Engineering Technician Jobs in California
Engineering Technician jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor manufacturing, utilities, and civil infrastructure across entry-level through senior positions. The largest hiring metros are Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Diego, where employers like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Pacific Gas and Electric have long-standing operations. The most in-demand specialties include electrical, mechanical, and civil engineering technician roles tied to both defense systems and clean energy projects. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Engineering Technician JobsOverview
Showing 4 of 227+ Engineering Technician jobs
Assemble, integrate, and test high-power microwave and linear accelerator hardware, including RF structures, waveguides, and pulsed power systems
Perform precision mechanical assembly, alignment, and installation of accelerator and RF components
Support high-voltage and pulsed power testing following established safety procedures
Set up and operate test stands, data acquisition systems, and basic instrumentation (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, power meters)
Document assembly procedures, test results, and as-built configurations
Troubleshoot hardware issues and support root-cause analysis of component or system failures
Follow lab safety, radiation, and electrical safety protocols; contribute to continuous improvement of procedures
Required Qualifications
Associate degree or technical training in engineering technology, electronics, physics, or a related field (or equivalent hands-on experience)
Experience with mechanical assembly, electronics, or laboratory test equipment
Ability to read and follow engineering drawings, schematics, and written procedures
Comfortable working with hands-on hardware in a lab or industrial environment
Must be able to qualify for required safety authorizations, including radiation and high-voltage work, and comply with all applicable training and safety procedures.
Must be able to lift and move equipment weighing up to 50 lbs.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with RF, microwave, accelerator, or high-voltage systems
Experience in an R&D, accelerator, aerospace, or defense laboratory environment
Experience working collaboratively with engineers and scientists
Experience with LabVIEW for test stand operation, data acquisition, or basic automation and control
Ability to read and interpret PCB schematics and circuit diagrams
Experience diagnosing and troubleshooting electronic circuit issues at the board or system level
Notes:
6:30am to 3:00pm
VIVA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants have an equal opportunity for placement, and all employees have an equal opportunity to develop on the job. This means that VIVA will not discriminate against any employee or qualified applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Assemble, integrate, and test high-power microwave and linear accelerator hardware, including RF structures, waveguides, and pulsed power systems
Perform precision mechanical assembly, alignment, and installation of accelerator and RF components
Support high-voltage and pulsed power testing following established safety procedures
Set up and operate test stands, data acquisition systems, and basic instrumentation (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, power meters)
Document assembly procedures, test results, and as-built configurations
Troubleshoot hardware issues and support root-cause analysis of component or system failures
Follow lab safety, radiation, and electrical safety protocols; contribute to continuous improvement of procedures
Required Qualifications
Associate degree or technical training in engineering technology, electronics, physics, or a related field (or equivalent hands-on experience)
Experience with mechanical assembly, electronics, or laboratory test equipment
Ability to read and follow engineering drawings, schematics, and written procedures
Comfortable working with hands-on hardware in a lab or industrial environment
Must be able to qualify for required safety authorizations, including radiation and high-voltage work, and comply with all applicable training and safety procedures.
Must be able to lift and move equipment weighing up to 50 lbs.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with RF, microwave, accelerator, or high-voltage systems
Experience in an R&D, accelerator, aerospace, or defense laboratory environment
Experience working collaboratively with engineers and scientists
Experience with LabVIEW for test stand operation, data acquisition, or basic automation and control
Ability to read and interpret PCB schematics and circuit diagrams
Experience diagnosing and troubleshooting electronic circuit issues at the board or system level
Notes:
6:30am to 3:00pm
VIVA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants have an equal opportunity for placement, and all employees have an equal opportunity to develop on the job. This means that VIVA will not discriminate against any employee or qualified applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
See All 227+ Engineering Technician Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Engineering Technician JobsEngineering Technician Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Engineering Technician Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Tesla45
- Amazon7
- North Wind7
- Northrop Grumman7
- ZipLine6
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Manufacturing
- Technology & Software
- Construction & Real Estate
- Staffing & Recruiting
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in engineering technician jobs across California.
- Associate degree in engineering technology or a closely related technical field required
- Proficiency with CAD software such as AutoCAD or SolidWorks for design and documentation
- Experience with laboratory testing equipment, calibration, and technical data recording
- Familiarity with California electrical or building codes relevant to the specialty area
- Strong written communication skills for technical reports and compliance documentation
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and specifications
Engineering Technician Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a engineering technician in California?
The most direct path is completing an Associate of Science in Engineering Technology from a California community college or a Bachelor of Science in a related engineering discipline. California does not require a state license for most engineering technician roles, but technicians who perform work supporting licensed engineers on public projects may pursue EIT or certification through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. Relevant certifications from NICET strengthen candidacy, particularly for civil and fire protection specialties.
Which companies hire engineering technicians in California?
Employers hiring engineering technicians in California right now include Tesla, Amazon, and North Wind, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, defense contractors, semiconductor fabs, and large utilities means consistent demand for both entry-level and experienced technicians.
Which California cities have the most engineering technician jobs?
The California cities with the most engineering technician openings are Fremont, Palo Alto, and San Diego. Los Angeles anchors the list through its deep aerospace and defense manufacturing base, San Jose reflects Silicon Valley's semiconductor and hardware concentration, and San Diego is driven by naval defense contractors and biotech instrument companies, which together account for a large share of statewide postings.
Are there remote engineering technician jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Most engineering technician work is hands-on and site-dependent, involving physical equipment, lab environments, or field inspections that cannot be performed remotely. About 6% of engineering technician openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions tend to focus on documentation review, data analysis, or technical support coordination rather than direct testing or fabrication work.
How can I get hired as a engineering technician in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an associate degree program at a California community college paired with an internship or cooperative education placement arranged through the school. Large California employers like Northrop Grumman and PG&E run structured early-career programs that hire recent graduates into junior technician or technical associate roles. Adjacent starting points include production technician, quality control inspector, or laboratory assistant positions, and earning a relevant NICET certification before applying gives candidates a measurable edge in competitive markets.
Where can I find and apply to engineering technician jobs in California?
You can find and apply to engineering technician jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and metro areas. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty and apply directly to each one.
See All 227+ Engineering Technician Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Engineering Technician Jobs