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Engineer Inspector Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Resident Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$170K - $200K/yr

Hill International is seeking a Resident Engineer/Inspector in San Jose, California We are seeking a Resident Engineer / Inspector to support Light Rail Transit (LRT) on an existing operating system.

Resident Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$170K - $200K/yr

Hill International is seeking a Resident Engineer/Inspector in San Jose, California We are seeking a Resident Engineer / Inspector to support Light Rail Transit (LRT) on an existing operating system.

This position performs receiving, in-process, first article, and final inspections to verify compliance with AS9100 standards, engineering drawings, specifications, and customer requirements. The ...

As engineers, inspectors, program managers, and environmental professionals, we play a significant role in shaping our communities through the services we provide. We are seeking a qualified ICC ...

* We are seeking a skilled CMM Programmer or inspector with proficiency in CMM, ROMER ARM and PC Dimas. Experience with Mastercam is a plus. * The right candidate will perform first article inspections ...

As engineers, inspectors, program managers, and environmental professionals, we play a significant role in shaping our communities through the services we provide. We are seeking a qualified ICC ...

As engineers, inspectors, program managers, and environmental professionals, we play a significant role in shaping our communities through the services we provide. We are seeking a qualified ICC ...

Supports Manufacturing/Process Engineers; provides additional bandwidth for Engineers to focus on ... Supports process and recovery of RMAs cycle time, recovery of excursion, quality inspections, and ...

Flexibility - Adapt to a dynamic manufacturing environment, performing multiple roles (Engineer, Inspector, Document Control, Tool Designer, Assembler). * Initiative - Take ownership of tasks with ...

As engineers, inspectors, program managers, and environmental professionals, we play a significant role in shaping our communities through the services we provide. We are seeking a qualified ICC ...

As engineers, inspectors, program managers, and environmental professionals, we play a significant role in shaping our communities through the services we provide. We are seeking a qualified ICC ...

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Showing results 1-20

Engineer Inspector information

See California salary details

$12

$26

$51

How much do engineer inspector jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for engineer inspector in California is $27.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $31.06 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much does an engineer inspector make?

An engineer inspector's average salary varies by location and experience but typically ranges from $60,000 to $90,000 annually. Salaries can increase with certifications, specialized skills, and years of experience in fields such as civil, mechanical, or electrical inspection.

What are some common challenges faced by Engineer Inspectors in coordinating with construction teams?

Engineer Inspectors often encounter challenges when balancing regulatory compliance with project timelines, especially when construction teams are under tight deadlines. Ensuring that all work meets safety and engineering standards requires effective communication and sometimes negotiating changes to planned work. Building strong relationships with site managers and contractors helps facilitate smoother inspections and prompt resolution of issues. Adaptability and a proactive approach are key to successfully collaborating and maintaining project quality.

What kind of inspector gets paid the most?

Among inspector roles, construction and industrial inspectors tend to have higher salaries due to the complexity and safety requirements of their work. Senior inspectors with specialized certifications and extensive experience in fields like aerospace, nuclear, or oil and gas inspection often earn the highest wages. These roles typically require advanced training, certifications, and sometimes security clearances.

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

To excel as an Engineer Inspector, you need a strong background in engineering principles, quality assurance, and relevant field experience, often supported by a degree in engineering or a related discipline. Familiarity with inspection tools, standards such as ISO or ASME, and proficiency in reporting software are typically required. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective communication are critical soft skills for accurately assessing compliance and conveying findings. These competencies ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and the delivery of high-quality projects or products.

What is an engineering inspector?

An engineering inspector is a professional who examines construction, manufacturing, or infrastructure projects to ensure they meet safety standards, codes, and specifications. They often review plans, conduct site inspections, and verify compliance using tools like measurement devices and inspection checklists, typically requiring relevant certifications or licenses.

What are Engineer Inspectors?

Engineer Inspectors are professionals responsible for examining and evaluating systems, structures, or equipment to ensure they meet regulatory standards, safety codes, and project specifications. Their work often involves site visits, reviewing technical documents, conducting tests, and providing detailed reports on compliance or defects. Engineer Inspectors play a crucial role in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and public works, helping to prevent failures and ensure quality and safety.

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 managerial or executive engineering roles may also reach this compensation level, especially with extensive experience and advanced certifications.

What is the difference between Engineer Inspector vs Construction Inspector?

AspectEngineer InspectorConstruction Inspector
Required CredentialsEngineering degree, professional engineer (PE) license often preferredHigh school diploma or associate degree, certifications like ICC or NICET beneficial
Work EnvironmentOffice settings, field inspections, project sitesConstruction sites, project sites, field inspections
Employer & Industry UsageEngineering firms, government agencies, infrastructure projectsConstruction companies, government agencies, contractors

Engineer Inspectors and Construction Inspectors both work in construction and infrastructure projects, but Engineer Inspectors typically have an engineering background and may hold a PE license, focusing on technical compliance and design standards. Construction Inspectors primarily ensure construction work meets codes and specifications, often with certifications like NICET. Both roles involve field inspections, but Engineer Inspectors usually have a broader technical scope and higher educational requirements.

What are popular job titles related to Engineer Inspector jobs in California? For Engineer Inspector jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Engineer Inspector job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,159 per year, or $27 per hour.
General Engineer (Inspector) - DIRECT HIRE

General Engineer (Inspector) - DIRECT HIRE

Department of Transportation

Ontario, CA

$74K/yr

Other

Posted 26 days ago


California Conservation Corps rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

403rd of 648 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

The primary purpose of this position is the performance of Federal pipeline safety compliance inspections; evaluate intrastate and interstate pipeline operators subject to Federal authority; investigate pipeline failures; and represent the Office of Pipeline Safety in all matter related to pipeline safety before Federal, state and industry authorities.

Qualifications:

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet either the education specialized experience requirements for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.
To qualify for the GS-11 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09 it must include:

  • Experience creating or reviewing engineering design and/or construction proposals/specifications for compliance with procedural, regulatory or related requirements.

To qualify for the GS-11 on Education alone, you must have:
3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
You can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

To qualify for the GS-12 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include:'

  • Experience applying engineering concepts, principles, and practices applicable to duties concerned with the design, and construction of gas or liquid pipeline systems of operators.


You cannot qualify on education at the GS-12 level; you must have experience.

To qualify for the GS-13 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include:

  • Experience conducting safety program reviews, engineering analyses, and evaluations of natural gas or hazardous liquid pipelines in accordance with safety regulations.
  • Experience reviewing design specifications for pipeline systems.
  • Experience providing technical determinations, and resolutions of compliance issues arising from pipeline safety inspections.

You cannot qualify on education at the GS-13 level; you must have experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

  • Compliance Inspection: Ability to direct an enforcement program in order to determine probable violations, assess preliminary civil penalties, issue proposed compliance orders, issue corrective action order, act as a senior official at enforcement hearings, evaluate response material, recommend final enforcement actions and issue warning letters.
  • Technical Competence: Skill in assuring that field actions comply with national policies, objectives, and regulations, as well as ensuring those regional programs are compatible with environmental, social, and economic goals and needs.
  • General Engineering: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of engineering and their practical applications.

For all types of consideration, experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social).  Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.  You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience
For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faq/federal-hiring/how-do-i-apply-for-federal-jobs/
Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date.
Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education:

MANDATORY EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

A. DEGREE: ENGINEERING --To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor’s degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR

B. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE -- College-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1 , or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.

2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

3. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.

4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor’s degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all inclusive). All applicants must meet the education requirements under A or B to qualify for applying to an engineering position. Transcripts are required for this position.

Employment Type: OTHER