Electrical Systems Engineer Jobs in California
Electrical systems engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor manufacturing, clean energy, and advanced transportation across seniority levels from entry-level associate engineer through principal and staff engineer. The largest hiring markets are Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where employers such as Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Tesla maintain significant engineering workforces. The most in-demand specialties in California include power systems design, embedded systems, and systems integration for both defense platforms and electric vehicle programs. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 64+ Electrical Systems Engineer jobs
L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.
L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.
Job Title: Senior Specialist, Systems Engineering (Electrical Subsystems)
Job Code: 42190
Job Location: Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
Job Schedule: 5/8 MON-FRI
Job Description:
The Assured Access to Space program is seeking highly skilled and motivated System Engineer to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will have background in space systems, stakeholder management experience, integration & test experience, electrical and communication systems maintenance, and management.
The Systems Engineer IV Senior Specialist provides advanced technical leadership in the development, integration, verification, and lifecycle support of complex systems with emphasis on electrical, electronic and communication subsystems. This role applies systems engineering principles across requirements definition, architecture development, interface management, design integration, verification/validation, risk management, and technical planning.
The engineer works independently on complex assignments, leads cross-functional technical efforts, and supports program execution from concept development through production and sustainment. The position requires strong collaboration with hardware, software, mechanical, test, manufacturing, quality, and program management teams to ensure the delivered solution meets performance, cost, schedule, and compliance requirements.
Essential Functions:
- Coordinate with other engineering support staff, commercial communication vendors, testing and operations personnel to ensure all customer requirements are met
- Ensure all engineered installation designs meet the guidelines of "best practices," security requirements and the intent of the requirement
- Participate in customer planning, technical exchange, and coordination meetings, as well as Engineering Review Boards at the local level
- Conduct site surveys, develop site designs, CONOPs, test and implementation plans, to include providing requirement analysis from the customer's request for change and translating those requirements into circuit designs, drawings, material lists, labor and hardware cost estimates, and implementation schedules, all in compliance with customer standards
- Participate in and provide site specific information for the project readiness review cycle, develop and conduct design reviews, and provide implementation coordination with affected user
- Ability to independently perform electrical and communication testing and repairs without technician assistance.
Qualifications:
- Degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related STEM field. Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 6 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate degree and a minimum of 4 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.
- Active Top Secret clearance with ability to obtain Sensitive Compartmented Information eligibility and a Counterintelligence Polygraph.
Preferred Additional Skills:
- IP and Serial network
- Network Hardware (Routers, LAN (L2) switches, Media Converters)
- Cable/Transport technologies (fiber, copper, etc.)
- Understanding of TDM, Network Timing Systems, Ethernet, TCP/IP
- Understanding of WAN technology
- CCTV concepts
- Electronics principles
- GPS systems
- IRIG timing
- RF Systems (SBand, CBand)
- Control Systems PLC, HMI, Ladder Logic
- Telecom DC Power plant
- Access Control / Intrusion Detection security systems
- Understanding of computer scripting (DOS, Linux, etc.)
- Virtual Machines (ESXi, VirtualBox)
- System Deployment: Install and configure cloud VoIP platforms, IP phones, and media gateways
- Operational Voice Systems (OVS)
- Test Equipment (Oscilloscope, Network Analyzer, T1 Test Set, Spectrum Analyzer, DVM, OTDR)
- Experience applying systems engineering processes across the product lifecycle.
- Experience with electrical/electronic systems development, integration, or test.
- Experience with requirements development, allocation, traceability, and verification.
- Experience working in cross-functional engineering teams on complex technical programs.
- Ability to analyze and resolve complex technical issues with limited oversight.
- Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California is $106,500 - $197,500.00. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.
L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.
Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.
L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer. Please click here for the E-Verify Poster in English or Spanish. For information regarding your Right To Work, please click here for English or Spanish.
L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.
L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.
Job Title: Senior Specialist, Systems Engineering (Electrical Subsystems)
Job Code: 42190
Job Location: Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
Job Schedule: 5/8 MON-FRI
Job Description:
The Assured Access to Space program is seeking highly skilled and motivated System Engineer to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will have background in space systems, stakeholder management experience, integration & test experience, electrical and communication systems maintenance, and management.
The Systems Engineer IV Senior Specialist provides advanced technical leadership in the development, integration, verification, and lifecycle support of complex systems with emphasis on electrical, electronic and communication subsystems. This role applies systems engineering principles across requirements definition, architecture development, interface management, design integration, verification/validation, risk management, and technical planning.
The engineer works independently on complex assignments, leads cross-functional technical efforts, and supports program execution from concept development through production and sustainment. The position requires strong collaboration with hardware, software, mechanical, test, manufacturing, quality, and program management teams to ensure the delivered solution meets performance, cost, schedule, and compliance requirements.
Essential Functions:
- Coordinate with other engineering support staff, commercial communication vendors, testing and operations personnel to ensure all customer requirements are met
- Ensure all engineered installation designs meet the guidelines of "best practices," security requirements and the intent of the requirement
- Participate in customer planning, technical exchange, and coordination meetings, as well as Engineering Review Boards at the local level
- Conduct site surveys, develop site designs, CONOPs, test and implementation plans, to include providing requirement analysis from the customer's request for change and translating those requirements into circuit designs, drawings, material lists, labor and hardware cost estimates, and implementation schedules, all in compliance with customer standards
- Participate in and provide site specific information for the project readiness review cycle, develop and conduct design reviews, and provide implementation coordination with affected user
- Ability to independently perform electrical and communication testing and repairs without technician assistance.
Qualifications:
- Degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related STEM field. Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 6 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate degree and a minimum of 4 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.
- Active Top Secret clearance with ability to obtain Sensitive Compartmented Information eligibility and a Counterintelligence Polygraph.
Preferred Additional Skills:
- IP and Serial network
- Network Hardware (Routers, LAN (L2) switches, Media Converters)
- Cable/Transport technologies (fiber, copper, etc.)
- Understanding of TDM, Network Timing Systems, Ethernet, TCP/IP
- Understanding of WAN technology
- CCTV concepts
- Electronics principles
- GPS systems
- IRIG timing
- RF Systems (SBand, CBand)
- Control Systems PLC, HMI, Ladder Logic
- Telecom DC Power plant
- Access Control / Intrusion Detection security systems
- Understanding of computer scripting (DOS, Linux, etc.)
- Virtual Machines (ESXi, VirtualBox)
- System Deployment: Install and configure cloud VoIP platforms, IP phones, and media gateways
- Operational Voice Systems (OVS)
- Test Equipment (Oscilloscope, Network Analyzer, T1 Test Set, Spectrum Analyzer, DVM, OTDR)
- Experience applying systems engineering processes across the product lifecycle.
- Experience with electrical/electronic systems development, integration, or test.
- Experience with requirements development, allocation, traceability, and verification.
- Experience working in cross-functional engineering teams on complex technical programs.
- Ability to analyze and resolve complex technical issues with limited oversight.
- Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California is $106,500 - $197,500.00. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.
L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.
Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.
L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer. Please click here for the E-Verify Poster in English or Spanish. For information regarding your Right To Work, please click here for English or Spanish.
See All 64 Electrical Systems Engineer Jobs in California
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Find JobsElectrical Systems Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Electrical Systems Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Electronics & Hardware
- Energy
- Science & Research
- Aerospace & Defense
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in electrical systems engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or closely related field from an accredited program
- Experience with systems engineering lifecycle including requirements, design, and verification
- Proficiency in tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent electrical modeling software
- Familiarity with DO-178, MIL-STD, or IEEE standards relevant to California defense and aerospace work
- Professional Engineer license from the California Board for Professional Engineers preferred for senior roles
- Ability to obtain or hold a U.S. security clearance for defense and government contract positions
Electrical Systems Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a electrical systems engineer in California?
The standard path begins with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from an ABET-accredited program, followed by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam administered through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. After gaining qualifying experience, engineers can pursue the Professional Engineer license in California, which is required or strongly preferred for senior and lead roles, particularly on public infrastructure and defense contracts.
How much do electrical systems engineers make in California?
Electrical systems engineers in California earn a median of about $144,040 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $81,840 for the lowest 10% to over $217,760 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire electrical systems engineers in California?
Employers hiring electrical systems engineers in California right now include Anduril, Mainspring Energy, and Apple, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, semiconductor firms, and clean energy companies makes it one of the deepest markets nationally for this role.
Which California cities have the most electrical systems engineer jobs?
The cities with the most electrical systems engineer openings in California are Menlo Park, Irvine, and San Jose. Los Angeles and San Diego drive volume through large defense and aerospace contractors headquartered there, while the Bay Area's concentration of semiconductor, clean energy, and electric vehicle companies accounts for a significant share of the remaining openings.
Are there remote electrical systems engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're limited, since most electrical systems engineering work involves hands-on lab testing, hardware integration, and on-site collaboration. About 18% of electrical systems engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those tend to cover model-based systems engineering, documentation, and requirements analysis rather than hardware-facing roles.
How can I get hired as a electrical systems engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to new-graduate rotational programs at California aerospace and defense employers such as Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and L3Harris, which regularly recruit ABET-accredited graduates with no prior industry experience. Adjacent roles like electrical engineering technician or test engineer at contract manufacturers in Southern California can also serve as a bridge. Completing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam early and building a senior capstone project around systems integration gives candidates a concrete edge in California hiring.
Where can I find and apply to electrical systems engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to electrical systems engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings for this role. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly from the listing.
See All 64 Electrical Systems Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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