Best Startups in San Diego Hiring Now

Mihailo Bozic
Mihailo Bozic
Updated July 16, 2026 · 7 min read

The top startups in san diego hiring right now on Migrate Mate include Dexcom, Qualys, and Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., spanning medical devices, cybersecurity, biopharmaceuticals, cell therapy, and wireless technology. Migrate Mate tracks 181 live open roles across 7 startups in san diego as of July 16, 2026, updated daily. San Diego's concentration of life sciences research institutions, defense contractors, and semiconductor engineering talent makes it one of the most technically dense hiring markets in the country.

The best Startups in San Diego hiring on Migrate Mate right now

Curated by our editorial team · 181 live roles from Migrate Mate, updated daily

  1. 01
    Dexcom

    Dexcom

    Medical DevicesEngineeringCommercial

    Dexcom has 104 open roles on Migrate Mate as of July 16, 2026, the most of any startups in san diego we track, concentrated in engineering (Non-Software) (5) and specialized engineering (5). Dexcom develops continuous glucose monitoring systems that give people with diabetes real-time data about their blood sugar levels. The company combines hardware engineering, software development, and clinical science under one roof, creating a broad range of technical and commercial roles.

    Roles by team

    • Engineering (Non-Software)5
    • Specialized Engineering5
    • Business Development4
    • Sales3
    • Business Analysis2

    +28 roles across other teams

    Open roles104 open
    Sr Medical Device Engineer (Process Development, Sensor Focus)
    San Diego, CA · On-site
    Apply
    Staff Data Engineer
    Remote · Hybrid
    Apply
    Hardware Engineer 1
    San Diego, CA · On-site
    Apply
    Staff Engineer, Business Process Transformation
    San Diego, CA · On-site
    Apply
    Technical Support Representative 2
    San Diego, CA · On-site
    Apply
    See all 104 roles at Dexcom
  2. 02
    Qualys

    Qualys

    CybersecuritySaaSEngineering

    Qualys has 23 open roles on Migrate Mate as of July 16, 2026, concentrated in sales (3) and business strategy (2). Qualys delivers cloud-based vulnerability management and compliance monitoring software to enterprise security teams worldwide. Its SaaS architecture and large enterprise customer base make it a stable environment for cybersecurity, engineering, and sales professionals.

    Roles by team

    • Sales3
    • Business Strategy2
    • Business Development2
    • Customer Success2
    • Cybersecurity2

    +12 roles across other teams

    Open roles23 open
    ETM Sales Specialist
    North Carolina · On-site
    Apply
    Marketing Program Director
    Colorado · Remote
    Apply
    Director, Product Management - Agentic AI Platform & Security
    Foster City, CA · On-site
    Apply
    FP&A Manager
    Foster City, CA · On-site
    Apply
    Account Executive SME
    Florida · On-site
    Apply
    See all 23 roles at Qualys
  3. 03
    Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    BiopharmaOncologyCommercial

    Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has 15 open roles on Migrate Mate as of July 16, 2026, concentrated in account management (3) and program management (1). Rigel Pharmaceuticals is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company with approved treatments in hematology and oncology already on the market. Its commercial-stage status means it hires across both scientific and go-to-market functions, not just research.

    Roles by team

    • Account Management3
    • Program Management1
    • Cloud & DevOps1
    • Business Analysis1
    • Customer Success1

    +5 roles across other teams

    Open roles15 open
    Associate Director, Medical Affairs Operations
    South San Francisco, CA · Remote
    Apply
    National Account Director
    Remote · Remote
    Apply
    Executive Director, Account Management
    Remote · Remote
    Apply
    AD, Global Supply Chain Planning & Logistics
    Remote · Hybrid
    Apply
    Senior Manager, Quality Assurance Program
    South San Francisco, CA · On-site
    Apply
    See all 15 roles at Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
  4. 04
    Vericel Corporation

    Vericel Corporation

    Cell TherapyManufacturingClinical

    Vericel Corporation has 13 open roles on Migrate Mate as of July 16, 2026, concentrated in business operations (5) and IT support (2). Vericel develops and manufactures cell therapy products for orthopedic repair and severe burn treatment, with multiple therapies in active clinical use. The company's manufacturing-intensive model creates demand for both scientific and operations talent.

    Roles by team

    • Business Operations5
    • IT Support2
    • Biotech & Life Sciences2
    • Consulting & Professional Services1
    • Electrical Engineering1

    +2 roles across other teams

    Open roles13 open
    Manager, Market Access
    Burlington, MA · On-site
    Apply
    Associate II, Cell Therapy Manufacturing
    Burlington, MA · On-site
    Apply
    Specialist, Manufacturing and Operational Excellence
    Burlington, MA · On-site
    Apply
    Senior Associate, Cell Therapy Manufacturing
    Burlington, MA · On-site
    Apply
    Sr. Manufacturing Compliance Specialist
    Burlington, MA · On-site
    Apply
    See all 13 roles at Vericel Corporation
  5. 05
    Kyowa Kirin

    Kyowa Kirin

    BiopharmaRare DiseaseMedical Affairs

    Kyowa Kirin has 12 open roles on Migrate Mate as of July 16, 2026, concentrated in cloud engineering (2) and clinical trials (2). Kyowa Kirin is a biopharmaceutical company with a specialty therapeutics portfolio spanning oncology, nephrology, and rare diseases. Its focus on underserved disease areas means teams work across small patient populations that require deep scientific and medical affairs expertise.

    Roles by team

    • Cloud Engineering2
    • Clinical Trials2
    • Clinical Support1
    • Account Management1
    • Accounting1

    +5 roles across other teams

    Open roles12 open
    North America Head of Scientific Communications
    Princeton, NJ · On-site
    Apply
    Oncology Account Manager - Columbus, OH
    Columbus, OH · On-site
    Apply
    Accountant
    Princeton, NJ · On-site
    Apply
    CRM Manager, Omnichannel Customer Experience (OCX)
    Princeton, NJ · On-site
    Apply
    Sr. Medical Director, Global Medical Affairs (Myeloid malignancies)
    Princeton, NJ · On-site
    Apply
    See all 12 roles at Kyowa Kirin
  6. Editor’s note

    What to look for in a San Diego startup

    San Diego's startup ecosystem splits across two distinct tracks: life sciences companies with long regulatory timelines and hardware or software companies with faster iteration cycles. Before applying, identify which track the company sits on, because the pace, funding structure, and career trajectory differ considerably. Reviewing a company's product stage, most recent funding round, and the mix of technical versus commercial roles currently open tells you a lot about where it is in its growth arc.

    Product Stage

    A company with products already approved and generating revenue offers more stability than one still in development. Commercial-stage roles tend to have clearer success metrics and more predictable team structures.

    Funding Runway

    Check when the company last raised capital and how long that typically sustains operations at its current size. Earlier-stage companies can move fast but carry more funding risk than later-stage or public ones.

    Role Concentration

    A company hiring heavily in one function, such as manufacturing or sales, signals where its current growth pressure is. Joining a team that is actively expanding usually means faster responsibility and more room to grow.

  7. 06
    BRAIN

    BRAIN

    BiotechAIResearch

    BRAIN has 9 open roles on Migrate Mate as of July 16, 2026, concentrated in program management (2) and business operations (1). BRAIN applies artificial intelligence to biological research and development, working at the intersection of computational methods and life sciences. The dual technical domain means the company hires people with backgrounds in both software and biology.

    Roles by team

    • Program Management2
    • Business Operations1
    • Cloud Engineering1
    • Accounting1
    • Engineering (Non-Software)1

    +3 roles across other teams

    Open roles9 open
    Business Operations Lead
    San Francisco, CA · Hybrid
    Apply
    AI Deployment Lead - GTM
    San Francisco, CA · Hybrid
    Apply
    AI Platform Engineer, DevX
    San Francisco, CA · On-site
    Apply
    AI Deployment Lead
    San Francisco, CA · Hybrid
    Apply
    Director of Strategic Finance
    San Francisco, CA · On-site
    Apply
    See all 9 roles at BRAIN
  8. 07
    Airgain

    Airgain

    Wireless TechHardwareEngineering

    Airgain has 5 open roles on Migrate Mate as of July 16, 2026, concentrated in accounting (1) and business development (1). Airgain designs and manufactures antenna systems and wireless connectivity hardware for commercial vehicles, public safety, and industrial applications. Its focus on physical hardware rather than software gives it a distinctive engineering profile compared to most San Diego tech employers.

    Roles by team

    • Accounting1
    • Business Development1
    • IT Support1
    • Construction Management1
    • Program Management1
    Open roles5 open
    Supply Chain Manager
    San Diego, CA · On-site
    Apply
    Sales Representative
    Jonestown, TX · On-site
    Apply
    Technical Support Associate I
    San Diego, CA · On-site
    Apply
    Field Application Engineer
    San Diego, CA · On-site
    Apply
    Executive Assistant and Project Coordinator
    San Diego, CA · On-site
    Apply
    See all 5 roles at Airgain

How startups in San Diego pay and equity works

Compensation at San Diego startups typically combines a base salary with an equity component, and the balance between the two shifts depending on the company's stage. Later-stage and publicly traded companies tend to anchor base pay closer to large-employer benchmarks, while earlier-stage private companies often offer larger option grants alongside more modest cash compensation. Benefits like health coverage, 401(k) matching, and paid leave are standard at commercial-stage companies but vary more widely at seed and Series A firms. The day-to-day trade-off at most San Diego startups is broader ownership of work in exchange for less organizational structure. Teams tend to be smaller, which means individuals carry more surface area across a role than they would at a large corporation. In life sciences specifically, that can mean contributing to regulatory submissions, manufacturing decisions, or clinical operations that a larger company would separate into distinct departments. For people who want to see the full scope of how a product gets built or brought to market, that breadth is one of the genuine draws of working at this scale.

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Startups in San Diego: Frequently Asked Questions

Which startups in san diego are hiring the most right now?

Dexcom is hiring the most, with 104 open roles on Migrate Mate as of July 16, 2026, followed by Qualys (23) and Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (15). Migrate Mate tracks 181 live roles across 7 startups in san diego in total, updated daily, so the order shifts as companies open and close positions.

Do startups in san diego pay well compared to larger tech companies?

Generally, yes. Growth-stage startups in San Diego are usually competitive with large tech and life sciences employers on base salary, particularly at the commercial stage. The difference shows up in how total compensation is structured: more of the package sits in equity, whether restricted stock units at public companies or stock options at private ones. Earlier-stage companies tend to offer lower base salaries paired with larger option grants, while later-stage and post-IPO companies close the gap on cash comp considerably.

What kinds of roles do startups in san diego typically hire for?

Startups in san diego hire most heavily in business development, engineering (Non-Software), and sales. Across the 7 startups in san diego Migrate Mate tracks, business development is the largest function at 7 of 181 open roles as of July 16, 2026, followed by engineering (Non-Software) (6) and sales (6).

Do startups in san diego hire remotely?

It depends on the company and the function. Of the roles Migrate Mate tracks across these 7 startups in san diego, 30% are remote or hybrid as of July 16, 2026. Remote availability varies by team and role, so each Migrate Mate listing shows its work location before you apply.