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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Linde Inc.
2027 Entry Level Chemical Engineer – Leadership Technical Orientation Program (LTOP)
Wilmington, CA, United States | req33514
What you will enjoy doing*
- You will participate in a fifty‑two‑week structured curriculum designed to give broad exposure to plant operations across multiple product lines including air separation, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, helium, rare gases, and standard plants. The estimated start date for the 2027 LTOP program will be on or around July 1, 2027
- You shall engage in hands‑on operational activities such as start‑ups, shutdowns, maintenance, project planning, training, troubleshooting, safety program execution, and daily plant support
- In this role you will operate process equipment both through the control system and in the field including motors, compressors, pumps, instrumentation, and utilities such as electrical, water, steam, and instrument gas
- Take responsibility for monitoring efficiency, assessing energy consumption, optimizing operating modes, and implementing changes to improve overall plant performance
- Additionally, support quality assurance programs, ensure regulatory compliance, assist distribution and operations personnel, and execute projects consistent with budgets and operating schedules
- Furthermore, collaborate with process engineering, project engineering, controls, maintenance, reliability, safety, and operations teams while gaining mentored leadership development throughout the program
What makes you great
- You will hold a Bachelor of Chemical or Electrical Engineering with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher strongly preferred
- You shall bring zero to three years of experience supported by internship or cooperative education roles that demonstrate strong technical capability
- In addition you should communicate effectively, build productive cross‑functional relationships, and adapt quickly to shifting operational needs
- Demonstrate the ability to manage multiple priorities, solve problems independently, and drive tasks to completion with strong attention to detail
- Additionally, show proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint while applying analytical skills to technical and operational challenges
- You are willing and able to travel up to twenty‑five percent to assigned plant sites and training locations and open to relocation as required for program assignments
Why you will love working with us
Linde is a leading global industrial gases and engineering company with 2025 sales of $34 billion. We live our mission of making our world more productive every day by providing high-quality solutions, technologies and services which are making our customers more successful and helping to sustain, decarbonize and protect our planet.
Linde serves a variety of end markets such as chemicals & energy, food & beverage, electronics, healthcare, manufacturing, metals and mining. Linde’s industrial gases and technologies are used in countless applications, enabling space exploration and launch technologies, delivering ultra-high-purity and specialty gases for semiconductor manufacturing, providing life-saving medical oxygen and enabling clean hydrogen production and carbon capture to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Linde also delivers state-of-the-art gas processing solutions to support customer growth, efficiency improvements and emissions reductions.
What we offer you!
At Linde, the sky is not the limit. If you’re looking to build a career where your work reaches beyond your job description and betters the people with whom you work, the communities we serve, and the world in which we all live, at Linde, your opportunities are limitless. Be Linde. Be Limitless.
Linde offers competitive compensation and an outstanding benefits package. Enjoy access to health, dental, disability, and life insurance, paid holidays and vacation, 401(k) matching, pension benefits, an employee discount program, and opportunities for educational and professional growth. Additional compensation may vary depending on the position and organizational level. Build your future with us while making an impact every day!
Pay commensurate with experience. Open to salary range $69,750 - $102,300
Have we inspired you? Let´s talk about it
We are looking forward to receiving your complete application.
Linde Inc. acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. The company is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.
- The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Therefore employees assigned may be required to perform additional job tasks required by the manager.
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Chemical Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



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
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