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Transportation Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Trilon Group

Transportation Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Transportation Engineer Department: Engineering Employment Type: Full Time Location: Los Angeles, CA Compensation: $100,000 - $130,000 / year Description Alta is looking for an Active Transportation ...

Trilon

Transportation Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

$83K - $110K/yr

Alta is looking for an Active Transportation Engineer to join our growing design team in our Los Angeles, California office. This mid-career role is a fantastic opportunity for someone passionate ...

HDR

Transportation Engineer

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$82K - $109K/yr

HDR has an opportunity for a Transportation Engineer to work with a team of professionals in planning, designing, and supporting construction of interstates and highways, urban streets and ...

HDR

Transportation Engineer

Sacramento, CA

$82K - $109K/yr

HDR has an opportunity for a Transportation Engineer to work with a team of professionals in planning, designing, and supporting construction of interstates and highways, urban streets and ...

Wallace Group

Transportation Engineer I

San Luis Obispo, CA · On-site

$83K - $110K/yr

transportation engineer I Come join a dynamic and fun-loving team that takes pride in their planning and design work on the beautiful California Central Coast! We focus on our purpose with integrity ...

Wallace Group

Transportation Engineer I

San Luis Obispo, CA · On-site

$89K - $102K/yr

transportation engineer I Come join a dynamic and fun-loving team that takes pride in their planning and design work on the beautiful California Central Coast! We focus on our purpose with integrity ...

PTR Global

Transportation Engineer I

San Luis Obispo, CA · On-site

$89K - $102K/yr

Transportation Engineer I Location: San Luis Obispo, California Duration: Contract Pay Range: $89K - $102K/yr Job ID: 176904 Job Overview: The Transportation Engineer I will assist the Project ...

EPD Solutions, Inc

Senior Transportation Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$112K - $154K/yr

About the Position The Sr. Transportation Engineer will play an integral role in the daily operations of the company and contribute to its overall success. This position will support the Technical ...

Toole Design

Senior Transportation Engineer

Oakland, CA · On-site

$150K - $171K/yr

We're looking for a Senior Engineer to join our team in Oakland, CA: someone who is excited to lead impactful roadway and active transportation projects that reflect our mission and values. Why You ...

Toole Design

Senior Transportation Engineer

Oakland, CA · Hybrid

$150K - $171K/yr

We're looking for a Senior Engineer to join our team in Oakland, CA: someone who is excited to lead impactful roadway and active transportation projects that reflect our mission and values. Why You ...

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All JobsTransportation Engineer JobsTransportation Engineer Jobs in California

Transportation Engineer information

See California salary details

$52.8K

$89.9K

$125.3K

How much do transportation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for transportation engineer in California is $89,904.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,500.00 and $101,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior transportation engineers with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership roles can reach or exceed a $500,000 annual salary, especially in high-cost-of-living areas or consulting firms. Achieving this level often requires specialized skills, project management expertise, and a strong professional reputation.

What Do Transportation Engineers Do?

Transportation engineers plan, design, and implement transportation systems. Transportation engineers consider traffic, population, and other factors to determine the need for a new form of transportation, such as train lines, buses, subways, or new roads, in a specific area or region. They identify methods for incorporating the new form of transportation to reduce local traffic, meet the needs of the community, and fit into the designated budget. Transportation engineers are vital parts of the team that designs public transportation paths and creates highways, bridges, and other structures that enable transportation. Similar job titles include construction engineer, transportation planner, port engineer, and traffic engineer.

What are some common challenges Transportation Engineers encounter when working on large infrastructure projects?

Transportation Engineers working on large infrastructure projects often face challenges such as coordinating with multiple stakeholders, managing tight deadlines, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Balancing safety, cost, and environmental impact can also be complex, especially when projects require innovative solutions or community engagement. Effective communication and adaptability are key, as engineers frequently collaborate with urban planners, contractors, and government agencies to deliver successful outcomes.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior transportation engineers with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and specialized skills can earn $200,000 or more annually, especially in high-cost-of-living areas or with leadership roles. Achieving this salary often requires a combination of technical expertise, project management, and years of industry experience.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior transportation engineers with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and specialized skills in traffic modeling or infrastructure planning can reach annual salaries of $300,000 or more, especially in high-cost regions or consulting roles. Such positions often require a combination of technical expertise, project management, and leadership responsibilities.

What does a Transportation Engineer do?

A Transportation Engineer designs, plans, and manages transportation systems such as roads, bridges, and traffic flow to ensure safety and efficiency. They analyze traffic data, develop infrastructure projects, and often use tools like CAD software, requiring knowledge of engineering principles and relevant regulations.

What is the difference between Transportation Engineer vs Civil Engineer?

AspectTransportation EngineerCivil Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Civil Engineering or Transportation Engineering; Professional Engineer (PE) license often preferredBachelor's in Civil Engineering; PE license often required
Work EnvironmentDesigning transportation systems, traffic management, roadway planningBroader infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, buildings
Industry UsageFocused on transportation infrastructure and traffic systemsWide range of infrastructure projects including transportation

Transportation Engineers specialize in designing and managing transportation systems, while Civil Engineers have a broader scope covering various infrastructure projects. Both roles often require similar credentials and work in related environments, but Transportation Engineers focus specifically on traffic flow, roadway design, and transit systems.

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

To thrive as a Transportation Engineer, you need a solid background in civil engineering principles, traffic flow analysis, and transportation planning, usually supported by a bachelor's degree in civil or transportation engineering and an EIT or PE license. Familiarity with design software such as AutoCAD, MicroStation, and traffic modeling tools like SYNCHRO or VISSIM is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with stakeholders and deliver successful projects. These abilities are essential to designing safe, efficient transportation systems and ensuring regulatory compliance in infrastructure development.
More about Transportation Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Transportation Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Transportation Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Transportation Engineer jobs in California? For Transportation Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Transportation Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Transportation Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Transportation Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Transportation Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Transportation Engineer jobs in CA? For Transportation Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Transportation Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Transportation Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,904 per year, or $43.2 per hour.
Transportation Engineer

Transportation Engineer

Trilon Group

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Transportation Engineer
Department: Engineering
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Compensation: $100,000 - $130,000 / year
Description
Alta is looking for an Active Transportation Engineer to join our growing design team in our Los Angeles, California office. This mid-career role is a fantastic opportunity for someone passionate about sustainable transportation in bike and pedestrian infrastructure and eager to advance their career. In this position, you will work on a wide variety of projects focused on transforming communities through multimodal transportation solutions, including complete street reconfigurations, bikeway designs, complex trails, intersection improvements, ADA compliant and high function pedestrian facilities and other innovative transportation solutions. You'll work on both large- and small-scale projects and contribute to plans and designs that make a real impact on the safety and accessibility of communities across California and the country.
In this role, you'll collaborate with our multidisciplinary team of engineers, landscape architects, planners, graphics designers, outreach specialists, and data analysts while performing task lead and Assistant Project Management roles. You'll be mentored by industry leaders and have the opportunity to engage with complex design challenges, working across scales from conceptual design to detailed plans and specifications. You will mentor entry level staff and have the opportunity to have meaningful contribution in training, onboarding, and process improvement. If you are looking for a chance to grow your skills in a dynamic, collaborative environment and contribute to meaningful transportation projects, apply with Alta today!
About Alta
Alta is a mission‑driven company working to mitigate climate change and advance safety and social justice by shaping sustainable, people‑centered communities. We bring together expertise across planning, design, engineering, education and encouragement programs, and community engagement to help communities thrive. Our work is grounded in the belief that how places are designed and experienced has a profound impact on equity, health, and opportunity-and that people should always be at the heart of those decisions.
Founded in 1996, Alta was at the forefront of the active transportation movement and has spent nearly 30 years partnering with communities to imagine a more connected, resilient, and inclusive future. Today, with more than 225 staff across the United States and beyond, we are a global leader in creating environments that support everyday life, strengthen human connection, and respond to the challenges of a changing world. Alta offers the opportunity to collaborate across disciplines, contribute to meaningful work at every scale, and be part of a team committed to making lasting, positive change for people and the places they call home.
Day to Day
  • Designing and delivering a variety of multimodal transportation projects, including complete streets, bikeway design, intersection improvements, ADA compliant and high function pedestrian facilities, and other innovative transportation solutions.
  • Working on project tasks like geometric layout, grading, drainage, signing and striping, multi-disciplinary coordination, green infrastructure, construction staging, and more.
  • Assist the Project Manager on day to day task by helping as a task lead or Assistant Project Manager
  • Developing high-quality design documents, including Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) for bid-ready packages.
  • Develop concept level alternatives that consider feasibility, use, and impacts.
  • Participating in site visits to investigate existing conditions, observe construction activities, and inform design decisions.
  • Leading and supporting project coordination meetings with clients, consultants, and internal teams.
  • Begin to assist the Project Manager with technical write-ups, memos, scope and budgets, and schedule updates.

Qualifications
Required:
  • 5-7 years of experience in transportation engineering or a related field, with a preference for experience in a consulting environment or public sector.
  • Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, or a related field from an ABET/EAC-accredited program.
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license.
  • Proficiency in AutoCAD; experience with Civil 3D, or similar civil engineering software is a plus. Previous MicroStation, OpenRoads experience is preferred.
  • Strong background in transportation design, including experience with multimodal transportation solutions, complete streets, bikeway design, pedestrian improvements, and related projects.
  • Ability to design, manage, and deliver project tasks such as geometric layout, grading, drainage, green infrastructure, construction staging, and interdisciplinary coordination.
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with clients, contractors, and multidisciplinary teams.
  • Proven ability to lead or coordinate project tasks, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines and budget constraints.

Preferred:
  • Master's degree in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, or a related field.
  • Experience with project management, including coordinating teams, preparing scopes of work, budgets, and schedules.
  • Familiarity with Deltek VantagePoint or similar project management software.
  • Willingness to travel as needed for site visits and client meetings

What We Offer
Flexible Schedule
Alta offers a flexible, hybrid work schedule where most employees work from home three days per week. In-office days support our collaborative culture, one of our core values.
Compensation
The pay range for this job in Los Angeles is $100,000-$130,000 annually. Placement within the range is based upon experience, skill-sets, and qualifications.
Benefits
Alta offers comprehensive benefits to all full-time employees:
  • Medical: PPO or HSA medical plans, Alta pays 75% of the cost
  • Dental/Vision: PPO, Alta pays 90% of the cost
  • Life Insurance: Alta pays 100% of the premium for life and AD&D, equal to your base compensation
  • 401(k): Alta provides a match up to 3%
  • PTO: 21 days accrued annually to start
  • Holidays: 11 total company paid holidays
  • Paid Parental Leave/Short-Term Disability
  • Additional Benefits: Wellness reimbursement up to $800 annually, Alta Gets Around benefit of up to $900 annually, 5-year travel award, and professional development opportunities

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