eligible for hire before making selection decisions. The selection process may be modified based on the needs of the City.

Pre-employment Process: The selected candidate must successfully pass a fingerprint check with the State Department of Justice, educational and employment verification, and reference check(s). Why work for Laguna Beach: Laguna Beach is a beautiful coastal city located in Orange County, California, with a vibrant art scene and cultural events. We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages, including City paid health insurance for employees, retirement plans, and paid time off.

The City has a strong commitment to its employees, providing opportunities for professional growth and development through training and education programs. Equal Opportunity Employer: The City of Laguna Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. We encourage you to inform Human Resources at least two business days prior to the first phase of the selection process if you have a disability that may require an accommodation.

EEO/ADA.