San Diego’s construction pipeline spans major commercial developments, multifamily housing, and civil infrastructure projects that demand seasoned Project Engineers. Amundson Group specializes in connecting top-tier engineering talent with builders and GCs across the region, faster and with deeper vetting than traditional recruiting.
What Amundson Group does for Project Engineer hiring in San Diego
Amundson Group conducts retained search for construction companies and general contractors across San Diego who need to fill Project Engineer roles. We don’t post job listings and wait; we proactively source, screen, and present candidates who match your team’s culture, technical depth, and growth trajectory.
Our process combines industry expertise with custom AI-assisted screening. We review candidate resumes, verify construction experience, assess technical competency, and conduct reference calls before any introduction to your team. This reduces time-to-hire and eliminates low-fit candidates early. We’ve built a long-term referral network of Project Engineers across California, many of whom are open to conversations but not actively job hunting.
In San Diego, Project Engineer base salaries typically range from $95,000 to $135,000, depending on experience level, project complexity, and firm size. Candidates with 5+ years of multi-trade coordination, budget tracking, and schedule management command the higher end. Our Salary Guide is updated quarterly with real placement data across construction disciplines, so you can benchmark accurately.
San Diego’s construction market, what’s driving demand for Project Engineers
San Diego’s construction sector is diverse and resilient. The city has strong activity in commercial office and retail, multifamily residential (driven by housing demand and urban infill), civil and heavy highway work (including transit and utility upgrades), and light industrial/flex space. This mix creates consistent demand for mid-level engineering talent.
Key demand drivers include population growth, urban redevelopment initiatives, and infrastructure investment in the greater San Diego County region. Project Engineers are critical to these sectors because they bridge project management and field execution, tracking budgets, schedules, material deliveries, and quality control on behalf of the general contractor and owner.
The challenge for San Diego builders is retention and talent availability. Competition from Los Angeles, Orange County, and out-of-state markets means experienced Project Engineers are recruited frequently. Firms that can move quickly on placements and offer clear advancement paths win.
Project Engineer salary in San Diego (2026)
Based on our latest placement data, Project Engineers in San Diego earned base salaries in the range of $95,000 to $135,000 in 2026, with most mid-career placements landing between $105,000 and $125,000. Factors influencing the range include:
– Experience level: 2-3 years of experience typically starts at $95K, $110K; 5+ years reaches $120K, $135K.
– Project size and complexity: Highway/heavy civil and large commercial projects tend to pay 10-15% above smaller commercial or residential work.
– Firm size and stability: Established regional GCs and national firms often offer higher base plus bonus; smaller firms may compete on project variety or schedule flexibility.
For a comprehensive view of compensation across construction roles in California, review our Salary Guide.
Why San Diego construction companies work with Amundson Group
Speed matters in construction recruiting. When you need a Project Engineer to start in 4-6 weeks, posting a job and sifting through 50+ unvetted applications isn’t viable. We maintain an active pipeline of candidates and can present qualified profiles within days.
Our AI-assisted screening process filters for technical fit, relevant project experience, software skills (Procore, Touchplan, etc.), and familiarity with your sector (commercial, civil, industrial, or energy). We verify employment history and gather references before submission, so your team spends time only on serious candidates.
We also bring sector-specific counsel. We understand the differences between a commercial high-rise Project Engineer and a heavy highway coordinator. We know which candidates stay, which ones are flight risks, and what compensation and culture factors matter most to retain talent in San Diego’s competitive market.
Construction firms nationwide, from boutique GCs to publicly traded builders, trust Amundson Group because we treat recruiting as a partnership, not a transaction.
Hire a Construction Project Engineer in San Diego
Ready to fill your Project Engineer role? Contact Amundson Group to discuss your needs. We’ll build a candidate profile, source qualified professionals, and move you toward placement in weeks. Or explore open construction jobs if you’re a candidate interested in San Diego opportunities.