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Temporary Engineer information

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$46

$86

How much do temporary engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for temporary engineer in California is $46.47, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35.34 and $60.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Temporary Engineers face when adapting to new projects or teams?

Temporary Engineers often move between projects and organizations, which means they must quickly acclimate to varying workflows, technologies, and team cultures. One common challenge is understanding project-specific procedures and expectations in a short timeframe. Additionally, building rapport with permanent team members can take extra effort, but a proactive approach and open communication help smooth the transition. Adapting quickly and demonstrating flexibility are key to succeeding in these dynamic environments.

What are temporary engineers?

Temporary engineers are professionals who are hired for a fixed duration or to complete specific projects within an organization. They typically fill short-term needs, such as covering staff absences, managing increased workloads, or contributing specialized expertise to projects. Temporary engineers may work through staffing agencies or be directly contracted by companies. Their roles and responsibilities are similar to permanent engineers, but their employment is limited to the duration of the contract. This arrangement offers flexibility for both the employer and the engineer.

What Are Temporary Jobs for an Engineer?

Temporary jobs for an engineer include mechanical and manufacturing roles in a variety of industries. In these jobs, you work for a company with temporary staffing needs. Job duties can vary widely, and many companies hire temporary engineers to work on short-term projects. As a temporary engineer, you may operate equipment, oversee manufacturing operations, and handle other duties as necessary. You typically work with teams to carry out design goals and meet deadlines. Other responsibilities include supervising project management tasks as well as teams of employees to fulfill organizational needs.

What is the difference between Temporary Engineer vs Contract Engineer?

AspectTemporary EngineerContract Engineer
CredentialsRelevant engineering certifications, sometimes entry-levelSimilar certifications, often with specialized skills
Work EnvironmentTypically on-site, project-based, short-termOn-site or remote, project-specific, fixed-term
Employer UsageUsed by companies for short-term needs or seasonal projectsEngaged for specific projects, often through staffing agencies

Temporary Engineers and Contract Engineers both fill short-term engineering roles, often requiring similar certifications and working in comparable environments. The main difference lies in terminology and contractual arrangements, with 'Temporary Engineer' emphasizing a short-term position directly with an employer, while 'Contract Engineer' often involves working through staffing agencies or on specific project contracts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Temporary Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Temporary Engineer, you generally need a relevant engineering degree, technical proficiency in your discipline, and prior hands-on experience in similar roles. Familiarity with industry-specific software (such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or MATLAB), safety protocols, and any required certifications like EIT or PE is highly valuable. Strong problem-solving, adaptability, and effective communication skills help temporary engineers quickly integrate into new teams and projects. These skills and qualifications are important because they enable engineers to contribute immediately and effectively in short-term assignments, ensuring project continuity and quality.
More about Temporary Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Temporary Engineer jobs in California? For Temporary Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Temporary Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Temporary Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Temporary Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Temporary Engineer job openings:
Temporary Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Temporary Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 90% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,657 per year, or $46.5 per hour.
Project Engineer - Infrastructure/Transportation

Project Engineer - Infrastructure/Transportation

Kiewit Corporation

Palm Springs, CA

$115K - $121K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago

Kiewit Corporation rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 133 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

20th of 78 rated construction

Job description

Requisition ID: 179848 

Job Level: Mid Level 

Home District/Group: Southern California District 

Department: Project Engineering 

Market: Water/Wastewater 

Employment Type: Full Time 
 

Position Overview

As a Project Engineer, you will be responsible for the administrative and technical aspects of constructing a project, managing a team of field and cost engineers. Do you have strong interpersonal and information management skills?  In this role, you will be the main conduit of information between the construction manager and the team for cost, revenue, cash flow information. Do you have strong mentorship skills?  You will have the opportunity to develop the people below you. If this sounds like a match for you, read on!

District Overview

Kiewit's Southern California District is one of Kiewit's leading infrastructure districts specializing in heavy civil projects that include earth moving, water/wastewater, transportation, roadways, and power projects. Most of our work is concentrated in the Southern California region, with some work in Hawaii.

Location

Kiewit's Southern California District is based out of the Santa Fe Springs, CA office, soon Costa Mesa, and supports projects throughout the Southern California region, building out project/construction schedules for all types of infrastructure work across the region.
Our culture is built on opportunity. We go where the work is-giving you access to exciting projects nationwide and endless chances to grow your career.
When you join us, you'll work on projects across the U.S. with relocation assistance or per diem and paid trips home. Plus, we offer personalized development plans to help you reach your goals and maximize your potential.
Check out our current project locations below-and stay tuned for even more as new opportunities unfold in 2026!
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Diego, CA
- Honolulu, HI
- Idaho Falls, ID
- Westlake, TX
- Medford, OR
- Gresham, OR
- Tucson, AZ
- Phoenix, AZ

Responsibilities

  Perform scheduling of the project
  Revenue, cost, and cash flow management
  Temp engineering
  Permanent design management and quality control
  Project closeout
  Client relations
  Assist in Operations planning
  Administer contracts and subcontracts

Qualifications


  Undergraduate degree in Construction Management, Construction Engineering or equivalent.
  5+ years' work experience in construction or engineering.
  Experience managing engineers.
  Ability to read, analyze and identify discrepancies on engineering plans, specifications, and contract documents.
  Highly motivated, with a demonstrated passion for excellence and taking initiative.
  Strong work ethic, willing to do what it takes to get the job done right the first time.
  Demonstrated commitment to ethics and integrity.
  Passion for safety, with the ability to help us ensure that nobody gets hurt.
  Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
  Team player with the ability to work independently to meet deadlines, goals and objectives.
  Strong organization, time management, and attention to detail.

#LI-JT1

Other Requirements:
    Regular, reliable attendance
    Work productively and meet deadlines timely
    Communicate and interact effectively and professionally with supervisors, employees, and others individually or in a team environment
    Perform work safely and effectively. Understand and follow oral and written instructions, including warning signs, equipment use, and other policies.
    Work during normal operating hours to organize and complete work within given deadlines. Work overtime and weekends as required.

Base Compensation: $115,938 - $121,459

(Actual compensation is subject to variation due to such factors as education, experience, skillset, and/or location)

We offer our fulltime staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that's among the best in our industry, including top-tier medical, dental and vision plans covering eligible employees and dependents, voluntary wellness and employee assistance programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with matching, and generous paid time off.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

What Kiewit Corporation employees say

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About Kiewit

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Kiewit Infrastructure Engineering's Design-Build team is driving clients to turn to Kiewit during all stages of design-build projects. Through our integrated design and construction approach, our multi-disciplinary team works together to improve schedule, control costs and minimize risk. Our construction-focused engineers work collaboratively with our estimators and builders to design solutions that are innovative, constructible, and designed with a focus on safety. Clients benefit from the proven processes and tools used by Kiewit to minimize project risk. We are an in-house resource that supports projects throughout the company. Our staff shares experiences gained, innovative concepts, and best practices for all projects that we support.

Industry

Construction materials wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Omaha, NE, US

Year founded

1884

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