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Highway Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

KASA Construction Inc.

Operating Engineer

Chino, CA · On-site

$70K - $95K/yr

Operating Engineer Full KASA Construction Inc., one of Southern California's leading heavy-civil ... Performing work on street and highway construction: grading, paving, excavation of earth and rock ...

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All JobsHighway Engineer JobsHighway Engineer Jobs in California

Highway Engineer information

See California salary details

$46.9K

$96.7K

$131.8K

How much do highway engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 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 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 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 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 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 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.

More about Highway Engineer jobs

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

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

What are popular job titles related to Highway Engineer jobs in California?

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

What job categories do people searching Highway Engineer jobs in California look for?

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

What cities in California are hiring for Highway Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Highway Engineer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Highway Engineer jobs in CA?

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

Highway Engineer jobs near you
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.

Project Manager (Highway/Roadway Projects)

AECOM

San Jose, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 23 days ago

AECOM rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 70 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

21st of 80 rated construction

Job description

Company Description
Work with Us. Change the World.
At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world's most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.
There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.
We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.
Job Description
AECOM is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead the delivery of highway and roadway projects in our San Jose Office. This position carries full responsibility for project performance, including scope, schedule, budget, quality, and client satisfaction, and plays a critical role in business development and team leadership.
Key Responsibilities
  • Provide full lifecycle management of highway and roadway projects, from planning and budgeting through construction and contract closeout.
  • Establish and enforce project-specific objectives, policies, and controls aligned with AECOM and client requirements.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact between AECOM and client stakeholders, ensuring strong relationships and consistent communication.
  • Lead and direct project teams, including subordinate project managers, engineers, and supervisors, providing mentorship and strategic guidance.
  • Ensure projects are delivered in strict compliance with design specifications, approved budgets, schedules, and contractual obligations.
  • Maintain full accountability for project financial performance, including profit and loss, forecasting, and cost control.
  • Develop and execute comprehensive project management plans covering risk management, quality assurance, safety, and resource allocation.
  • Coordinate across internal disciplines (engineering, design, environmental, and construction) to ensure seamless delivery.
  • Conduct regular project status meetings and provide clear reporting on progress, risks, and mitigation strategies.
  • Identify potential risks early and implement effective contingency plans.
  • Oversee preparation and submission of permits, environmental documentation, and regulatory compliance reports.
  • Support business development initiatives, including proposal preparation, client presentations, interviews, scope definition, fee development, and contract negotiations.
  • Participate in industry events, conferences, and client outreach to support market growth.
  • Mentor junior project management staff and engineering personnel, fostering professional development and continuous improvement.
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations governing transportation infrastructure projects.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
  • 8+ years of relevant experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience).

Preferred Qualifications
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license; ability to obtain California PE within 12 months if not currently licensed in CA.
  • 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in transportation project delivery.
  • Demonstrated leadership and staff management capability.
  • Proven experience with business development and client relationship management.
  • Experience managing small to mid-sized highway or roadway projects across all project phases.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Additional Information
  • Sponsorship is available.

About AECOM
AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.
AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients' complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle - from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.
What makes AECOM a great place to work
You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you'll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you've always envisioned. Here, you'll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community-where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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