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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Are you ready to build America’s energy future? Form Energy is an American manufacturing and energy technology company. We’re revolutionizing energy storage with cost-effective, multi-day technology designed to keep the electric grid secure and reliable, even during extended periods of stress. By strengthening the electric system and reimagining what’s possible, we’re giving clean energy a whole new form!
In recent years, Form Energy has earned a number of accolades, including being named by TIME as a “Best Invention”, MIT Technology Review as a “Top Climate Tech Company To Watch”, and Fast Company as “One of the Next Big Things In Tech”. We are making rapid progress on our mission of delivering energy storage for a better world, and our team is growing just as rapidly to meet demand. We have signed contracts with leading electric utilities across the United States and production of our iron-air batteries is underway at our first high-volume manufacturing facility in West Virginia.
Working for Form Energy is more than just a job, it’s a chance to be part of something extraordinary. And now - right as we significantly scale up battery manufacturing - might be the most exciting moment in the company’s history to join. We are assembling a team of highly talented and driven individuals across the country. Driven by our core values of humanity, excellence, and creativity, our team is determined to deliver on our mission and transform the energy landscape for the better.
Feeling energized to make a meaningful impact on the world? Then keep reading - you’ve come to the right place.
Role Description
Form Energy is hiring a Senior Chemical Engineer to join the Product Echem Performance team. In this role, you will build on existing results to improve our electrolyte product integration process and help optimize the electrolyte workflow for Form Energy's long-duration energy storage system. As a Senior Chemical Engineer specializing in fluid mechanics, handling systems, and mathematical modeling, you will play a key role in developing and owning predictive models for our iron-air battery — including a shunt current model and an electrolyte level model — as well as designing and developing test vehicle components. Your responsibilities will also include leading the analysis and definition of requirements for fluid and material management, with modeling as a core tool for driving design decisions. This role is crucial in conducting hands-on verification testing to ensure that our fluid handling systems meet all requirements, and in closing gaps between model predictions and real-world test data. This role offers the chance to also work closely with chemical, materials, and mechanical engineers on the technology development team in the lab and to analyze their data. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape and be part of the growth of a fast-moving company with breakthrough technology and an incredible mission! Relocation assistance is available.
What you'll do:
- Develop, own, and iterate on mathematical models to predict and analyze the behavior of fluid systems under different conditions, including a shunt current model and a dynamic fluid level model
- Validate models against experimental data, perform root cause analysis when gaps arise, and drive model improvements
- Establish processes and define system requirements to maintain chemical specifications throughout the battery's service lifetime
- Execute chemistry and mechanical design trades, leveraging modeling to optimize the design of fluid handling components and interfaces between cells and systems
- Provide high-quality data analysis and design trades
What you'll bring:
- PhD or MS with 3+ years of professional experience in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Science or a related field is required
- Expert in fluid mechanics, fluid handling and sensor selection
- Experience in leading engineering verification tests, RCA and addressing model to data gap
- Demonstrated experience with defining engineering requirements
- Excellent problem solving and communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
LI-Onsite
Humanity is a cornerstone of Form Energy’s culture, and we make sure our compensation and benefits reflect that. Form Energy offers competitive salaries, stock options, and a holistic benefits package to ensure all employees have what they need to thrive while working here.
When it comes to you and your family’s health, we cover 100% of medical, dental, and vision premiums for full-time employees - and 80% of healthcare premiums for dependents. This starts from day one. We also offer at least 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents (up to 20 weeks for birthing parents), and generous vacation policies to give employees time to recharge when needed.
To build America’s energy future, we need everyone at the table. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply to our open jobs.
If you may require reasonable accommodations to participate in our interview process, please contact accommodations@formenergy.com. Requests for accommodations will be treated with discretion.
Form Energy is committed to maintaining the privacy of our applicants. Please be aware that we will never solicit sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers or bank account details during the recruiting or hiring process.
Compensation Range: $111,826 - $139,777
See All 78 Chemical Engineer Jobs in California
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Find Chemical Engineer JobsChemical Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Chemical Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Sila Nanotechnologies5

- Apple3

- Applied Materials3

- Brindley Engineering Corporation3

- 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
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