Data Engineer Jobs in California
Data Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in technology, financial services, entertainment, and life sciences, with openings at every level from entry-level data associate through principal and staff engineer. San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego lead hiring volumes, anchored by large employers like Google, Meta, and Kaiser Permanente that maintain significant engineering operations across the state. The most in-demand specialties right now are cloud data platform engineering, real-time streaming pipelines, and machine learning infrastructure. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 624+ Data Engineer jobs
Scaling - San Francisco
About the Team
OpenAI is building the infrastructure foundation for the next generation of AI. The Data Center Engineering team defines the strategy, reference architectures, technical requirements, and delivery standards for the large-scale data centers that support OpenAI research, products, and infrastructure partners.
As a Data Center Controls Engineer, you will program, configure, integrate, and commission the controls systems that support high-density AI data centers. You will work hands-on with mechanical or electrical controls, partnering with mechanical, electrical, IT/networking, security, commissioning, operations, and external delivery teams.
About the Role
We are seeking hands-on, early-career controls engineers with practical experience in building management systems (BMS) and mechanical controls, or electrical power monitoring systems (EPMS) and electrical controls. This role focuses on implementing and commissioning control systems, including PLCs, field devices, instrumentation, and sequences of operation, rather than owning OT/IT network or cybersecurity architecture.
The ideal candidate has day-to-day experience programming and commissioning controls, ideally with a controls systems integrator. We welcome depth in either BMS/mechanical or EPMS/electrical controls; expertise in both is not required. You will work with experienced engineers and delivery partners to turn design requirements into reliable, tested systems.
Key Responsibilities
Program and configure PLCs and control systems for mechanical/BMS or electrical/EPMS applications in AI data center campuses.
Implement and test sequences of operation, control logic, alarms, and interlocks against approved functional requirements.
Review and maintain controls documentation, including control diagrams, I/O and point lists, instrumentation details, sequences of operation, and commissioning records.
Integrate field devices, sensors, instrumentation, equipment controllers, and supervisory systems; validate point mapping, communications, and data quality.
Maintain control programs, configuration backups, version history, change records, and rollback procedures to support safe commissioning and operations.
Partner with mechanical, electrical, IT/networking, cybersecurity, and operations teams to resolve integration issues and implement approved OT connectivity and security requirements.
Configure and troubleshoot relevant industrial communications, such as BACnet/IP, BACnet MS/TP, Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC UA, or IEC 61850, according to the system and controls discipline.
Work directly with controls integratorsance issues.
Execute and document factory and site acceptance testing, point-to-point checks, sequence verification, and integrated systems testing; troubleshoot control logic, instrumentation, alarms, and device communication failures.
Qualifications
Practical hands-on experience programming, configuring, integrating, or commissioning control systems in data centers, industrial automation, buildings, or other critical infrastructure environments.
Working knowledge of PLC programming and control logic, with the ability to implement and troubleshoot sequences of operation.
Experience in either BMS/mechanical controls or EPMS/electrical controls, with an understanding of the equipment and operating sequences in that discipline.
Experience configuring field devices and instrumentation, validating I/O and point mapping, and diagnosing control system behavior.
Working knowledge of relevant industrial communication protocols and basic OT networking needed to connect and troubleshoot control systems.
Ability to read control diagrams, equipment documentation, I/O lists, and functional specifications, and keep implementation records accurate.
Hands-on experience with functional testing, commissioning, and systematic troubleshooting using trends, alarms, logs, and field observations.
Ability to work closely with integrators, vendors, construction teams, and operations, communicate issues clearly, and follow safe work and change-control practices.
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Controls or Automation Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
Preferred Skills
Experience at a controls systems integrator, with regular responsibility for programming, configuration, field integration, and commissioning.
Experience delivering BMS/mechanical or EPMS/electrical controls for data centers or other mission-critical facilities.
Familiarity with supervisory controls, HMI/SCADA configuration, telemetry, and historian integrations.
Familiarity with OT cybersecurity practices and working with networking or security specialists to implement approved access and connectivity requirements.
Experience with scripting, APIs, or automation tools that improve controls testing, integration, documentation, or troubleshooting.
Work Environment and Travel
This role requires periodic travel to data center campuses, vendors, labs, construction sites, commissioning activities, and controls/network cutovers.
The engineer should be comfortable working across office, lab, construction, and live data center environments, including PPE, lockout/tagout, cyber hygiene, and change-control requirements.
Work may include time-sensitive support during commissioning, startup, vendor testing, cutovers, network changes, telemetry issues, automation failures, and operational events.
Travel: 50%
About OpenAI
OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We push the boundaries of the capabilities of AI systems and seek to safely deploy them to the world through our products. AI is an extremely powerful tool that must be created with safety and human needs at its core the full spectrum of humanity.
We are an equal opportunity employeration, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.
Background checks for applicants will be administered in accordance with applicable lawation technology systems and related data security obligations.
To notify OpenAI that you believe this job posting is non-compliant. No response will be provided to inquiries unrelated to job posting compliance.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.
At OpenAI, we believe artificial intelligence has the potential to help people solve immense global challenges, and we want the upside of AI to be widely shared. Join us in shaping the future of technology.
Compensation
$177K – $285K + Offers Equity
The base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factorsance-related bonus(es) for eligible employees, and the following benefits.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts
Pre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses (parking and transit)
401(k) retirement plan with employer match
Paid parental leave (up to 24 weeks for birth parents and 20 weeks for non-birthing parents), plus paid medical and caregiver leave (up to 8 weeks)
Paid time off: flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees
13+ paid company holidays, and multiple paid coordinated company office closures throughout the year for focus and recharge, plus paid sick or safe time (1 hour per 30 hours worked, or more, as required by applicable state or local law)
Mental health and wellness support
Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage
Annual learning and development stipend to fuel your professional growth
Daily meals in our offices, and meal delivery credits as eligible
Relocation support for eligible employees
Additional taxable fringe benefits, such as charitable donation matching and wellness stipends, may also be provided.
More details about our benefits are available to candidates during the hiring process.
This role is at-will and OpenAI reserves the right to modify base pay and other compensation components at any time based on individual performance, team or company results, or market conditions.
Scaling - San Francisco
About the Team
OpenAI is building the infrastructure foundation for the next generation of AI. The Data Center Engineering team defines the strategy, reference architectures, technical requirements, and delivery standards for the large-scale data centers that support OpenAI research, products, and infrastructure partners.
As a Data Center Controls Engineer, you will program, configure, integrate, and commission the controls systems that support high-density AI data centers. You will work hands-on with mechanical or electrical controls, partnering with mechanical, electrical, IT/networking, security, commissioning, operations, and external delivery teams.
About the Role
We are seeking hands-on, early-career controls engineers with practical experience in building management systems (BMS) and mechanical controls, or electrical power monitoring systems (EPMS) and electrical controls. This role focuses on implementing and commissioning control systems, including PLCs, field devices, instrumentation, and sequences of operation, rather than owning OT/IT network or cybersecurity architecture.
The ideal candidate has day-to-day experience programming and commissioning controls, ideally with a controls systems integrator. We welcome depth in either BMS/mechanical or EPMS/electrical controls; expertise in both is not required. You will work with experienced engineers and delivery partners to turn design requirements into reliable, tested systems.
Key Responsibilities
Program and configure PLCs and control systems for mechanical/BMS or electrical/EPMS applications in AI data center campuses.
Implement and test sequences of operation, control logic, alarms, and interlocks against approved functional requirements.
Review and maintain controls documentation, including control diagrams, I/O and point lists, instrumentation details, sequences of operation, and commissioning records.
Integrate field devices, sensors, instrumentation, equipment controllers, and supervisory systems; validate point mapping, communications, and data quality.
Maintain control programs, configuration backups, version history, change records, and rollback procedures to support safe commissioning and operations.
Partner with mechanical, electrical, IT/networking, cybersecurity, and operations teams to resolve integration issues and implement approved OT connectivity and security requirements.
Configure and troubleshoot relevant industrial communications, such as BACnet/IP, BACnet MS/TP, Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC UA, or IEC 61850, according to the system and controls discipline.
Work directly with controls integratorsance issues.
Execute and document factory and site acceptance testing, point-to-point checks, sequence verification, and integrated systems testing; troubleshoot control logic, instrumentation, alarms, and device communication failures.
Qualifications
Practical hands-on experience programming, configuring, integrating, or commissioning control systems in data centers, industrial automation, buildings, or other critical infrastructure environments.
Working knowledge of PLC programming and control logic, with the ability to implement and troubleshoot sequences of operation.
Experience in either BMS/mechanical controls or EPMS/electrical controls, with an understanding of the equipment and operating sequences in that discipline.
Experience configuring field devices and instrumentation, validating I/O and point mapping, and diagnosing control system behavior.
Working knowledge of relevant industrial communication protocols and basic OT networking needed to connect and troubleshoot control systems.
Ability to read control diagrams, equipment documentation, I/O lists, and functional specifications, and keep implementation records accurate.
Hands-on experience with functional testing, commissioning, and systematic troubleshooting using trends, alarms, logs, and field observations.
Ability to work closely with integrators, vendors, construction teams, and operations, communicate issues clearly, and follow safe work and change-control practices.
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Controls or Automation Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
Preferred Skills
Experience at a controls systems integrator, with regular responsibility for programming, configuration, field integration, and commissioning.
Experience delivering BMS/mechanical or EPMS/electrical controls for data centers or other mission-critical facilities.
Familiarity with supervisory controls, HMI/SCADA configuration, telemetry, and historian integrations.
Familiarity with OT cybersecurity practices and working with networking or security specialists to implement approved access and connectivity requirements.
Experience with scripting, APIs, or automation tools that improve controls testing, integration, documentation, or troubleshooting.
Work Environment and Travel
This role requires periodic travel to data center campuses, vendors, labs, construction sites, commissioning activities, and controls/network cutovers.
The engineer should be comfortable working across office, lab, construction, and live data center environments, including PPE, lockout/tagout, cyber hygiene, and change-control requirements.
Work may include time-sensitive support during commissioning, startup, vendor testing, cutovers, network changes, telemetry issues, automation failures, and operational events.
Travel: 50%
About OpenAI
OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We push the boundaries of the capabilities of AI systems and seek to safely deploy them to the world through our products. AI is an extremely powerful tool that must be created with safety and human needs at its core the full spectrum of humanity.
We are an equal opportunity employeration, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.
Background checks for applicants will be administered in accordance with applicable lawation technology systems and related data security obligations.
To notify OpenAI that you believe this job posting is non-compliant. No response will be provided to inquiries unrelated to job posting compliance.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.
At OpenAI, we believe artificial intelligence has the potential to help people solve immense global challenges, and we want the upside of AI to be widely shared. Join us in shaping the future of technology.
Compensation
$177K – $285K + Offers Equity
The base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factorsance-related bonus(es) for eligible employees, and the following benefits.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts
Pre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses (parking and transit)
401(k) retirement plan with employer match
Paid parental leave (up to 24 weeks for birth parents and 20 weeks for non-birthing parents), plus paid medical and caregiver leave (up to 8 weeks)
Paid time off: flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees
13+ paid company holidays, and multiple paid coordinated company office closures throughout the year for focus and recharge, plus paid sick or safe time (1 hour per 30 hours worked, or more, as required by applicable state or local law)
Mental health and wellness support
Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage
Annual learning and development stipend to fuel your professional growth
Daily meals in our offices, and meal delivery credits as eligible
Relocation support for eligible employees
Additional taxable fringe benefits, such as charitable donation matching and wellness stipends, may also be provided.
More details about our benefits are available to candidates during the hiring process.
This role is at-will and OpenAI reserves the right to modify base pay and other compensation components at any time based on individual performance, team or company results, or market conditions.
See All 624+ Data Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Data Engineer JobsData Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Data Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- TikTok33
- Tesla28
- Meta20
- ByteDance15
- Google14
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software37
- Electronics & Hardware13
- Science & Research4
- Staffing & Recruiting4
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals4
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in data engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, data science, or a related field
- Proficiency in SQL and at least one scripting language such as Python or Scala
- Hands-on experience with cloud data platforms including AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure
- Experience building and maintaining data pipelines using tools like Apache Spark or Airflow
- Familiarity with data warehousing solutions such as BigQuery, Snowflake, or Redshift
- Strong understanding of data modeling, ETL processes, and distributed systems architecture
Data Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a data engineer in California?
Data engineering in California has no state-issued license or registration requirement, so the path runs through education and demonstrated technical skill. Most California employers expect at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, or engineering, though strong bootcamp graduates with portfolio projects do get hired. Building proficiency in SQL, Python, and a major cloud platform is the core foundation, and earning a cloud certification from Google, AWS, or Azure adds meaningful weight to an application in the California market.
Which companies hire data engineers in California?
Employers hiring data engineers in California right now include TikTok, Tesla, and Meta, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of technology headquarters and large healthcare systems means demand stays consistent across both high-growth startups and established enterprise organizations throughout the year.
Which California cities have the most data engineer jobs?
San Francisco, San Jose, and Palo Alto have the most data engineer openings in California right now. The San Francisco Bay Area drives the largest share due to its density of technology companies and cloud infrastructure firms, while Los Angeles hiring reflects growth in entertainment technology, fintech, and healthcare data, and San Diego's concentration of biotech and defense contractors sustains steady demand independent of the broader tech cycle.
Are there remote data engineer jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 64% of data engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how naturally the work translates to distributed environments. Pipeline development, data modeling, and cloud infrastructure tasks are the most consistently offered remotely, while roles that involve close collaboration with on-site analytics or machine learning teams tend to carry at least a hybrid expectation.
How can I get hired as a data engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing an associate or junior data engineer role, often reached by transitioning from a data analyst, business intelligence analyst, or software engineering position where you can demonstrate pipeline or SQL work. Large California employers like Kaiser Permanente, Oracle, and major Bay Area technology firms run new-graduate rotational and apprenticeship programs that accept candidates without professional data engineering titles. Building a portfolio of end-to-end pipeline projects on a public code repository and earning a cloud platform certification from Google or AWS gives California hiring managers a concrete signal when your work history is thin.
Where can I find and apply to data engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to data engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state updated in real time. Search by city or region to see roles in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, or elsewhere in California, then find the roles that fit your background and apply directly.
See All 624+ Data Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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