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, Eli Lilly, and Amazon. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.

Find Automation Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open roles375+
Top employerApple
Work type77% On-site
Top credentialBachelor of Science
Companies hiring19

Showing 5 of 375+ Automation Engineer jobs

NXP Semiconductors
AI/ML Driven ASIC Design and Implementation Automation Engineer
We won't show you this job again
NXP Semiconductors
Added 1d ago
AI/ML Driven ASIC Design and Implementation Automation Engineer
NXP Semiconductors
San Diego, California
Software Engineering
Specialized Engineering
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Engineering (Non-Software)
$148k - $203k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Kleinfelder
Azure Automation Engineer
We won't show you this job again
Kleinfelder
Added 3d ago
Azure Automation Engineer
Kleinfelder
San Diego, California
Corporate Training
Educational Administration
Learning & Development
$76k - $127k/yr
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

F
Industrial Automation Design Engineer
We won't show you this job again
F
Added 3d ago
Industrial Automation Design Engineer
FlexibleAssembly Systems Inc
San Diego, California
Corporate Training
Educational Administration
Learning & Development
$80k - $100k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Have you applied for this role?

CRB
Automation Engineer IV
We won't show you this job again
CRB
Added 4d ago
Automation Engineer IV
CRB
San Diego, California
Cloud Engineering
IT Support
Systems Administration
$130k - $170k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Have you applied for this role?

Intone Networks
Software Test Automation Engineer
We won't show you this job again
Intone Networks
Added 2w ago
Software Test Automation Engineer
Intone Networks
San Diego, California
Cloud Engineering
DevOps
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
201-500

Have you applied for this role?

See All 375+ Automation Engineer Jobs in San Diego

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

Find Automation Engineer Jobs

Automation Engineer Job Market in San Diego

Who's Hiring

  • Apple
    Apple60
  • Eli Lilly
    Eli Lilly30
  • Amazon
    Amazon30
  • Northrop Grumman
    Northrop Grumman30
  • CRB
    CRB15

Top Industries Hiring

  • Electronics & Hardware60
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals30
  • Aerospace & Defense15
  • Technology & Software15

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, Eli Lilly, and Amazon and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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 23% of automation engineer openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of August 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 August 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 375+ Automation Engineer Jobs in San Diego

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

Find Automation Engineer Jobs