CAD Engineer Jobs in California
CAD Engineer jobs in California are in strong demand, concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor manufacturing, medical device development, and architecture and civil infrastructure, with openings at every level from entry-level drafters to senior design engineers. The most active hiring metros are the Los Angeles basin, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego, where companies like Northrop Grumman, Applied Materials, and Medtronic maintain major California operations. The most sought-after specialties in California listings are mechanical CAD for aerospace assemblies, PCB and chip-level layout, and building information modeling for large infrastructure projects. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Are you passionate about designing the world's most advanced silicon? Do you want to write software that helps create the next generation of processors and enable the next remarkable Apple innovation? If so, we invite you to consider joining our team at Apple. We seek an engineer with a passion for hardware and strong programming and collaboration skills. You will gain hands-on experience in applying machine learning to circuit design automation and the reuse of custom intellectual property (IP). You will develop innovative pipelines to enable design engineers to efficiently drive and interact with their transistor-level analysis workflows, delivering diverse IPs to our numerous cutting-edge integrated circuits (ICs) in development. In this role, you will acquire a broad spectrum of knowledge spanning various disciplines and stages of silicon IP development, including applications in machine learning (ML) and large language model (LLM) technologies. These LLM applications encompass tasks such as information retrieval, triage, and chatbot development, alongside traditional silicon design areas such as transistor-level extraction, timing analysis, static/dynamic IR analysis, simulations, power EM analysis, signal EM analysis, logic equivalency checks (LEC), and signoff. The successful candidate will thrive in dynamic, collaborative environments and demonstrate a hands-on, enthusiastic, and self-motivated approach. They will possess a strong drive to succeed in challenging settings and be eager to tackle challenges with innovative solutions. If you are passionate about delivering exceptional user experiences and paying meticulous attention to detail, this role may be the perfect fit for you. As a member of our team, your contributions will directly impact the experiences of millions of Apple customers by delivering state-of-the-art processors to the diverse range of Apple products.
Description
In this highly visible role, your primary responsibilities will include: • Developing innovative ML and large language model applications to understand, explain, and interact with advanced circuit design software systems. Designing and implementing their interaction with our extensive compute infrastructure. • Identifying opportunities for optimizing, expediting, and reusing the delivery of hardware IP assets. • Actively involving yourself in supporting various ML and large language model development processes, including understanding input data, troubleshooting output, resolving software challenges that may impact project timelines, and delivering solutions to our internal customers. • Closely collaborating with diverse design teams, including Custom Digital, Analog, Mixed-Signal, and more, to understand their needs and requirements for various ML and large language model applications. Applying advanced techniques to address these requirements across multiple products and reduce duplicate design work. • Working in tandem with other experts in CAD to validate their ML-based applications, implement enhancements, and evaluate external vendor packages and solutions from EDA (Electronic Design Automation) providers and open-source.
Minimum Qualifications
- BS in Computer Science or related field
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in developing object-oriented programs, utilizing data structures, and writing algorithms. Python is preferred.
- Knowledge of basic machine learning techniques
- Day-to-day experience working with the UNIX shell environment and code revision control systems
- Knowledge of basic electrical engineering topics
- Experience leading academic software development projects
- Relevant internship, research position, or industry experience
- Proficiency in machine learning algorithms, large language models, fine-tuning, retrieval augmented generation, and prompt engineering
- Knowledge of transistor-level electrical engineering and related software tools for circuit analysis, such as simulation, timing, EM/IR, layout, extraction, or power analysis
- Experience in electrical engineering machine learning applications
- Exposure to server management, or parallel computing platforms such as LSF, NC, AWS, etc.
- Experience creating web technologies using React, REST APIs, or equivalent
- Strong communication and presentation skills
- Commitment to excellence and productivity
- Experience in developing large scale software systems in multi-user, multi-site environments as part of a team of developers.
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $129,300 and $194,700, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant
At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.
Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplace
Learn about reasonable accommodations for job applicants
Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.
See All 92 CAD Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find CAD Engineer JobsCAD Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
CAD Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Apple35

- Qualcomm7

- Tesla4

- NVIDIA4

- Astranis4

Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware12
- Technology & Software6
- Telecommunications2
- Consulting & Professional Services1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in CAD engineer jobs across California.
- Proficiency in industry-standard CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or CATIA
- Associate or bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, drafting technology, or a related field
- Experience producing engineering drawings to GD&T and ASME Y14.5 standards
- Familiarity with PDM or PLM systems such as Windchill, Teamcenter, or Vault
- Ability to read and interpret complex assembly and manufacturing drawings independently
- Strong collaboration skills for working across engineering, manufacturing, and design teams
CAD Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a cad engineer in California?
Most California employers hire cad engineers with an associate degree in drafting and design technology or a bachelor's degree in mechanical or civil engineering. California does not require a state license specifically for cad engineers, but earning a Certified SolidWorks Associate credential or an Autodesk certification strengthens candidacy significantly. Community colleges across the state, including those in the California Community Colleges system, offer accredited CAD technology programs that lead directly into entry-level roles.
How much do CAD engineers make in California?
CAD engineers in California earn a median of about $130,850 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $74,950 for the lowest 10% to over $212,130 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire cad engineers in California?
Employers hiring cad engineers in California right now include Apple, Qualcomm, and Tesla, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, medical device manufacturers, and semiconductor equipment firms means consistent demand across a range of industries throughout the state.
Which California cities have the most cad engineer jobs?
The cities with the most cad engineer openings in California are Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, and San Jose. The distribution reflects California's major industrial clusters: the Los Angeles basin anchors aerospace and defense work with large contractors nearby, the Bay Area drives semiconductor and tech hardware demand, and San Diego's life sciences and defense corridor generates steady openings for both mechanical and electrical CAD roles.
Are there remote cad engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're limited. CAD engineering often requires access to physical prototypes, lab equipment, or secure on-site systems, which keeps most roles on-site or hybrid. About 32% of cad engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026. The roles most likely to offer remote flexibility are those focused on 2D documentation, standards writing, or design review rather than hands-on model development or manufacturing support.
How can I get hired as a cad engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is completing a CAD drafting or engineering technology program at a California Community College and building a project portfolio before applying. Large California defense and aerospace employers often post associate or junior drafter roles that accept new graduates, and some run structured engineering rotation programs. Transitioning from a CNC machinist, manufacturing technician, or architecture intern role is also common. Earning a software-specific certification such as a Certified SolidWorks Associate credential gives candidates without work history a concrete credential to lead with.
Where can I find and apply to cad engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to cad engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across aerospace, medical devices, semiconductors, civil infrastructure, and more. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty, then apply directly to the employer through each listing.
See All 92 CAD Engineer Jobs in California
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