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Highway Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Roadway Engineer I

San Diego, CA · On-site

$63K - $111K/yr

Parsons is now hiring for a Roadway Engineer I to join our team supporting major regional road and highway projects in the San Diego and Oakland areas. This position is an in office role, reporting ...

Roadway Engineer I

San Diego, CA · On-site

$63K - $111K/yr

Parsons is now hiring for a Roadway Engineer I to join our team supporting major regional road and highway projects in the San Diego and Oakland areas. This position is an in office role, reporting ...

Develop detailed engineering designs for municipal roadway projects, including geometric design, pavement design, drainage, and traffic control plans. * Utilize advanced design software (e.g ...

Roadway Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$120K - $190K/yr

Develop detailed engineering designs for municipal roadway projects, including geometric design, pavement design, drainage, and traffic control plans. * Utilize advanced design software (e.g ...

Roadway Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$120K - $190K/yr

Develop detailed engineering designs for municipal roadway projects, including geometric design, pavement design, drainage, and traffic control plans. * Utilize advanced design software (e.g ...

Roadway Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$120K - $190K/yr

Develop detailed engineering designs for municipal roadway projects, including geometric design, pavement design, drainage, and traffic control plans. * Utilize advanced design software (e.g ...

Tunnel Engineer

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

A minimum bachelor's degree in civil engineering, construction, or a related degree is required. * 0-5 years combined experience in project management or estimating in Tunneling or Civil Engineering.

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Showing results 1-20

Highway Engineer information

See California salary details

$46.9K

$96.7K

$131.8K

How much do highway engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for highway engineer in California is $96,735.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,400.00 and $112,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Highway Engineer vs Civil Engineer?

AspectHighway EngineerCivil Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Civil Engineering, PE license often preferredBachelor's in Civil Engineering, PE license often required
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, transportation departments, engineering firmsConstruction sites, infrastructure projects, consulting firms
Industry UsageSpecializes in highway and road projectsBroader scope including bridges, buildings, and infrastructure
Common Search/ComparisonHighway Engineer vs Civil Engineer

Highway Engineers focus specifically on designing, constructing, and maintaining roads and highways, often working within transportation departments or specialized firms. Civil Engineers have a broader role, working on various infrastructure projects including buildings, bridges, and water systems. Both roles require similar credentials and often overlap in work environments, but Highway Engineers specialize in transportation infrastructure.

What does a highway engineer do?

A Highway Engineer is responsible for designing, planning, and overseeing the construction and maintenance of roads, highways, and related infrastructure. Their work includes ensuring that transportation routes are safe, efficient, and environmentally sustainable. They collaborate with other engineers, government agencies, and contractors to address traffic flow, drainage, materials, and safety standards. Highway Engineers also assess existing road conditions and recommend improvements or repairs as needed.

What are some common challenges highway engineers face when working on large infrastructure projects?

Highway Engineers often encounter challenges such as coordinating with multiple stakeholders, managing tight project timelines, and ensuring compliance with strict safety and environmental regulations. Working on large-scale projects also requires adapting to unexpected site conditions and balancing budget constraints with quality standards. Effective communication and collaboration with surveyors, contractors, and government agencies are essential to address these challenges and keep projects on track.

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

To thrive as a Highway Engineer, you need a solid background in civil engineering principles, road design, and construction management, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree and Professional Engineer (PE) licensure. Proficiency with CAD software, transportation modeling tools, and project management systems is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective highway infrastructure development and maintenance.

What is a highway engineer?

A highway engineer specializes in designing and maintaining roads, bridges, and tunnels to ensure safe and efficient transportation in a region. As a highway engineer, you must understand how traffic moves through a location for vehicles and pedestrians to determine the best flow of traffic. You must also know what kind of road surface would work best for each project. Highway engineers may work on a project from the design phase all the way through construction, and often are called back to maintain the structures to make sure they are still fully functional.

What cities in California are hiring for Highway Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Highway Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Highway Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $96,735 per year, or $46.5 per hour.

Assistant Vice President, Civil/Highway Engineer

WSP

Irvine, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago


WSP rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 69 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 72 rated business consultants


Job description


This Opportunity
WSP is currently initiating a search for an enthusiastic and motivated Assistant Vice President, Civil/Highway Engineer for our Southern CA Transportation team! This position will support our Southern California projects and can be based out of WSP's Los Angeles, Irvine, San Bernardino, or Riverside CA offices. Be involved in projects with our Civil Engineering Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our client's objectives and solves their challenges.
WSP is looking to build our California Regional Transportation team for local agency roadway, highway, and civil engineering projects in the Southern California Area.
The Assistant VP, Civil/Highway Engineer should have experience in leading design of civil, highway, roadway geometric design, roadway plan production, drainage design and PD&E related design and/or traditional delivery and alternative delivery projects. This position will function as the lead engineer or project manager on major projects for the state DOT and other local agency / municipal clients. Responsibilities also include project management, leading pursuits, maintaining client relationships, staffing projects, design and QA/QC. This role will also be heavily involved in assisting in managing daily activities of the Civil/Highway group.
Your Impact
  • Assist in leading and continue developing the Civil/Highway design team.
  • Providing guidance and mentoring of staff and direct work assignments.
  • Collaborating with management to determine long-range plans and objectives, including recommendations on project staffing.
  • Maintain positive client relationships to expand current business.
  • Actively seek out and lead new opportunities by leveraging established local relationships and participate in pursuit proposals.
  • Manage projects and maintain schedule, budget, and profitability of assigned projects; overseeing preparation of plans, specifications, and proposals.
  • Lead project tasks for conceptual and preliminary engineering and final design activities, as well as development of construction plans, calculations and specifications.
  • Coordinate with other design disciplines such as structures, hydraulics, traffic, and utilities, etc.
  • Participate hands-on in the preparation of Plans, Specifications and Estimates (PS&E).
  • Review, monitor and/or develop complex layouts, sketches, plans, specifications and estimates standards and guidelines, correspondence, and/or prepare reports.
  • Participate in preparation of technical proposals and labor estimates.
  • Commitment to quality and continuous improvement through innovation, creative thinking and improved results.
  • Establish and maintain cooperative and productive work relationships with all employees, clients and other stakeholders.
  • Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP's Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
  • Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, or closely related discipline.
  • 10+ years of relevant post education experience in engineering and civil design.
  • Engineer license required (California preferred).
  • Highly proficient with civil engineering principles, practices, process, design/build, and the application to permitting and project work-related issues.
  • Highly proficient with infrastructure design.
  • Experience with infrastructure planning, design, and program/construction management; including project involvement in a variety of rehabilitation and reconstruction, new design, and construction projects.
  • Strong knowledge of relevant civil construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
  • Highly proficient with making technical computations and calculations involving the application of engineering principles, understanding plans and specifications, and making factual comparisons to the appropriate regulations.
  • Experience with planning and conducting inspections and investigations on various aspects of the construction and design of facilities or structures, applying applicable regulations and policies.
  • Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing intricate ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
  • Strong self-leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively, persuasively, and tactfully interact with clients, regulators, project managers, and employees at all levels of the organization.
  • Works independently to provide guidance and leadership to mid-level to senior level team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
  • Proficiency with technical writing, office automation, discipline-specific design software (i.e., MicroStation, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, ArcGIS, InRoads, Geopak, GeoSlope, ANSYS, STADD, HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS), technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.
  • Experienced with providing critical review for documents and preparing technical deliverables and plans with a high degree of complexity.
  • Well-developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, computations, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solution.
  • Demonstrated effectiveness at coordinating and assertively directing subcontractors and others to consistently complete tasks safely and efficiently.
  • Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP's health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
  • Must be flexible to a variety of schedules to meet business needs and able to prioritize responsibilities and quickly adapt to change in a pressure work environment.
  • Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master's Degree in Civil Engineering or related field from an accredited program.

WSP Benefits:
WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee's career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.
Compensation:
Expected Salary (all locations): $157,410 - $205,000
WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant's sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.
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About Us
About WSP
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.
www.wsp.com
WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee's career.
At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?
WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:
WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation - no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.

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