Development Engineer Jobs in California
Development Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand in aerospace and defense, semiconductors, clean energy, and enterprise software stretching from entry-level roles through senior principal positions. The largest concentrations of hiring are in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where established employers like Lockheed Martin, Qualcomm, and Apple maintain significant engineering operations. The most sought-after specializations include product development for mixed-signal hardware, systems integration for defense platforms, and software-defined product development in consumer electronics. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Join a dynamic R&D team focused on developing the next generation of analytical instruments for the characterization of macromolecules, nanoparticles, and complex biological systems. As a Development Engineer I – Evaluation, you will support the testing, verification, and validation of new instrument platforms and technologies, with a primary focus on light scattering and chromatography-based analytical systems.
Responsibilities:
- Execute verification and validation testing for new instrument platforms, subsystems, and software features.
- Perform laboratory experiments to characterize system performance, reliability, robustness, and usability.
- Set up, operate, and troubleshoot scientific instrumentation, including HPLC/LC systems and light scattering instruments.
- Collect, analyze, and document experimental data using statistical and graphical analysis methods.
- Prepare clear and concise test reports summarizing results, observations, deviations, and recommendations.
- Assist in developing test protocols, validation procedures, and acceptance criteria.
- Support prototype assembly, integration, and evaluation activities.
- Investigate and reproduce reported issues to assist engineering teams in root cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Maintain laboratory equipment, test fixtures, and test records in accordance with quality procedures.
- Collaborate with engineering, applications, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure successful product development and transfer.
Qualifications:
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Materials Science, Engineering, or another scientific discipline with 1-2 years of experience
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to accurately document experimental procedures and results.
- Familiarity with scientific data analysis using Excel or similar tools.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
Preferred
- Experience working with scientific instruments in a laboratory environment.
- Familiarity with liquid chromatography (LC/HPLC) systems and workflows.
- Exposure to light scattering instrumentation or related analytical techniques.
- Experience collecting, analyzing, and interpreting experimental data.
- Experience with software tools such as Excel, Origin, MATLAB, Python, JMP, or similar analytical platforms.
- Understanding of laboratory best practices, calibration, and measurement fundamentals.
Company Description:
Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our core values at Waters Corporation. It benefits our employees, our products, our customers and our community. Waters complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, marital status (including civil unions), military service, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, legally recognized disability, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Waters is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.
Join a dynamic R&D team focused on developing the next generation of analytical instruments for the characterization of macromolecules, nanoparticles, and complex biological systems. As a Development Engineer I – Evaluation, you will support the testing, verification, and validation of new instrument platforms and technologies, with a primary focus on light scattering and chromatography-based analytical systems.
Responsibilities:
- Execute verification and validation testing for new instrument platforms, subsystems, and software features.
- Perform laboratory experiments to characterize system performance, reliability, robustness, and usability.
- Set up, operate, and troubleshoot scientific instrumentation, including HPLC/LC systems and light scattering instruments.
- Collect, analyze, and document experimental data using statistical and graphical analysis methods.
- Prepare clear and concise test reports summarizing results, observations, deviations, and recommendations.
- Assist in developing test protocols, validation procedures, and acceptance criteria.
- Support prototype assembly, integration, and evaluation activities.
- Investigate and reproduce reported issues to assist engineering teams in root cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Maintain laboratory equipment, test fixtures, and test records in accordance with quality procedures.
- Collaborate with engineering, applications, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure successful product development and transfer.
Qualifications:
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Materials Science, Engineering, or another scientific discipline with 1-2 years of experience
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to accurately document experimental procedures and results.
- Familiarity with scientific data analysis using Excel or similar tools.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
Preferred
- Experience working with scientific instruments in a laboratory environment.
- Familiarity with liquid chromatography (LC/HPLC) systems and workflows.
- Exposure to light scattering instrumentation or related analytical techniques.
- Experience collecting, analyzing, and interpreting experimental data.
- Experience with software tools such as Excel, Origin, MATLAB, Python, JMP, or similar analytical platforms.
- Understanding of laboratory best practices, calibration, and measurement fundamentals.
Company Description:
Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our core values at Waters Corporation. It benefits our employees, our products, our customers and our community. Waters complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, marital status (including civil unions), military service, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, legally recognized disability, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Waters is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.
See All 651+ Development Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Development Engineer JobsDevelopment Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Development Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Amazon80
- Amazon Web Services44
- Apple35
- Tesla20
- Esri18
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software131
- Electronics & Hardware58
- E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces38
- Retail37
- Distribution & Wholesale19
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in development engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or systems engineering from an accredited institution
- Hands-on experience with CAD tools such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or equivalent design software
- Proven ability to lead or support design verification, testing, and validation cycles
- Familiarity with California-relevant industry standards including MIL-SPEC, IPC, or ITAR compliance
- Experience collaborating cross-functionally with manufacturing, QA, and product management teams
- Strong documentation skills for engineering change orders, test plans, and design review records
Development Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a development engineer in California?
Most development engineer roles in California require at minimum a bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program. Candidates pursuing roles in civil or structural-adjacent development may benefit from sitting for the Fundamentals of Engineering exam administered through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. For hardware, semiconductor, or software-focused roles, a strong project portfolio and internship experience with a California-based employer typically matters more than licensure.
Which companies hire development engineers in California?
Employers hiring development engineers in California right now include Amazon, Amazon Web Services, and Apple, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's density of aerospace primes, semiconductor fabs, and consumer electronics headquarters means the hiring pipeline for this role is unusually broad and active compared to most states.
Which California cities have the most development engineer jobs?
Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and San Jose account for the largest share of development engineer openings in California. The Bay Area's concentration of semiconductor and software-hardware companies drives volume in that corridor, while Los Angeles and San Diego reflect the strength of aerospace, defense, and biomedical device employers that have long operated major engineering campuses in Southern California.
Are there remote development engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely software roles because development engineering frequently involves lab work, prototyping, and hardware testing that require physical presence. About 27% of development engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, skewing toward systems-level or software-defined development work. Roles centered on firmware, embedded software, or technical program management tend to carry the most scheduling flexibility.
How can I get hired as a development engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a rotational new-grad engineering program or co-op with a large California employer. Companies like Northrop Grumman, Apple, and Qualcomm run structured new-graduate programs that place candidates directly into development teams. Adjacent roles such as test engineer, manufacturing engineer, or product validation technician are common lateral entry points. Building a portfolio around a senior capstone project or personal hardware build, and earning the Fundamentals of Engineering credential from the California Board for Professional Engineers, strengthens any entry-level application.
Where can I find and apply to development engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to development engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and target location, and apply directly from the listing.
See All 651+ Development Engineer Jobs in California
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