Project Engineer Jobs in Bakersfield, CA (NOW HIRING)

Senior Project Engineer

Type: Full-Time, W2 — Contract Assignment

Location: Los Angeles, CA (Remote) — with bi-weekly travel to Houston, TX; field assignment to Santa Clarita, CA beginning approximately month 9

Salary: $130,000–$165,000 DOE

About the Role

We are partnered with a leading national infrastructure and engineering services firm to recruit a Senior Project Engineer for a long-term contract assignment supporting a major regulated natural gas utility in Southern California. This is an owner’s engineer role — you will be embedded within the utility’s project execution team and serve as the technical and coordination lead between the client and their Houston-based engineering partner.

The initial office phase is conducted remotely, with bi-weekly in-person travel to Houston required throughout. At approximately month nine, the role transitions to a field-based assignment at the client’s gas storage facility in Santa Clarita, California, contingent on project team approval.

The right candidate brings substantial EPC execution experience in gas compression, storage, or analogous energy infrastructure and is comfortable working across both technical review and project coordination functions. Prior experience on natural gas utility capital programs — particularly with compression or storage systems — is the strongest differentiator for this role.

Key Responsibilities

Owner’s Representation & Project Coordination

•     Serve as the embedded owner’s engineer on a major gas compression modernization program, representing the client utility’s interests throughout engineering and execution

•     Travel bi-weekly to Houston, TX to oversee and coordinate deliverables from the external engineering partner

•     Monitor schedule, scope, and budget adherence; escalate deviations to the project management team

•     Review and accept engineering drawings, specifications, and technical submittals on behalf of the client

Technical Oversight

•     Apply gas compression and storage engineering expertise to evaluate design decisions and guide technical direction

•     Ensure all engineering work conforms to applicable utility standards, specifications, and regulatory requirements

•     Interface with utility stakeholders, equipment vendors, and engineering contractors across project phases

•     Support construction and commissioning activities at the Santa Clarita gas storage facility upon field mobilization

Documentation & Reporting

•     Maintain accurate records of engineering decisions, technical correspondence, and change order activity

•     Prepare and present regular project status updates to client leadership

•     Manage RFI and submittal workflows between the utility and the engineering partner organization

Qualifications

Required

•     10 or more years of experience in project engineering roles

•     Background in gas compression, gas storage, or closely related energy infrastructure

•     Demonstrated ability to represent the owner’s perspective and manage third-party engineering organizations

•     Availability to travel to Houston, TX on a bi-weekly basis for the duration of the assignment

Preferred

•     EPC project execution experience

•     Familiarity with natural gas utility engineering standards and operating procedures

•     Petrochemical refinery or process plant design experience — considered a strong advantage for this role

•     Upstream or midstream oil and gas project experience

Compensation & Employment

Employment Type: As a W2 employee of Innovation Consulting, you will be placed on assignment with our client for this engagement.

Assignment Duration: Initial office and travel phase of approximately 9 months, followed by a field assignment to Santa Clarita, CA for up to 24 additional months, contingent on project team approval. Total initial engagement: up to 33 months. Strong expectation exists for continuation onto subsequent client projects, with total engagement potentially extending to five or more years for the right candidate.

Salary: $130,000–$165,000 DOE

Location: Los Angeles, CA (Remote through field transition) — bi-weekly travel to Houston, TX required. Relocation required if not a commutable distance from Los Angeles, CA.

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 40 hours per week

Benefits: Innovation Consulting offers competitive W2 compensation and benefits eligibility on long-term assignments.

Innovation Consulting LLC is an equal opportunity employer and recruiter. We review candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.