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Principal Project Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

MWA Inc

Project Engineer

Truckee, CA · On-site

$37.10 - $56.18/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Project Engineer Position MWA, Inc. - Truckee, CA office is seeking a well-rounded and self ... Reports to Principal Engineer * Engineering * Assume structural lead role including oversight of ...

Genentech

Principal Project Scheduler

Oceanside, CA · On-site

$119K - $222K/yr

This role is a valuable part of Roche's Global Engineering team within Pharma Technical Operations ... The Opportunity As the Principal Project Scheduler you will develop and maintain integrated project ...

Join Us At PASE!

Senior Project Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$115K - $150K/yr

Project Manager, Associate, or Principal Job Responsibilities Structural Design * Oversees the ... May serve as the engineer of record for projects. * Performs quality control activities for ...

California Waters

Project Engineer

Yorba Linda, CA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Applicants for the position of Project Engineer shall possess a minimum of three years of ... PRINCIPALS ONLY - NO AGENCIES, PLEASE California Waters is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Join Us At PASE!

Senior Project Engineer

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$121K - $136K/yr

Project Manager, Associate, or Principal Job Responsibilities Structural Design * Oversees the ... May serve as the engineer of record for projects. * Performs quality control activities for ...

Join Us At PASE!

Senior Project Engineer

San Ramon, CA · On-site

$110K - $143K/yr

Project Manager, Associate, or Principal Job Responsibilities Structural Design * Oversees the ... May serve as the engineer of record for projects. * Performs quality control activities for ...

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All JobsPrincipal Project Engineer JobsPrincipal Project Engineer Jobs in California

Principal Project Engineer information

See California salary details

$73K

$145.3K

$209.7K

How much do principal project engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal project engineer in California is $145,292.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,900.00 and $170,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a principal project engineer typically interact with cross-functional teams during a project's lifecycle?

A Principal Project Engineer plays a central role in coordinating efforts across various departments, such as design, manufacturing, quality assurance, and procurement. They lead technical discussions, ensure alignment on project goals, and resolve cross-functional challenges to keep the project on track. Effective communication, stakeholder management, and the ability to translate technical requirements between teams are crucial for success in this role. Regular meetings, progress updates, and collaborative problem-solving sessions are common aspects of their daily responsibilities.

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

To thrive as a Principal Project Engineer, you need deep expertise in engineering principles, project management, and typically a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering with several years of relevant experience. Proficiency with project management software (such as MS Project or Primavera), CAD tools, and relevant industry certifications (like PMP or PE licensure) is often required. Leadership, problem-solving, and excellent communication skills help drive cross-functional teams and stakeholder alignment. These abilities are crucial for delivering complex projects on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

What is the difference between Principal Project Engineer vs Project Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Project EngineerProject Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a Bachelor's degree in engineering and extensive experience; often professional engineer (PE) licenseBachelor's degree in engineering or related field; entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentLeads large projects, oversees teams, and coordinates with stakeholdersSupports project tasks, manages specific project segments, reports to senior engineers
Industry UsageCommon in construction, oil & gas, and infrastructure sectorsUsed across various engineering fields for project execution

The Principal Project Engineer holds a senior leadership role, overseeing entire projects and teams, while the Project Engineer focuses on specific project tasks and supports project management. Both roles require engineering credentials, but the Principal Project Engineer typically has more experience and responsibilities.

What is a principal project engineer?

Principal Project Engineers are senior-level professionals responsible for leading and managing complex engineering projects from conception to completion. They oversee project teams, coordinate resources, ensure adherence to technical standards, and communicate with stakeholders to deliver projects on time and within budget. Their role often involves high-level decision-making, risk management, and providing technical guidance to other engineers. Additionally, they may help set project strategies and ensure compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.
Principal Project Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Project Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,292 per year, or $69.9 per hour.

Senior Project Engineer

Peoples Associates Structural Engineers

Sacramento, CA • On-site

$121K - $136K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description

Job Summary
Oversees the structural design of projects, ensuring technical quality and coordination, and may be the engineer of record for projects. The Senior Project Engineer is a technical resource to the team and company; supervising and coaching Assistant and Project Engineers, participating in company-wide technical innovation, and supporting the development of technical resources.
Reports To: Project Manager, Associate, or Principal
Job Responsibilities
Structural Design
  • Oversees the structural design of projects, including the technical design, coordination, and quality.
  • May serve as the engineer of record for projects.
  • Performs quality control activities for projects, including projects for other engineers.
  • May provide direction and supervision of Construction Administration, or support for Construction Administration activities, when required.
  • Supports the resolution of technical issues and challenges that arise during the project life cycle.
  • Stays updated with the latest developments in structural engineering and lead new technologies and method implementation on projects.
  • Conducts and documents lessons learned at the end of projects. Presents the lessons learned to staff.

Supervision/Management
  • Supervises Project Engineers and Assistant Engineers, including their professional development.
  • Provides guidance and assistance to all Engineers and Technicians with design tasks, including reviewing of work.

Company Programs
  • Participates in company-wide technical innovation.
  • Supports the preparation of company reports and data collection.

Project Management
  • Assists in planning and organizing structural engineering projects.
  • Supports the preparation and management of project budgets, including assisting with preparation of job proposals.
  • May manage projects.

Marketing
  • Assists with identifying prospective clients and soliciting work.
  • Maintains positive relationships with clients during and after project completion. Coordinates these activities with a Principal, Associate, or other Project Manager.

Requirements
Qualifications
  • [minimum] Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering. [preferred] Master's degree in Structural Engineering.
  • At least 7+ years of design experience.
  • PE certification minimum in the state of their reporting office. SE license highly preferred.
  • Strong knowledge and understanding of Structural Engineering design, principals, and practices. Up to date on Structural Engineering codes, guidelines and standards as well as current industry-standard design philosophies.
  • Experience performing quality control activities, in accordance with PASE standards.
  • Experienced in project delivery, from conception to construction administration.
  • Ability to perform the role of technical project lead of large or complex projects.
  • Ability to supervise, teach and coach engineers.
  • Strong computer literacy, including Microsoft Office and cloud platforms (Sharepoint, Procore, etc.).
  • Deep experience in engineering analysis and design software, e.g. RISA-3E, ETABS, TEDDS, etc.
  • Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
  • Familiarity with project management and project administration.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Salary Description
$121,000-$136,000

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