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Drainage Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Parsons

Senior Civil Drainage Engineer

Irvine, CA · Hybrid

$88K - $154K/yr

Senior Civil Drainage Engineer - Southern California Opportunity : Ready to put your civil engineering and drainage design skills to work on marquee road and highway design projects that will change ...

Parsons

Senior Civil Drainage Engineer

San Diego, CA · Hybrid

$88K - $154K/yr

Senior Civil Drainage Engineer - Southern California Opportunity : Ready to put your civil engineering and drainage design skills to work on marquee road and highway design projects that will change ...

Parsons

Senior Civil Drainage Engineer

Corona, CA · Hybrid

$88K - $154K/yr

Senior Civil Drainage Engineer - Southern California Opportunity : Ready to put your civil engineering and drainage design skills to work on marquee road and highway design projects that will change ...

DK Engineer, Corp

Civil Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

Engineers are also responsible for project coordination with Architect and other Design Engineers ... At least 1-2 relevant experience in site planning, storm drainage water quality and quantity ...

DK Engineer, Corp

Civil Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

Engineers are also responsible for project coordination with Architect and other Design Engineers ... At least 1-2 relevant experience in site planning, storm drainage water quality and quantity ...

DK Engineer Corp

Civil Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

As a Civil Engineer at DKE, you will play a pivotal role in the design and execution of civil plans, including erosion control, grading and drainage, wet utilities, stormwater treatment, street ...

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All JobsDrainage Engineer JobsDrainage Engineer Jobs in California

Drainage Engineer information

See California salary details

$51.8K

$95.6K

$128.3K

How much do drainage engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for drainage engineer in California is $95,625.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,400.00 and $108,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a drainage engineer?

A drainage engineer is a type of civil engineer responsible for designing, constructing, and maintaining drainage facilities, including wastewater or stormwater management projects or transportation projects. Drainage engineers research climate and environmental factors for the project site, such as flood risks and land erosion, then they design a drainage facility that meets the budget, usage, and aesthetic goals of the municipality. As a drainage engineer, you may also remodel the region’s landscape or improve roadways to create more efficient water flow when it rains; proper systems prevent flooding, conserve water resources, and keep water sources from becoming contaminated. State, county, and local governments typically hire drainage engineers for projects, but you also find drainage engineers in private consulting firms and nonprofit environmental agencies.

What does a drainage engineer do?

A Drainage Engineer is responsible for designing, planning, and managing systems that control water runoff and prevent flooding. They work on projects such as stormwater management, sewage systems, and land drainage to ensure water is safely and efficiently diverted away from roads, buildings, and other infrastructures. Their role is crucial in both urban and rural development, helping to protect the environment and maintain public safety.

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

To thrive as a Drainage Engineer, you generally need a degree in civil or environmental engineering, strong analytical skills, and a solid understanding of hydrology and stormwater management. Familiarity with design and modeling software such as AutoCAD, MicroDrainage, or Civil 3D, as well as relevant engineering certifications, is typically required. Strong communication, problem-solving abilities, and attention to detail are essential soft skills for collaborating with stakeholders and ensuring project accuracy. These skills and qualities are crucial for designing effective drainage systems that meet regulatory standards and address environmental and public safety concerns.

What are some common challenges faced by drainage engineers when working on urban infrastructure projects?

Drainage Engineers working on urban infrastructure projects often encounter challenges such as managing limited space for new drainage systems, navigating existing utility networks, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Collaborating closely with city planners, utility companies, and construction teams is essential to address these complexities. Additionally, adapting designs to accommodate changing stormwater patterns and mitigating flood risks in densely populated areas are key responsibilities that require innovative problem-solving.

What is the difference between Drainage Engineer vs Civil Engineer?

AspectDrainage EngineerCivil Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, often specialized in hydraulics or water resourcesEngineering degree, often with civil or structural specialization
Work EnvironmentDesigning drainage systems, flood management, site drainageBroader projects including roads, bridges, buildings, and infrastructure
Industry UsageFocused on water management and drainage solutionsWide range of infrastructure projects, including drainage

Drainage Engineers specialize in designing and managing drainage and water systems, while Civil Engineers work on a broader range of infrastructure projects, including drainage. Both roles require engineering degrees, but Drainage Engineers focus more on water-related systems, making them more specific within the civil engineering field.

Are drainage engineers in demand?

Drainage engineers are in demand due to ongoing infrastructure projects, urban development, and the need for water management solutions. The role often requires knowledge of hydraulic modeling, environmental regulations, and specialized tools, making it a stable career choice in the engineering field.
More about Drainage Engineer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Drainage Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Drainage Engineer jobs in California are:

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For Drainage Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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The top searched job categories for Drainage Engineer jobs in California are:

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Cities in California with the most Drainage Engineer job openings:

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For Drainage Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Drainage Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drainage Engineer job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 74% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,625 per year, or $46 per hour.

Senior Civil Drainage Engineer

Parsons

Irvine, CA • Hybrid

$88K - $154K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago

Parsons rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 46 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

271st of 454 rated engineering

Job description

In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next!At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. Unleash your talent and redefine what's possible.

Job Description:

Senior Civil Drainage Engineer - Southern California

Opportunity :

Ready to put your civil engineering and drainage design skills to work on marquee road and highway design projects that will change the urban fabric of our community? Would you enjoy being involved on a wide variety of civil engineering tasks on small to large scale, transportation projects?Parsonsis now hiring aSenior Drainage Engineerfor design-build and design-bid-build projects located in Southern California to support various Caltrans road and highway projects and rail projects in Southern California. This role can be based in either Pasadena, Corona, or Irvine, and allows for a hybrid work situation (meaning ability to work from home 1-2 days per week).

Parsons extensive experience in this field, combined with your engineering knowledge, will propel your career forward with opportunity for advancement with top performance. We need our engineers to be versatile, enthusiastic to work in highly flexible, team-oriented environment and who have exceptional communication, analytical and management skills.

In this role, you will be engaged in engineering drainage and stormwater treatment designs, hydraulic systems modeling, and drainage calculations. You will be responsible for review and preparation of construction details, as well as construction specifications and estimates. Perform quantity calculations and produce/check engineering analytical data and related information to assure the design and any technical reports are accurate. Delivering critical design components regarding project scope, and experience withCALTRANS experience is highly desirable.

Responsibilities :

  • Develops and/or supervises the creation of engineering products that meet customer quality requirements. This includes defining the problem, establishing the work scope, preparing the budget and schedule, planning the work, providing technical direction, and reporting the work status.
  • Typical products may include detailed calculations, drawings, procurement documents, design and installation packages, proposal evaluations, technical reports, and detailed analyses.
  • Provides support for other engineering activities as required. May supervise one or more subordinates and provide input regarding performance.
  • May be assigned to a project or organizational team, or as a lead engineer for a specific discipline on a small to intermediate-size project.
  • Provides input and technical guidance to CAD Designer/Drafters, Designers, and lower-level Engineers working on the same project.

Qualifications:

  • 4-year degree in Civil Engineering (or a related field) is required.
  • 8+years of related work experience with road & highway drainage design, preferably with state DOT projects
  • PE ( Professional Engineer) license is required
  • Proficiency in utilizing CAD and other PC software packages typically associated with engineering is required.
  • Experience with Caltrans projects in California is highly desirable . Experience obtaining canal and storm water permits is a plus
  • Combination of Experience with hydraulic modeling programs of HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, HY-8, Bentley InRoads Storm &Sanitary, AutoCAD Civil 3D Drainage Networks, Bentley StormCAD, Aquaveo Watershed Modeling System (WMS), NRCS WinTR-55, Bentley FlowMaster, FHWA Hydraulic Toolbox, Aquaveo SMS SRH 2D Hydraulic Modeling, and EPA Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) is essential.

Security Clearance Requirement:

NoneThis position is part of our Critical Infrastructure team.For more than 80 years, our experts have designed and delivered the critical infrastructure that connects and protects communities around the world. We work in collaborative teams, both within the company and with our partners and customers, to plan, design, build, and modernize infrastructure. We take special pride in projects and solutions that improve communities as well as people's quality of life by promoting economic growth, enhancing mobility, and increasing sustainability and resiliency. Powered by our people, we provide the imagination necessary to support our customers' visions-and to help them see what's next!Salary Range: $88,400.00 - $154,700.00We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as medical, dental, vision, paid time off, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), 401(k), life insurance, flexible work schedules, and holidays to fit your busy lifestyle!Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.We truly invest and care about our employee's wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest-APPLY TODAY!

Parsons is aware of fraudulent recruitment practices. To learn more about recruitment fraud and how to report it, please refer tohttps://www.parsons.com/fraudulent-recruitment/.

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