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Senior Project Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Project Engineer

San Diego, CA

$105K - $137K/yr

Kitchell seeks an experienced and dedicated Project Engineer II / Sr. Project Engineer (DOE) to join our Southern California Regional in the City of San Diego and build a long-term career at one of ...

Senior Project Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$105K - $130K/yr

Are you a Senior Project Engineer with 6+ years of experience looking to grow your career? P2S is an award-winning engineering firm named "Best Place to Work " for the past 15 years. Employment Type ...

Sr. Project Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$85K - $110K/yr

SR. PROJECT ENGINEER The Sr. Project Engineer has the responsibility of assisting the Project Manager or Estimator. The Sr. Project Engineer reports to a supervising Project Manager. This position is ...

Senior Project Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$116K - $151K/yr

The Senior Project Engineer works within the Project Management Team which is responsible for planning and overseeing the project to ensure a timely and cost-effective outcome. This includes ...

Sr. Project Engineer

Irvine, CA

$106K - $138K/yr

SR. PROJECT ENGINEER The Sr. Project Engineer has the responsibility of assisting the Project Manager or Estimator. The Sr. Project Engineer reports to a supervising Project Manager. This position is ...

Senior Project Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$116K - $151K/yr

The Senior Project Engineer works within the Project Management Team which is responsible for planning and overseeing the project to ensure a timely and cost-effective outcome. This includes ...

Senior Project Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$105K - $130K/yr

Are you a Senior Project Engineer with 6+ years of experience looking to grow your career? P2S is an award-winning engineering firm named "Best Place to Work " for the past 15 years. Employment Type ...

Senior Project Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$106K - $139K/yr

The Senior Project Engineer works within the Project Management Team which is responsible for planning and overseeing the project to ensure a timely and cost-effective outcome. This includes ...

Senior Project Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$106K - $139K/yr

The Senior Project Engineer works within the Project Management Team which is responsible for planning and overseeing the project to ensure a timely and cost-effective outcome. This includes ...

Senior Project Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$116K - $151K/yr

The Senior Project Engineer works within the Project Management Team which is responsible for planning and overseeing the project to ensure a timely and cost-effective outcome. This includes ...

Senior Project Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$116K - $151K/yr

The Senior Project Engineer works within the Project Management Team which is responsible for planning and overseeing the project to ensure a timely and cost-effective outcome. This includes ...

Senior Project Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$105K - $137K/yr

Senior Project Engineer Area : San Diego, CA (On-Site) Shift : 1st Shift Job Summary : * Lead civil engineering and land development projects from planning through construction completion * Develop ...

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Showing results 1-20

Senior Project Engineer information

See California salary details

$65.6K

$113.3K

$154.9K

How much do senior project engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior project engineer in California is $113,263.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,700.00 and $127,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior project engineer?

Senior Project Engineers are experienced professionals responsible for overseeing and managing complex engineering projects from conception to completion. They coordinate between various teams, ensure project milestones are met, and address technical challenges that arise during the project lifecycle. Senior Project Engineers also play a key role in budgeting, quality assurance, and maintaining safety standards. Their expertise ensures that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and meet the required specifications.

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

To excel as a Senior Project Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering principles, project management, and relevant industry experience—often supported by a bachelor’s degree in engineering and a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Familiarity with project management software (such as MS Project or Primavera), CAD tools, and industry-specific standards is typically required. Leadership, effective communication, and problem-solving skills help distinguish top performers in this role. These skills and qualifications are essential for ensuring successful project delivery, team coordination, and compliance with technical and safety standards.

What are some common challenges senior project engineers face when managing cross-functional teams?

Senior Project Engineers often oversee projects that require collaboration among diverse teams such as design, procurement, and construction. A common challenge is aligning different priorities and communication styles, which can lead to misunderstandings or delays. To overcome this, Senior Project Engineers use strong leadership and organizational skills, facilitating clear communication and establishing structured workflows. Building trust and fostering a collaborative environment are essential for ensuring all team members work toward shared objectives and project milestones.

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

AspectSenior Project EngineerProject Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, 5+ years experience, professional engineering license often preferredBachelor's degree in engineering or related field, 1-3 years experience
Work EnvironmentLeading project teams, overseeing multiple phases, coordinating with clients and vendorsAssisting in project planning, executing tasks under supervision, supporting senior staff
Employer & Industry UsageConstruction, manufacturing, infrastructure projectsConstruction, civil engineering, industrial projects

Senior Project Engineers typically have more experience, advanced certifications, and leadership responsibilities compared to Project Engineers. They oversee entire projects, coordinate teams, and liaise with clients, whereas Project Engineers focus on supporting project execution under supervision. The roles are distinct but interconnected within engineering and construction industries.

What does a senior project engineer do?

A senior project engineer oversees the planning, design, and execution of engineering projects, ensuring they meet technical specifications, budgets, and deadlines. They coordinate with teams, manage resources, and often use project management tools to track progress while providing technical expertise and leadership throughout the project lifecycle.

What are the most commonly searched types of Project Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Project Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Senior Project Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Senior Project Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Project Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,263 per year, or $54.5 per hour.

Senior Project Engineer

Thousand Oaks, CA • On-site

Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Company
Construction • 11 - 50 employees

$104K - $135K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago


Job description

Application Instructions
(Hathaway Dinwiddie encourages interested applicants to apply directly, and will not consider solicitations from third-party recruiters for this position.)
Position Description
JOB SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:
BIM Coordination:
Experience with Autodesk Construction Cloud for project collaboration and document management.
Support project setup for 3D trade coordination
Experienced user in Autodesk Construction Cloud, Revizto, or Navisworks Manage
Facilitate communication and alignment between project teams, virtual builder leadership, and client stakeholders
Experience working in a fast-paced, project-driven environment with cross-functional teams.
Knowledgeable with migrating data across the following formats: DWG, RVT, NWC, NWD, NWF, IFC
SUMMARY
The Senior Project Engineer provides technical support to and under the direction of the Project Manager and Superintendent. A Senior Project Engineer's primary obligation is project document control. Additionally, the Senior Project Engineer should be competent in project administration, procurement, coordination, cost control, and scheduling tasks, as well as gain competence in cost control.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
1. Perform all Project Engineer job responsibilities with little or no guidance.
2. Supervise and mentor Interns, Project Engineers, and Project Coordinators on project.
3. Establish and manage the administrative requirements of a project in conformance with Project Management Procedures Manual.
4. Assist in preparations of bid packages and with subcontractor bidding as instructed by the directing manager.
5. Anticipate and input project costs into Vista. Assist with preparation of potential change orders. Review, negotiate, and provide backup documentation including source justification for subcontractor change requests.
6. Work with Project Manager to ensure that subcontractors comply with insurance and bonding requirements.
7. Collaborate with Superintendent to manage construction process. Regularly walk the project to verify performance relative to the Project Schedule and Owner's quality expectations. Take appropriate and timely action to remedy any deficiencies. Bring all field issues to the attention of the Superintendent or General Superintendent (as applicable).
8. Mentor and train Interns, Project Engineers, and Project Coordinators as appropriate for each project.
9. Demonstrate commitment to Zero Harm to People, Property, and Planet through own actions.
Position Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum of 3 years of experience as a Project Engineer. Basic competency of construction management software, document control, cost control process, and project scheduling. Good communication and interpersonal skills required.
Educational and experience requirements include: 4-year engineering, construction management or architectural degree or equivalent-related experience, plus experience/knowledge of construction, design, finance, and management. Beginning understanding of corporate and industry practices, processes, standards, etc. and their impact on project activities.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Position requires work in the field as well as in the office. Position requires personnel to wear personal protective equipment most of the day. Position can require lifting and handling of material on a frequent basis. Position must be able to traverse irregular and uneven terrain.
It is the policy of HDCCo to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination. Accordingly, HDCCo will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability so that they can perform the essential functions of a job unless doing so causes a direct threat to these individuals or others in the workplace and the threat cannot be eliminated by reasonable accommodation or if the accommodation creates an undue hardship to HDCCo.
WORK LOCATION
Employee is required to perform the functions for this position in person and on site. Certain hybrid work accommodations may be allowed as permitted by a client's requirements for performance of the work and as approved by the Employee's Supervisor in accordance with HDCCo Policy 702.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Company is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy to hire, promote, transfer, terminate and make all other employment related decisions without unlawful regard to an applicant or employee's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), national origin, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, family care leave status, veteran status, marital status or sexual orientation.
It is further the policy of Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Company to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act, and other federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination against applicants and employees with disabilities. Accordingly, the Company will reasonably accommodate applicants and employees with known physical or mental disabilities to the extent required by law. This reasonable accommodation policy extends to all services, programs, and facilities that are provided through employment with the Company. Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction reserves the right to modify, or make exceptions to, any of its existing policies or practices to the extent necessary to provide reasonable accommodations to an applicant or employee whom the Company knows to have a disability.
For San Francisco-based positions: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.