Overview
The state of California offers various engineering careers to support agencies across the state.
Engineers in state government can conduct emissions testing and research activities, design public infrastructure, install power and electrical systems, and more. Engineers play an important role in supporting an agency’s ability to meet its mission and keep people across California safe.
Engineering professionals come from many backgrounds, but they all share interest in using their skills to support the state of California. Whether you are a recent graduate, a current student, or an experienced professional, California state government offers many meaningful career opportunities.
What You Might Work On
In California state government, professionals in this field often:
- Recommend design and construction solutions, preservation techniques and the application of building codes
- Provide contract management, project management, technical support, and the development of software used for systems and facilities
- Conduct safety inspections, investigations and consultations related to construction, electrical and industrial occupational safety and health
Is This a Good Fit?
While roles and responsibilities vary, you might enjoy this field if you:
- Like thinking about how to fix broken systems and processes
- Enjoy planning, organizing, coordinating and directing the work of a team
- Want to design infrastructure for public use
Job Classifications
What are job classifications?
Job classifications map to specific job titles found across California state government. A corresponding code maps to the required exam for that classification. For example, 00103583 is the code for exams that correspond to the Mechanical Engineer title.
How to use them:
You can use the job classifications to search for positions on CalCareers in the classification section within the advanced search filter. You can also use key words to find roles in the search bar on the home page. Below is a list of common examples, but additional roles and classifications can be found on CalCareers.
| Exam Code | Classification Name | Common Keywords | What You’ll Do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00103204 | Civil Engineer | Engineer, Civil Engineer | • Prepare engineering design documents, specifications and estimates for various types of onshore and offshore construction and maintenance projects, including buildings, bridges, roads, wharves, pipelines, dams and other vital structures • Prepare maps, plans, charts and diagrams • Plan and direct the work of survey parties • Make foundation studies and lay out water mains, sewers, sewage structures, outfalls, disposal plants and drainage systems • Inspect structures under construction and provide construction oversight |
| 00103583 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineer, Mechanical Engineer | • Contribute to the design, plans and specifications for mechanical systems in dams, electrical power and pumping plants, substations, radio stations, highways, tunnels, bridges, and institutional and office buildings • Prepare designs, detailed drawings and specifications for mechanical systems such as heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, refrigeration, plumbing, water supply, and sanitary and drainage systems • Make detailed field inspections of material, equipment and construction operations • Make or supervise the installation, repair or recommended improvements of mechanical equipment or systems. |
| 00103848 | Sanitary Engineer | Engineer, Sanitary Engineer | • Perform or supervise health-related investigations, studies, and other engineering and regulatory activities involving domestic water supply, sewage disposal and wastewater reuse, treatment systems, distribution and collection systems, recycled water systems and recreational waters • Review or supervise the review of plans for water treatment plants, domestic water collection and distribution systems, wastewater treatment facilities, and disposal or reuse to determine compliance with health and engineering standards and regulations • Work on engineering calculations, designs, drawings, maps and other engineering documents • Prepare or review reports and recommendations on permit requests for the construction or modification of water treatment plants, distribution and collection systems • Review and comment on Environmental Impact Reports involving water and wastewater treatment systems |
| 00103964 | Associate Architect | Architect, Associate Architect | • Help clients derive, plan or develop architectural plans and elevations, materials, colors and finishes • Manage projects that are architectural in nature, emphasizing the coordination of architectural features with the various engineering disciplines during the development stage • Coordinate architectural and engineering features during the construction phases, working with the contractor and related personnel |
| 00103981 | Landscape Architect | Architect, Landscape Architecture | • Work on environmental planning and design involving the location and arrangement of natural and man-made elements and features on the Earth’s surface • Offer professional services such as consultation, investigation, reconnaissance, research, land-use planning, visual impact assessments and design • Prepare plans to control land uses and to preserve and enhance natural and historic resources |
Where You Could Work
State government is broad—so where do you start?
One approach is to focus on a type of role. Another is to focus on a mission area or the kind of impact you want to have (i.e., in public health, education, transportation or elsewhere).
Keep in mind: Mission areas often span multiple agencies, so you may find relevant roles in places you wouldn’t expect!
Professionals in this field work across many state agencies, depending on the mission area, including:
- Electric energy and infrastructure: California Public Utilities Commission
- Occupational safety: California Department of Industrial Relations
- School construction and design: California Department of General Services
- Storm water collection and treatment: California Department of Parks and Recreation
Examples of California Agencies With Engineering
Did you know you could have an engineering career at one of these agencies? Note: This is not an exhaustive list of all the options in California state government but a helpful starting place as you begin exploring your future in engineering.
| Agency Name |
|---|
| California Department of Conservation |
| California Department of Consumer Affairs |
| California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection |
| California Department of General Services |
| California Department of Healthcare Access and Information |
| California Department of Industrial Relations |
| California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery |
| California Department of Transportation |
| California Department of Water Resources |
| California High Speed Rail Authority |
Sample Positions
Civil Engineer [00103204]
| Employer / agency | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
|---|---|
| Location(s) | San Diego County |
| Mission context | The mission of California State Parks is to support the health, inspiration and education of Californians by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. |
In this role, you may:
- Prepare technical designs, including plans, specifications and estimates for roads, parking areas, bridges, piers, retaining walls and utility connections
- Obtain permits for construction projects, conduct field investigations, and prepare cost analysis and progress reports
Transportation Electrification Engineer [00103583]
| Employer / agency | California Energy Commission |
|---|---|
| Location(s) | Sacramento County |
| Mission context | The California Energy Commission was established to address energy challenges facing the state. The CEC is the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency and is leading the state to a 100% clean-energy future. |
In this role, you may:
- Conduct technical analyses and perform project management in focus areas including transportation electrification, vehicle-grid integration and zero-emission vehicles
- Perform engineering assessments and research, research solicitation development and management, market and technology transfer, and advisement
Loss Prevention Engineer [00103929]
| Employer / agency | California State Compensation Insurance Fund |
|---|---|
| Location(s) | Sonoma County |
| Mission context | State Fund is California’s largest provider of workers’ compensation insurance. They offer diverse and comprehensive products and services that provide a strong and stable option for employers and injured employees with fast, reliable claims service and medical and indemnity benefits. |
In this role, you may:
- Evaluate workplace hazards using scoring methodologies to develop specific recommendations for policyholders
- Communicate risk assessments and correspondence according to safety and health policy procedure
