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Land Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Land Surveyor

Corona, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Professional Land Surveyor Location: Corona, CA Years of Experience: 10+ Years About RTM ... RTM Engineering Consultants is an MEP, Civil and Structural engineering firm that goes beyond the ...

Engineering and Designing Reliable, Responsive, Solutions. SINCE 1976, CANNON has provided creative ... Land Surveyor Job Summary The Licensed Land Surveyor (PLS) is responsible for managing and ...

Land Surveyor

Irvine, CA

$105K - $155K/yr

Engineering and Designing Reliable, Responsive, Solutions. SINCE 1976, CANNON has provided creative ... LAND SURVEYOR JOB SUMMARY The Licensed Land Surveyor (PLS) is responsible for managing and ...

Land Surveyor

Irvine, CA · On-site

$105K - $155K/yr

Engineering and Designing Reliable, Responsive, Solutions. SINCE 1976, CANNON has provided creative ... LAND SURVEYOR JOB SUMMARY The Licensed Land Surveyor (PLS) is responsible for managing and ...

WHAT WE DO Since 1986, PLSA has provided a wide range of land development consulting services in Southern California for landowners, real estate developers, and public agencies to bring their ...

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Showing results 1-20

Land Developer information

See California salary details

$15

$37

$63

How much do land developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for land developer in California is $37.85, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $58.85 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Land Developer vs Land Planner?

AspectLand DeveloperLand Planner
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in urban planning, civil engineering, or related field; often some experience in real estate or developmentBachelor's or master's degree in urban planning, geography, or related field; certification may be preferred
Work EnvironmentReal estate development projects, construction sites, development officesGovernment agencies, planning departments, consulting firms
Employer & Industry UsageReal estate development companies, construction firms, private investorsMunicipalities, government agencies, urban planning firms

While both roles involve land use and development, a Land Developer focuses on acquiring, financing, and managing land projects for development, often working on the commercial or residential scale. A Land Planner primarily works on designing and planning land use in accordance with regulations and community needs, often within government or consulting settings. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the land development industry.

What jobs pay 500,000 a year in the US?

In the US, high-paying roles such as senior executives, investment bankers, specialized surgeons, and successful entrepreneurs can earn $500,000 or more annually. These positions often require advanced education, extensive experience, and strong industry networks, with some earning through bonuses, profit sharing, or business ownership.

What is the job of a land developer?

A land developer is responsible for acquiring, planning, and developing land for construction or sale. They coordinate with engineers, architects, and government agencies to ensure projects meet zoning laws and environmental regulations, often overseeing the entire development process from site selection to project completion.

What are some common challenges a Land Developer faces when coordinating with local government agencies?

Land Developers often encounter challenges navigating complex zoning laws, securing permits, and meeting environmental regulations. These processes can be time-consuming and require close collaboration with city planners, engineers, and legal experts to ensure compliance. Effective communication and proactive problem-solving are essential to address unexpected issues or delays, making strong negotiation and relationship-building skills valuable assets in this role.

Is there money in land development?

Land development can be financially rewarding for professionals such as land developers, especially when projects are successfully planned and executed. Income varies based on experience, project size, location, and market conditions, with opportunities for profit through property sales, leasing, or infrastructure improvements.

What does a land developer do?

A land developer is responsible for transforming raw land into usable real estate, such as residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, or industrial parks. This involves acquiring land, securing government approvals and permits, planning infrastructure like roads and utilities, and overseeing construction. Land developers work closely with architects, engineers, government officials, and contractors to ensure the project meets all zoning, environmental, and community requirements. Their goal is to maximize the value and utility of the land while complying with regulations and market demands.

What is the highest paid job in property?

In property development, senior roles such as Real Estate Development Directors or Vice Presidents typically have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures annually. These positions require extensive experience, strong negotiation skills, and often advanced degrees or certifications in real estate or urban planning.

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

To thrive as a Land Developer, you need a solid understanding of land use planning, real estate markets, zoning laws, and often a degree in civil engineering, urban planning, or a related field. Familiarity with project management software, GIS mapping tools, and knowledge of permitting processes are typically required. Strong negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills help build consensus among stakeholders and navigate complex regulatory environments. These skills ensure projects are completed efficiently, profitably, and in compliance with legal and community standards.
What cities in California are hiring for Land Developer jobs? Cities in California with the most Land Developer job openings:
Infographic showing various Land Developer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 12% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $78,735 per year, or $37.9 per hour.
Director, Land Engineering

Director, Land Engineering

Brookfield Properties

Costa Mesa, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 25 days ago


Brookfield Properties rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

108th of 163 rated real estate companies


Job description

Location

Costa Mesa - 3200 Park Center Drive, Suite 1000

Business

At Brookfield Residential, a leading North American land developer and homebuilder for over 65 years, we have had one goal in mind - creating the best places to call home. From the development of award-winning, master-planned communities to the creation of well-designed homes, we are committed to cultivating exceptional life experiences for our customers, partners, employees, and members of the community.
As part of Brookfield - one of the largest alternative asset managers in the world - we harness our resources to bring a fresh approach, unparalleled creativity, relentless innovation, and sound Sustainability practices to the planning, development, and management of buildings everywhere. From offices, retail spaces, and logistics facilities to multifamily residences, hospitality establishments, and mixed-use structures - we are reimagining real estate from the ground up.

If you're ready to be a part of our team, we encourage you to apply.

Job Description

Overview:

The Director, Land Engineering is responsible to effectively move and actively track assigned development projects towards an end result of a finished lot community, with additional responsibility of ensuring properly documented turnover and bond release of community and common area. Responsibilities are related to due diligence, entitlements, plan processing, regulatory and construction permitting processes and community turnover for projects throughout Southern California, and include regular and effective communication and coordination involving many project participants.

The Director will be the point person in defining the scope of the project and project team members, developing and managing the project schedule, and developing and managing the project budget through completion. This role must take ownership of the project and have a strong understanding of all facets of the project in order to make business decisions and report status updates to the leadership team. In short the Director must proactively identify, assess, and mitigate entitlement, schedule, budget, and political risks throughout the project lifecycle.


Key Responsibilities:

  • Assist with due diligence for land acquisitions, including feasibility studies, project budgets, and entitlement/development schedules.

  • Manage consultant coordination and agency interactions throughout entitlement processes.

  • Negotiate conditions of approval, mitigation measures, and development agreements with public agencies.

  • Develop project schedules and comprehensive budgets with the consultant team.

  • Represent the company at public hearings to secure project approvals.

  • Build and maintain relationships with consultants; negotiate contracts, scopes, standards, costs, and schedules.

  • Lead multidisciplinary consultant teams through design and permitting of public and private improvements.

  • Oversee preparation of civil, landscape, architectural, and other design plans to ensure complete and efficient project execution.

  • Serve as the primary contact for regulatory plan checks and ensure compliance with permitting requirements and project conditions.

  • Meet regularly with internal teams, stakeholders, and public officials on development-related issues.

  • Represent the company with elected and public officials and maintain strong external relationships.

  • Coordinate with field teams and the city to achieve project acceptance, utility turnover, and bond exoneration.

  • Manage the transition of land lots and amenities to HOAs and development teams.

  • Ensure community design and development align with the Community CX playbook and conduct periodic evaluations.

  • Review homeowner experience surveys and identify customer experience improvement trends.

  • Lead documentation, applications, and plan-check processes with agencies.

  • Represent the company on HOA boards as needed.

  • Manage A&E budgets and support preparation of overall development budgets.

  • Maintain organized project files, including plans and correspondence, in a central location.

  • Process invoices, contracts, and check requests.

  • Contribute to all DRE requirements, including creation of HOA documents and budgets.

  • Report project updates, changes, budgets, and schedules to leadership.


What You'll Bring:

  • 10 + years of relevant experience in the industry and strong record of accomplishment is required

  • A Bachelor's degree in Planning or Civil Engineering

  • Proficiency in the skill sets of project management is required

  • Prior residential homebuilding/ land development experience is required

  • Experience with master planned communities is a plus

  • Ability to read, edit, and QA/QC engineering and architectural plans

  • Proficiency in excel, MS Planner, MS Suite, and proficiency in CoPilot or similar LM

  • Strong attention to detail, writing, organizational and interpersonal skills

  • A high degree of motivation, follow through and accountability is expected

  • Previous experience with project budgeting and scheduling is needed

  • The ability to prioritize tasks and work effectively alone or on teams is critical, multitask and meet multiple deadlines

  • Proven ability to problem solve

  • Willing to commute to project sites, consultant offices and public agency headquarters regularly

  • Willingness to serve on HOA board, which could be evening obligations Willingness to attend city council meetings and public hearings, which could be evening obligations


What We Offer:

  • Competitive compensation and total rewards package

  • Annual Base Salary: $ 160,000 to $175,000

  • Bonus Eligible

  • Excellent extended medical, dental, and vision benefits beginning day 1

  • 401(k) matching, vesting begins day 1

  • Career development programs

  • Paid Volunteer Hours

  • Paid parental leave

  • Family planning assistance, including IVF, surrogacy and adoption options

  • Wellness and mental health resources

  • Pet insurance offering

  • A culture based on our values of Passion, Integrity, & Community!


#LI-BT1

#BRP

Brookfield Residential participates in the E-Verify process to confirm the eligibility of candidates to work in the United States.

We are proud to create a diverse environment and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are grateful for your interest in this position, however, only candidates selected for pre-screening will be contacted.

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