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 roles78+
Top employerSila Nanotechnologies
Top cityFremont, CA
Cities hiring34
Work type92% On-site
Top industryElectronics

Showing 5 of 78+ Chemical Engineer jobs

Form Energy
Senior Chemical Engineer
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Form Energy
Added 1w ago
Senior Chemical Engineer
Form Energy
Berkeley, California
Specialized Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
$112k - $140k/yr
On-Site
Master's
501-1,000

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Form Energy
Staff Chemical Engineer
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Form Energy
Added 2w ago
Staff Chemical Engineer
Form Energy
Berkeley, California
Specialized Engineering
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering
$148k - $185k/yr
On-Site
Master's
501-1,000

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Arup
Senior Fire Protection Engineer / Chemical Engineer
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Arup
Added 1mo ago
Senior Fire Protection Engineer / Chemical Engineer
Arup
Los Angeles, California
Specialized Engineering
Project & Program Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
Project Management
Chemical Engineering
$112k - $149k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Bloom Energy
Sr. Staff Chemical Engineer
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Bloom Energy
Added 1mo ago
Sr. Staff Chemical Engineer
Bloom Energy
San Jose, California
Specialized Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Engineering (Non-Software)
Chemical Engineering
Data Science
Data Analytics
$152k - $218k/yr
On-Site
Master's
1,001-5,000

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Ecolab
Senior Chemical Engineer
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Ecolab
Added 3mo ago
Senior Chemical Engineer
Ecolab
Chatsworth, California
Specialized Engineering
Project & Program Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
Chemical Engineering
Project Management
$90k - $120k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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See All 78 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
10 jobs
Santa Clara
10 jobs
Alameda
6 jobs
Los Angeles
4 jobs
San Jose
4 jobs
Emeryville
3 jobs
Redwood City
3 jobs
San Diego
3 jobs
San Francisco
3 jobs

Chemical Engineer Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • Sila Nanotechnologies
    Sila Nanotechnologies5
  • Apple
    Apple3
  • Applied Materials
    Applied Materials3
  • Brindley Engineering Corporation
    Brindley Engineering Corporation3
  • Calico Life Sciences
    Calico Life Sciences3

Top Industries Hiring

  • Electronics & Hardware22
  • Consulting & Professional Services15
  • Manufacturing9
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals8
  • Science & Research6

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 Sila Nanotechnologies, Apple, and Applied Materials, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 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 Alameda 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 8% of chemical engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 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 78 Chemical Engineer Jobs in California

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

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs