Chemical Engineer Jobs in California

Chemical Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in petroleum refining, semiconductors, biotechnology, and specialty chemicals, with openings at every level from entry-level process engineers through senior principal roles. The heaviest hiring is in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Sacramento, where established employers like Chevron, Lam Research, and Genentech maintain large California operations. The most in-demand specialties include process engineering, materials science, and biochemical process development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles19
Top employerApplied Materials
Top cityFremont, CA
Cities hiring16
Work type50% On-site
Top industryChemicals

Showing 5 of 19+ Chemical Engineer jobs

Linde
2027 Entry Level Chemical Engineer – Leadership Technical Orientation Program (LTOP)
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Linde
Added 4d ago
2027 Entry Level Chemical Engineer – Leadership Technical Orientation Program (LTOP)
Linde
Wilmington, California
Account Management
Customer Success
Partnerships & Business Development
$70k - $102k/yr
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
10,000+

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Applied Materials
System Engineer IV - Wet Chemical Tool
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Applied Materials
Added 6d ago
System Engineer IV - Wet Chemical Tool
Applied Materials
Santa Clara, California
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
Software Engineering
$161k - $221k/yr
Master's degree
10,000+

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RASIRC
Chemical Engineer II
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RASIRC
Added 1w ago
Chemical Engineer II
RASIRC
San Diego, California
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
Specialized Engineering
$85k - $100k/yr
Bachelor's degree
11-50

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FUTURE FOAM
Manufacturing Process Engineer Mechanical & Chemical Systems
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FUTURE FOAM
Added 1w ago
Manufacturing Process Engineer Mechanical & Chemical Systems
FUTURE FOAM
Fullerton, California
Factory & Production Work
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
$105k - $135k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
501-1,000

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Applied Materials
Gas & Chemical Technical Facilities Engineer
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Applied Materials
Added 2w ago
Gas & Chemical Technical Facilities Engineer
Applied Materials
Santa Clara, California
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Specialized Engineering
$111k - $152k/yr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
10,000+

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See All 19 Chemical Engineer Jobs in California

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

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Chemical Engineer Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Fremont
3 jobs
Santa Clara
2 jobs
Chino
1 job
Stockton
1 job
Fullerton
1 job
Hawthorne
1 job
Livermore
1 job
San Diego
1 job
San Carlos
1 job

Chemical Engineer Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Applied Materials
Applied Materials2 open roles
1X
1X1 open role
Arup
Arup1 open role

Top Industries Hiring

  • Chemicals & Materials
  • Consulting & Professional Services

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in chemical engineer jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or a closely related engineering discipline required
  • Professional Engineer license issued or recognized by the California Board for Professional Engineers preferred for senior roles
  • Hands-on experience with process simulation software such as Aspen Plus or HYSYS
  • Familiarity with California environmental regulations including Cal EPA and CARB compliance requirements
  • Demonstrated ability to design, scale, and optimize chemical or biochemical manufacturing processes
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional collaboration with operations and regulatory teams

Chemical Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a chemical engineer in California?

You become a chemical engineer in California by earning a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from an accredited program, then gaining industry experience. For roles requiring a Professional Engineer designation, candidates must pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, accumulate qualifying work experience, and pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam administered through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. Many California employers hire without a PE license for process, R&D, and manufacturing roles.

Which companies hire chemical engineers in California?

Employers hiring chemical engineers in California right now include Applied Materials, 1X, and Arup, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of petroleum refineries, semiconductor fabs, and biopharmaceutical manufacturers means demand is spread across a wide range of industries rather than a single dominant sector.

Which California cities have the most chemical engineer jobs?

Fremont, Santa Clara, and Chino have the most chemical engineer openings in California. The Bay Area's density of biotech and semiconductor companies drives strong demand there, while Los Angeles and its surrounding basin support refinery, specialty chemical, and aerospace materials roles, and Sacramento draws from both state government environmental programs and nearby agricultural and food processing industries.

Are there remote chemical engineer jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Chemical engineering is largely a hands-on field tied to lab work, plant operations, and on-site process oversight, so most roles require a physical presence. About 50% of chemical engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in regulatory affairs, technical sales, and process modeling rather than core manufacturing or R&D bench work.

How can I get hired as a chemical engineer in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying directly to new-graduate rotational programs at California's large chemical and biopharmaceutical employers, which regularly hire engineers without prior industry experience. Companies like Chevron, Genentech, and Lam Research run structured associate engineer or early-career cohort programs in California. Candidates with a strong senior capstone project, a Fundamentals of Engineering exam pass, or lab internship experience from a UC or CSU program consistently stand out over those without any of these credentials.

Where can I find and apply to chemical engineer jobs in California?

You can find and apply to chemical engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries including petroleum, biotech, semiconductors, and specialty chemicals. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly from the listing.

See All 19 Chemical Engineer Jobs in California

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

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs