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Senior Civil Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

City of Morro Bay

Senior Civil Engineer

Morro Bay, CA · On-site

$123K - $150K/yr

We are seeking a talented and experienced civil engineering professional to lead and oversee a diverse range of infrastructure projects that will shape the future of our city. As a Senior Civil ...

W3Global Inc.

Senior Civil Engineer - Land Development

Folsom, CA · On-site

$95K - $125K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Senior Civil Engineer - Land DevelopmentAbout the Company Company is a growing and competitive ... This role is responsible for project execution, client management, engineering design oversight ...

City of Ventura

SENIOR CIVIL ENGINEER

Ventura, CA · On-site

$92K - $124K/yr

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS This is the first line supervision class in the professional engineering series. The Senior Civil Engineer is distinguished from the Civil Engineer class by the greater ...

City of Ventura

SENIOR CIVIL ENGINEER

Ventura, CA · On-site

$92K - $124K/yr

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS This is the first line supervision class in the professional engineering series. The Senior Civil Engineer is distinguished from the Civil Engineer class by the greater ...

W3Global Inc.

Senior Civil Engineer

Roseville, CA

$55 - $75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Roseville, CA Employment Type: Full-time, On-site, $55- $75/hr A well-established civil engineering consultancy in the Roseville area is seeking a Senior Civil Engineer to take a lead role on land ...

City of Ventura

Senior Civil Engineer

Ventura, CA · On-site

$122K - $163K/yr

Senior Civil Engineer Applications are accepted exclusively through the City of Ventura Career Site ... Design Oversight & QA/QC: Review engineering plans, specifications, and technical documents to ...

Qcells

Senior Civil Engineer - Level 4

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

$145K - $170K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

Senior Civil Engineer Level 4 Department ... Engineering Center Location: Irvine, CA Supervisor: Manager of Civil/Structural Engineering FLSA ...

Cityofventura

Senior Civil Engineer

Ventura, CA · Hybrid

$122K - $163K/yr

Senior Civil Engineer Applications are accepted exclusively through the City of Ventura Career Site ... Design Oversight & QA/QC: Review engineering plans, specifications, and technical documents to ...

County of Monterey

Senior Civil Engineer

Salinas, CA

$11K - $15K/mo

The engineering services section provides engineering and review services for discretionary and ... The Senior Civil Engineer reports to the Chief of Building and oversees and manages a team of ...

Jobtailor

Senior Civil Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$160.65 - $183.60/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Senior Civil Engineer - Transportation Group STV is seeking a Senior Civil Engineer for the ... Lead and manage civil engineering projects from conceptualization through to completion, ensuring ...

City of Petaluma, CA

Associate/Senior Civil Engineer

Petaluma, CA · On-site

$122K - $163K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

The City is seeking accomplished professionals who are committed to engineering excellence and ... The selected candidate will be hired at the Associate Engineer or Senior Civil Engineer level ...

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All JobsCivil Engineering JobsSenior Civil Engineering JobsSenior Civil Engineering Jobs in California

Senior Civil Engineering information

See California salary details

$51.3K

$106.7K

$148.5K

How much do senior civil engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior civil engineering in California is $106,673.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,900.00 and $126,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior civil engineer do?

A Senior Civil Engineer is responsible for leading and overseeing engineering projects related to infrastructure such as roads, bridges, buildings, and water systems. They manage project teams, develop detailed designs, ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations, and coordinate with clients, contractors, and other stakeholders. Senior Civil Engineers often provide expert guidance, mentor junior staff, and play a key role in budgeting, scheduling, and problem-solving throughout the project lifecycle.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior civil engineer?

To thrive as a Senior Civil Engineer, you need a strong background in civil engineering principles, project management, and a relevant engineering degree with a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Expertise in software such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and project management tools, along with knowledge of local building codes, is typically required. Leadership, effective communication, and problem-solving skills help in managing teams and collaborating with stakeholders. These skills ensure the successful delivery of complex infrastructure projects, compliance with regulations, and efficient team coordination.

How does a senior civil engineer typically collaborate with other departments on large-scale projects?

Senior Civil Engineers frequently work cross-functionally, coordinating with architects, project managers, contractors, and municipal officials to ensure project goals are met efficiently and safely. They often lead multidisciplinary teams, facilitate regular meetings, and manage communication between stakeholders to resolve technical challenges and keep projects on schedule. Successful collaboration requires strong leadership, problem-solving skills, and the ability to translate technical requirements for non-engineering colleagues.

What is the difference between Senior Civil Engineering vs Civil Engineering?

AspectSenior Civil EngineeringCivil Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, 5+ years experience, professional engineer (PE) license often preferredBachelor's degree in civil engineering, entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentProject management, team leadership, overseeing complex projectsDesign, analysis, site inspections, supporting project teams
Employer & Industry UsageConsulting firms, government agencies, construction companiesEngineering firms, construction, infrastructure development

Senior Civil Engineering roles involve leadership, project oversight, and advanced technical responsibilities, often requiring a PE license and extensive experience. Civil Engineering positions are more focused on design, analysis, and supporting project execution, suitable for early to mid-career professionals.

What are the most commonly searched types of Civil Engineering jobs in California?

The most popular types of Civil Engineering jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Civil Engineering jobs in California?

For Senior Civil Engineering jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Civil Engineering jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Civil Engineering jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Senior Civil Engineering jobs?

Cities in California with the most Senior Civil Engineering job openings:

Senior Civil Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Civil Engineering job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $106,673 per year, or $51.3 per hour.

Senior Civil Engineer

American Society of Civil Engineers

Rialto, CA • On-site

$140 - $171/hr

Other

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

New

Job description

The Position

The City of Rialto is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and forward-thinking Senior Civil Engineer to help deliver one of Southern California's most ambitious municipal capital improvement programs. This is an outstanding opportunity for an engineering professional who enjoys balancing technical expertise with project leadership, team development, and cross-departmental collaboration.

Reporting to the City Engineer, the Senior Civil Engineer serves as a key member of the Engineering Division, leading complex public infrastructure projects from concept through construction while mentoring staff, managing consultants, and helping shape the City's long-term capital investment strategy.

With nearly $400 million in active and completed Capital Improvement Projects, the next Senior Civil Engineer will help deliver projects that improve transportation, public facilities, stormwater infrastructure, parks, and private development throughout one of the Inland Empire's fastest-growing communities.

The next Senior Civil Engineer will serve as a trusted advisor and program leader, helping guide projects through planning, design, bidding, construction, and closeout while ensuring quality, schedule, budget, and stakeholder expectations remain aligned.

The Senior Civil Engineer will play a leadership role in advancing several important organizational initiatives, including:

  • Delivering approximately $120 million in active Capital Improvement Program projects.
  • Managing construction engineering and inspection services for public infrastructure and private development projects.
  • Improving the efficiency of right-of-way permitting and development review.
  • Coordinating engineering review for Planning and Building projects.
  • Developing and implementing the City's comprehensive Five-Year Capital Improvement Program.
  • Strengthening project management practices and consultant oversight.
  • Developing engineering staff while fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications include graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in civil engineering, or a related field, and four years of progressively responsible civil engineering experience, including at least two years managing engineering projects. Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of California.

Compensation and Benefits

The annual base salary for the Senior Civil Engineer isup to $155,010.00 plus an additional 7.5% for a master’s, doctorate degree or specialized certificate. In addition, the City of Rialto offers a competitive compensation package including retirement, health benefits, paid leave, and professional development opportunities which can be viewed here.

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