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Road Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Kimley-Horn

Project Manager - Roadway

Riverside, CA · On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

Collaborate with the design team to develop detailed and efficient roadway designs that comply with Caltrans standards, municipal regulations, industry guidelines, and specific project specifications.

Kimley-Horn

Project Manager - Roadway

Orange, CA · On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

Collaborate with the design team to develop detailed and efficient roadway designs that comply with Caltrans standards, municipal regulations, industry guidelines, and specific project specifications.

Kimley-Horn

Project Manager - Roadway

Orange, CA · On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

Collaborate with the design team to develop detailed and efficient roadway designs that comply with Caltrans standards, municipal regulations, industry guidelines, and specific project specifications.

Kimley-Horn

Project Manager - Roadway

Riverside, CA · On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

Collaborate with the design team to develop detailed and efficient roadway designs that comply with Caltrans standards, municipal regulations, industry guidelines, and specific project specifications.

Kimley-Horn

Project Manager - Roadway

Riverside, CA · On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

Collaborate with the design team to develop detailed and efficient roadway designs that comply with Caltrans standards, municipal regulations, industry guidelines, and specific project specifications.

Kimley-Horn

Project Manager - Roadway

Orange, CA · On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

Collaborate with the design team to develop detailed and efficient roadway designs that comply with Caltrans standards, municipal regulations, industry guidelines, and specific project specifications.

Kimley-Horn

Project Manager - Roadway

Riverside, CA · On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

Collaborate with the design team to develop detailed and efficient roadway designs that comply with Caltrans standards, municipal regulations, industry guidelines, and specific project specifications.

Kimley-Horn

Project Manager - Roadway

Orange, CA · On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

Collaborate with the design team to develop detailed and efficient roadway designs that comply with Caltrans standards, municipal regulations, industry guidelines, and specific project specifications.

Essel

Civil 3D Designer

Oceanside, CA · On-site

Essel is looking for a skilled Civil 3D Designer to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will ... Generate accurate and detailed design drawings in Civil 3D, including grading plans, road ...

Essel

Civil 3D Designer

Oceanside, CA · On-site

Essel is looking for a skilled Civil 3D Designer to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will ... Generate accurate and detailed design drawings in Civil 3D, including grading plans, road ...

Essel

Civil 3D Designer

Oceanside, CA · On-site

Essel is looking for a skilled Civil 3D Designer to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will ... Generate accurate and detailed design drawings in Civil 3D, including grading plans, road ...

Bechtel

Strong working knowledge of civil/structural engineering principles (earthworks, drainage, roads, foundations, steel) and proficiency in 2D/3D CAD tools to independently develop complex designs and ...

Saturation

Production Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

A production designer is the head of the art department on a film, television, or commercial ... Fury Road are inseparable from the storytelling. Production design is not decoration. It is ...

Ford Motor Company

Product Designer

Palo Alto, CA · Hybrid

You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At ... Our team is comprised of a dynamic group of product designers, researchers, visual designers ...

Ford Motor Company

Product Designer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At ... Our team is comprised of a dynamic group of product designers, researchers, visual designers ...

Ford Motor Company

Product Designer

Palo Alto, CA · Hybrid

You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At ... Our team is comprised of a dynamic group of product designers, researchers, visual designers ...

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All JobsRoad Designer JobsRoad Designer Jobs in California

Road Designer information

See California salary details

$14

$23

$42

How much do road designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for road designer in California is $23.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.47 and $23.70 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a road designer do?

A Road Designer is a civil engineering professional who specializes in planning, designing, and overseeing the construction of roads, highways, and related infrastructure. They use engineering principles and software tools to create road layouts, ensure safety, manage drainage, and consider environmental and community impacts. Road Designers work closely with surveyors, construction teams, and government agencies to ensure that projects meet technical standards and regulatory requirements. Their work is essential for creating safe, efficient, and sustainable transportation networks.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a road designer?

To thrive as a Road Designer, you need a solid background in civil engineering principles, road geometry, and transportation planning, often supported by a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a related field. Proficiency with CAD software (such as AutoCAD Civil 3D), roadway design standards, and familiarity with GIS systems are typically required. Strong attention to detail, effective communication, and problem-solving abilities help you collaborate with stakeholders and address design challenges. These skills ensure safe, efficient, and compliant road designs that meet regulatory requirements and project goals.

What are some common challenges faced by road designers during the project lifecycle?

Road Designers often navigate challenges such as balancing technical requirements with environmental and community considerations. They must coordinate closely with civil engineers, surveyors, and local authorities to ensure designs meet safety standards and regulatory guidelines. Unforeseen site conditions or changes in client expectations can also require quick problem-solving and adaptability. Effective communication and strong project management skills are essential to keep projects on schedule and within budget.

What is the difference between Road Designer vs Civil Engineer?

AspectRoad DesignerCivil Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning roads, highways, and transportation infrastructurePlanning, designing, and overseeing a variety of infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, and buildings
Required CredentialsTypically a degree in civil engineering or transportation engineering; certifications varyDegree in civil engineering; professional engineer (PE) license often required
Work EnvironmentDesign offices, CAD software, field surveysConstruction sites, design offices, project management
Industry UsageSpecialized in transportation infrastructure designBroader infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, water systems

While both roles require civil engineering knowledge, a Road Designer specializes in creating detailed road and highway plans, often focusing on design and drafting. A Civil Engineer has a broader scope, managing various infrastructure projects from conception to completion. Both roles are essential in transportation projects but differ in scope and responsibilities.

How do you become a road designer?

To become a road designer, typically a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a related field is required. Gaining experience through internships and developing skills in design software like AutoCAD or Civil 3D is important, along with understanding transportation planning and roadway standards. Professional licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) can enhance career prospects and credibility in the field.

How much do road designers make?

Road designers typically earn a median annual salary of around $65,000 to $85,000, depending on experience, location, and education. Senior or specialized roles can pay over $100,000, especially with professional certifications and advanced skills in civil engineering and design software.

What are popular job titles related to Road Designer jobs in California?

For Road Designer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Road Designer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Road Designer jobs in California are:

Road Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Road Designer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, and 40% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $48,674 per year, or $23.4 per hour.

Open Roads Designer

West Advanced Technologies (WATI)

Alhambra, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

Position :OpenRoads Designer
Location: Fremont, CA
Duration: 12+ months
Skills Required:
Specialized functional and technical expertise for the configuration and support of Bentley Systems' OpenRoads Designer and its associated Bentley products. Skills to perform setup and configuration of OpenRoads Designer. These skilled in implementing best practices and CADD management procedures; Ability to develop, implement, and improve custom CADD civil workspaces, transportation standards for OpenRoads Designer that include but not limited to CivilCells, Feature Definitions, Graphical Filters, and Templates; Skilled in customizing OpenRoads Designer tools and scripts to improve work efficiency for highway and drainage designers; troubleshoot and resolve product issues; interact with Bentley support and developers to find and report software issues. Ability to provide guidance to project staff on OpenRoads Designer plotting and publishing. Skilled in OpenRoads Designer, drafting principles, computer aided engineering tools and methodology, management and configuration of OpenRoads Designer, applications architecture, functionality and delivery; Skilled in other Bentley Systems (e.g. MicroStation, OpenBridge Designer) and Autodesk (e.g. AutoCAD, Civil 3D) software and their interaction with OpenRoads Designer; IT service management processes; Skilled in Building Information Modelling (BIM) and its importance to civil engineering infrastructure.
7 years of experience in support and implementation of Bentley Systems' InRoads or OpenRoads Designer. Three (3) years of that experience in a lead capacity for OpenRoads Designer. Seven (7) years of experience in support and implementation of Bentley Systems' MicroStation v8i or CONNECT versions. Three (3) years of that experience in a lead capacity for MicroStation CONNECT. Seven (7) years of experience in support and implementation of Bentley Systems' ProjectWise. Five (5) years of that experience in a lead capacity.
Bachelor's degree in an IT-related or Engineering field. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
California candidates only. Work on as-need basis.
Regards,
Sangeetha
West Advanced Technologies, Inc.
Serving government agencies for 22 Years
E: sangeetha.p@wati.com, D: 279 895 6797
www.wati.com

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