Development Engineer Jobs in San Diego, CA
Development Engineer jobs in San Diego are concentrated in defense and aerospace, biotech, semiconductor, and telecom sectors, with hiring centered in Sorrento Valley, Mira Mesa, and Kearny Mesa. Employers actively hiring include Dexcom, Qualcomm, and Apple. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 651+ Development Engineer jobs
Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software EngineeringGeneral Summary:
This individual leads, plans, synthesizes ambiguous or conflicting requirements and performs the complex responsibility of the design, driver development, integration, test, debugging and validation of real time embedded software, embedded RTOS environment, embedded systems, embedded microcontroller firmware, communication protocols and platforms for wireless chipsets including features enabled by 3G, 4G, 5G, AI and/or other current and future technologies. Develops and debugs platforms in-addition to on target development. Identify, evaluate and implement tools and processes to continually improve the software development process. Provides support on customer issues and requirements to Software Application Engineers by providing input to project planning and timescales. Creates engineering documentation for intellectual property, prepares technical specifications and requirements. Acts as a strong contributor at design reviews and project meetings and communicates and implements a development plan.
Will accept a Master's Degree (or foreign academic equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related degree field and three (3) years of experience in a related occupation.
Pay Range: $137,042.00 - $202,200.00/year
Applicants : Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here . Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies : Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers .
Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software EngineeringGeneral Summary:
This individual leads, plans, synthesizes ambiguous or conflicting requirements and performs the complex responsibility of the design, driver development, integration, test, debugging and validation of real time embedded software, embedded RTOS environment, embedded systems, embedded microcontroller firmware, communication protocols and platforms for wireless chipsets including features enabled by 3G, 4G, 5G, AI and/or other current and future technologies. Develops and debugs platforms in-addition to on target development. Identify, evaluate and implement tools and processes to continually improve the software development process. Provides support on customer issues and requirements to Software Application Engineers by providing input to project planning and timescales. Creates engineering documentation for intellectual property, prepares technical specifications and requirements. Acts as a strong contributor at design reviews and project meetings and communicates and implements a development plan.
Will accept a Master's Degree (or foreign academic equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related degree field and three (3) years of experience in a related occupation.
Pay Range: $137,042.00 - $202,200.00/year
Applicants : Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here . Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies : Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers .
See All 651+ Development Engineer Jobs in San Diego
Find roles in San Diego that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Development Engineer JobsDevelopment Engineer Job Market in San Diego
Who's Hiring
- Dexcom125
- Qualcomm100
- Apple75
- Northrop Grumman50
- Intuit25
Top Industries Hiring
- Medical Devices150
- Technology & Software100
- Electronics & Hardware75
- Telecommunications50
- Retail25
Development Engineer Jobs in San Diego: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a development engineer job in San Diego?
The strongest path in San Diego is targeting the defense contractors, biotech firms, and semiconductor companies that dominate local hiring in corridors like Sorrento Valley, Mira Mesa, and Torrey Pines. Hands-on experience with hardware development, RF systems, or medical device engineering gives candidates a real edge here. Networking through industry meetups and local university connections also opens doors with employers that rarely post publicly.
Which companies hire development engineers in San Diego?
Employers hiring development engineers in San Diego right now include Dexcom, Qualcomm, and Apple, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. San Diego's market is anchored by a mix of large defense primes, established biotech and life sciences companies, and growing semiconductor firms, many of which maintain significant engineering headcount locally.
Are there remote development engineer jobs in San Diego?
Yes, though opportunities vary, since development engineer roles that involve lab work, hardware testing, or prototype builds are largely on-site by nature, while software-focused or systems engineering positions are more remote-friendly. About 18% of development engineer openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of August 2026. The most remote-eligible work tends to concentrate in software development and firmware engineering rather than hardware or device validation.
How can I get a development engineer job in San Diego with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point in San Diego is targeting associate engineer or engineer-in-training roles at mid-size defense subcontractors and biotech companies, which regularly hire recent graduates from UC San Diego, San Diego State, and other regional programs. Internships at local aerospace or life sciences firms convert to full-time offers more often than cold applications. Building skills in CAD, embedded systems, or lab instrumentation makes candidates competitive for those first roles.
Which industries hire the most development engineers in San Diego?
San Diego development engineer roles concentrate in Medical Devices, Technology & Software, and Electronics & Hardware, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. The region's long history as a hub for military and naval technology, combined with a deep cluster of biotech and semiconductor companies, drives sustained demand for development engineers across multiple specializations.
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