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Electrical Project Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Experience in BAS, HVAC controls, or mechanical/electrical project engineering * Detail-oriented with strong documentation and specification review skills * Excellent communicator capable of cross ...

Senior Electrical Project Engineer - California Offices Award-winning Architecture, Engineering & Planning Firm Are you looking to join a vibrant architectural and engineering firm where you can ...

... Electrical Integration Engineer Drafter/Designer - Integrated Cable Harness Survivability Engineer Airframe Design Engineer Airframe Project Engineer Airframe Liaison Engineer Loads and Dynamics ...

Preferably holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Construction Management, Business ... Capable of managing and mentoring project engineers and interns. * Experienced in the design-build ...

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Electrical Project Engineer information

See California salary details

$52.3K

$104.2K

$153K

How much do electrical project engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for electrical project engineer in California is $104,162.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,800.00 and $118,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the work of an electrical project engineer?

An electrical project engineer plans, designs, and oversees electrical systems for construction and infrastructure projects. They coordinate with teams, ensure compliance with safety standards, and use tools like AutoCAD and project management software to complete projects on time and within budget.

Can you make $500,000 as an electrical engineer?

Electrical project engineers typically earn salaries ranging from $70,000 to $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Reaching a $500,000 salary usually requires senior roles, specialized skills, management positions, or working in high-paying sectors such as energy or large infrastructure projects. Such high earnings are uncommon for standard electrical engineering roles without significant experience or leadership responsibilities.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. High-level roles typically require extensive experience, advanced skills, and sometimes professional certifications or advanced degrees.

What are some common challenges Electrical Project Engineers face when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Electrical Project Engineers often juggle several projects at once, which can present challenges such as balancing competing deadlines, coordinating with cross-functional teams, and managing changes in project scope. Effective time management and strong communication skills are essential to ensure projects stay on track and within budget. Leveraging project management tools and maintaining clear documentation can help mitigate risks and streamline collaboration with contractors, suppliers, and clients.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Electrical Project Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Electrical Project Engineer, you need a solid foundation in electrical engineering principles, project management, and a relevant engineering degree, often with a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Familiarity with AutoCAD, project management software (such as MS Project), and industry standards like NEC or IEEE is typically required. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help manage stakeholders and lead cross-functional teams effectively. These competencies are crucial to ensure projects are completed safely, on time, and within budget while meeting all technical specifications.

What is the difference between Electrical Project Engineer vs Electrical Design Engineer?

AspectElectrical Project EngineerElectrical Design Engineer
CertificationsPE license, EIT, PMP (optional)PE license, EIT, certifications in CAD or design software
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, project management settingsDesign offices, engineering firms
Primary FocusManaging projects, overseeing installation, ensuring deadlinesCreating electrical designs, drafting schematics
Industry UsageConstruction, infrastructure, industrial projectsDesign firms, consulting engineering

Electrical Project Engineers focus on managing electrical projects from planning to completion, coordinating teams, and ensuring project specifications are met. Electrical Design Engineers concentrate on developing electrical system designs, creating schematics, and ensuring compliance with standards. Both roles require similar certifications but differ mainly in their daily responsibilities and work environments.

What Does an Electrical Project Engineer Do?

An electrical project engineer supervises the development and installation of the electrical engineering systems for a specific project. Typical job duties involve obtaining the proper tools and materials, developing a design plan, assigning tasks to other workers, adhering to all technical and safety requirements, and staying within budget. This career requires an extensive background in electrical engineering or project management and at least a bachelor’s degree in business management, construction management, or engineering. Additional qualifications typically include strong management skills, experience with industry computer programs, knowledge of cable systems, and the ability to work as part of a larger team. Many electrical project engineers are certified engineers.

What does an Electrical Project Engineer do?

An Electrical Project Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and managing electrical projects from conception to completion. They coordinate with other engineers, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure that electrical systems meet safety standards, project specifications, and regulatory requirements. Their duties often include drafting project plans, estimating costs, overseeing installation and testing, and troubleshooting any issues that arise during the project. Electrical Project Engineers work in various industries, such as construction, manufacturing, and energy, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, or leadership roles. High-level project managers and engineering directors in large organizations may also reach this compensation level, often involving complex projects and technical expertise.
What cities in California are hiring for Electrical Project Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Electrical Project Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Electrical Project Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,162 per year, or $50.1 per hour.
Electrical Senior Project Engineer - Substation

Electrical Senior Project Engineer - Substation

Affiliated Engineers, Inc.

San Francisco, CA

$126K - $165K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

Affiliated Engineers, Inc. (AEI) is a leading, multidisciplinary consulting engineering firm and collaborative community of over 800 employees who plan, design, and deliver high-performance, innovative, and holistic engineering solutions — positively impacting society and advancing humankind.

Recognized in the Top 20 Engineering Firms and Top 3 Science and Technology Firms since 2000 by Building Design + Construction Magazine, AEI is dedicated to enhancing public health and improving patient outcomes, advancing revolutionary biomedical research, and enabling the next generation of scientific discovery and technological innovation through remarkable design and award-winning projects.

From collaborating with the California Air Resources Board to transform air quality in the world’s largest, zero net energy emissions testing facility to creating human-centric, technically advanced clinical environments that elevate communities — such as Healthcare Design Magazine's 2022 Design Showcase Winner, Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Venice, Florida — our work reflects the highest standards in sustainable design practices.  

As a Senior Electrical Project Engineer - Substation Power Systems in our San Francisco office, you will help us empower our clients to achieve energy-efficient building solutions, save global environments, and create a better, greener future for all.

Here’s why we need you:

In this role, you will build and maintains relationships with clients and project partners and will be responsible for the overall power systems design process on assigned project.  AEI projects may require experience in some or all of the following expertise: substation design, utility coordination, relaying and protection, switchgear automation, dynamic load analysis, SCADA design, Vdc distribution, DER and renewable energy generation, battery energy storage systems, microgrids, and campus distribution for medium and high voltage.   You will develop innovative and unique design solutions to align with project, client and project partner needs and leads the team in implementing solutions in the power, mission critical, manufacturing, automotive, higher ed, pharmaceutical, federal, and institutional markets.

Expertise of our most successful Senior Electrical Project Engineer: 

  • BSEE from an ABET accredited program.
  • Professional engineering registration required. Ability to obtain licensure in various states as needed.
  • 10+ years of experience designing MV or HV power distribution, and/or generation, and/or transmission systems.
  • Proficiency in computer operation for power engineering design programs (power systems modeling, SCCAF).
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Ability to work well in a team environment, including carrying out appropriate follow-through with others, mentoring, delegating work, and giving and receiving constructive feedback. Communicates well with clients, project partners and with individuals at all levels in the organization.

Effective skills to help you flourish:

  • Experience in medium and/or high voltage substation design.
  • Expertise in relaying, protection, and metering design incorporating microprocessor-based devices. Familiarity with programming and testing practices in support of start-up and acceptance testing.
  • Expertise in switchgear/substation automation sequence of operations.
  • Expertise in facilitating SCADA implementation.
  • Experience coordinating with Utility Companies for point of demarcation, interconnect agreements, design standards compliance, etc
  • Distributed Energy Resources (DER) and renewable energy generation.
  • Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) technology.
  • Grid scale Photovoltaic (PV) technology.

Our dedication to you: 

  • AEI passionately invests in our brilliant talent by allowing for personal and professional growth through supporting clients like NASA; the National Institutes of Health and Cone Health System; the US Department of Homeland Security and US Department of Energy; and Stanford University and the California Institute of Technology.
  • Our flexible and collaborative work environment demonstrates our dedication to employee appreciation and collective commitment to excellence.
  • We provide the opportunity to serve the greater good of humanity through work on cutting-edge, state-of-the-art projects like Promega Corporation’s Kornberg Center, The University of Arizona’s Biomedical Sciences Partnership Building, AbbVie’s West Coast Oncology Hub, and BioMed Realty’s Gateway of Pacific.
  • Our culture encourages professional development while adhering to a set of core values that drive company and team decisions. Our commitment to these values – innovation and expertise, integrity, communication, quality, responsibility, opportunity, and growth – informs both project decisions and behavior amongst colleagues and clients
  • An exceptional benefits package (health, dental, vision) and a year-end bonus based on company profits, individual responsibility, and performance.

Estimated Starting Salary Range: $120,000 to $170,000

We provide the tools and a support system to ensure a thriving career. If this environment and opportunity to work on world-changing projects align with your goals, we would be thrilled to meet you. 

Come and collaborate with us!

To be considered, apply online at https://aeieng.com/about/careers/.  

If you know other candidates that would excel at this position, please share this posting with them directly via email, or to your network on LinkedIn. 

AEI is proud to be an EEO/AA Employer/Vet/Disabled.