Automation Engineer Jobs in San Diego, CA

Automation Engineer jobs in San Diego are in strong demand, concentrated in Sorrento Valley, Kearny Mesa, and the Torrey Pines corridor across defense, biotech, semiconductor, and advanced manufacturing. Employers hiring right now include Apple, ASML, and Eli Lilly. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.

Find Automation Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open roles341+
Top employerApple
Work type44% On-site
Top credentialBachelor of Science
Companies hiring23

Showing 5 of 341+ Automation Engineer jobs

Werfen
Staff Engineer, Verification Automation
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Werfen
New 20h ago
Staff Engineer, Verification Automation
Werfen
San Diego, California
Backend Engineering
Full-stack Engineering
Software Engineering
$150k - $185k/yr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
5,001-10,000

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ASML
Automation / Controls Engineer
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ASML
Added 1d ago
Automation / Controls Engineer
ASML
San Diego, California
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
$115k - $158k/yr
Remote (US)
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
10,000+

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Sony Interactive Entertainment
Software Engineer II Data Reliability & Automation (APIs)
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Sony Interactive Entertainment
Added 4d ago
Software Engineer II Data Reliability & Automation (APIs)
Sony Interactive Entertainment
San Diego, California
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Technical Program Management
$150k - $225k/yr
Hybrid
Master's degree
1,001-5,000

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PMAT Inc.
Network Automation Engineer - Tactical Networks Fleet Readiness and Sustainment (FRS)
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PMAT Inc.
Added 1w ago
Network Automation Engineer - Tactical Networks Fleet Readiness and Sustainment (FRS)
PMAT Inc.
San Diego, California
Software Engineering
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Product & Program Management
Technical Program Management
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in engineering

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California Sugar Refiners LLC
Automation and Systems engineer
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California Sugar Refiners LLC
Added 2w ago
Automation and Systems engineer
California Sugar Refiners LLC
San Diego, California
Factory & Production Work
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

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See All 341+ Automation Engineer Jobs in San Diego

Find roles in San Diego that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Automation Engineer Job Market in San Diego

Who's Hiring

  • Apple
    Apple49
  • ASML
    ASML24
  • Eli Lilly
    Eli Lilly24
  • Abbott
    Abbott12
  • Werfen
    Werfen12

Top Industries Hiring

  • Electronics & Hardware37
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals24
  • Aerospace & Defense12
  • Technology & Software12

Automation Engineer Jobs in San Diego: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get an automation engineer job in San Diego?

Focus your search on San Diego's defense contractors, biotech firms, and semiconductor manufacturers, which are the most active local hirers. Roles concentrate in Sorrento Valley, Kearny Mesa, and the Miramar corridor. Candidates who combine PLC programming or robotics experience with knowledge of regulated-industry validation requirements stand out, since both defense and life sciences employers place a premium on those skills.

Which companies hire automation engineers in San Diego?

San Diego automation engineer roles are posted by Apple, ASML, and Eli Lilly and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. The local market includes a mix of large defense primes, publicly traded biotech companies, and precision manufacturing suppliers that each maintain dedicated automation teams.

Are there remote automation engineer jobs in San Diego?

Yes, though opportunities vary: hands-on roles involving equipment programming, lab automation, or production floor work are almost always on-site, while controls design, system architecture, and validation documentation work can often be done remotely. About 56% of automation engineer openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with the flexible arrangements more common at software-driven automation and medical device firms than at defense or semiconductor sites.

How can I get an automation engineer job in San Diego with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path in San Diego is targeting junior controls or test engineer roles at mid-size biotech and contract electronics manufacturers, which hire more entry-level candidates than large defense primes. Internships at UC San Diego-affiliated research labs or local MedTech startups in the Torrey Pines area can also open the door. Familiarity with LabVIEW, Python scripting, or FDA validation protocols gives entry-level candidates a measurable edge with San Diego employers.

Which industries hire the most automation engineers in San Diego?

Most automation engineer openings in San Diego sit in Electronics & Hardware, Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, and Aerospace & Defense, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. San Diego's concentration of defense contractors, genomics and biopharmaceutical companies, and semiconductor design firms creates consistent demand for engineers who can build and maintain automated testing, manufacturing, and laboratory systems.

See All 341+ Automation Engineer Jobs in San Diego

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