Senior Heavy Civil Project Engineer - Caltrans​/Public Works

Heavy Civil Construction Engineer

Department: Construction, Engineering, & Skilled Trades

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: California

Compensation: $200,000 - $225,000 / year

Job Description
Title Heavy Civil Construction Engineer
Location Anaheim / Orange County, California
Compensation $200,000 target base, with flexibility up to $225,000 for the right candidate

About the Opportunity Our client is a family-owned heavy civil contractor in Southern California with a long-tenured team and a strong reputation in public infrastructure. The company delivers complex public works projects built to Caltrans specifications and is known for stability, low turnover, and a practical field-oriented culture.

Typical project types include:

• Bridge construction
• Freeway widening
• Retaining walls
• Pump stations
• Large structural concrete infrastructure
• Seismic-resistant public works projects

Position Summary This role is ideal for a contractor-side heavy civil professional who understands how to execute Caltrans-driven public works projects from both a field and financial perspective. The right person will bring strong experience in project execution, budgeting, crew leadership, and day-to-day coordination on large infrastructure work.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead or support execution of heavy civil and public works projects built to Caltrans standards
• Manage project budgets, cost tracking, forecasting, and overall financial performance
• Oversee field operations and help drive safe, efficient project delivery
• Coordinate crews, subcontractors, schedules, and project resources
• Support project planning, documentation, change management, and client coordination
• Help ensure compliance with contract documents, specifications, quality standards, and public agency requirements

Required Background

• 10+ years of construction experience
• Experience working for a contractor, not a design or consulting organization
• Strong background in heavy civil or public works construction
• Caltrans specification experience
• Budget ownership or meaningful project financial responsibility
• Crew management and field operations exposure
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship
• Clean driving record preferred due to company vehicle eligibility

Preferred Project Experience

• Bridges
• Freeway widening or highway work
• Retaining walls
• Pump stations
• Large concrete structures
• Seismic or transportation infrastructure

Preferred Titles / Profile Strong candidates may come from backgrounds such as:

• Project Engineer
• Senior Project Engineer
• Project Manager
• Contractor-side Resident Engineer

Candidates from major or well-regarded infrastructure contractors are especially relevant, particularly those with direct Caltrans project execution experience.

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid health insurance for the employee
• 50% family health coverage
• 401(k)
• Profit-sharing plan
• Company vehicle