Best Startups in San Diego Hiring Now

Mihailo Bozic
Mihailo Bozic
Updated October 15, 2026 · 7 min read

The top startups in san diego hiring right now on Migrate Mate include Dexcom, Qualys, and Kyowa Kirin, spanning medical devices, cybersecurity, biopharmaceuticals, cell therapy, and wireless technology. Migrate Mate tracks 139 live open roles across 7 startups in san diego as of October 15, 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 · 139 live roles from Migrate Mate, updated daily

  1. 01
    Dexcom

    Dexcom

    Medical DevicesEngineeringCommercial

    Dexcom has 53 open roles on Migrate Mate as of October 15, 2026, the most of any startups in san diego we track, concentrated in business operations (6) and AI (Artificial Intelligence) (4). 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

    • Business Operations6
    • AI (Artificial Intelligence)4
    • Engineering (Non-Software)3
    • Business Development3
    • Corporate Training3

    +30 roles across other teams

    Open roles53 open
    Sr Staff SW Development Engineer
    Remote · Remote
    View Job
    Staff IT Business Systems Analyst- Strategic Initiatives
    Remote · Hybrid
    View Job
    Sr AI/ML Engineer, Data Product & AI
    Remote · Hybrid
    View Job
    Sr. AI/ML Engineer, AI Research
    Remote · Hybrid
    View Job
    Marketing Research Manager
    Remote · Hybrid
    View Job
    See all 53 roles at Dexcom
  2. 02
    Qualys

    Qualys

    CybersecuritySaaSEngineering

    Qualys has 29 open roles on Migrate Mate as of October 15, 2026, concentrated in account management (3) and business operations (3). 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

    • Account Management3
    • Business Operations3
    • Sales3
    • Business Development3
    • Customer Service2

    +15 roles across other teams

    Open roles29 open
    Senior Principal Application Developer, Salesforce
    Foster City, CA · On-site
    View Job
    Site Reliability Engineer
    Raleigh, NC · On-site
    View Job
    Regional Director, West
    California · On-site
    View Job
    Customer Service Representative
    Raleigh, NC · Hybrid
    View Job
    Director, Integrated Marketing Programs
    Texas · On-site
    View Job
    See all 29 roles at Qualys
  3. 03
    Kyowa Kirin

    Kyowa Kirin

    BiopharmaRare DiseaseMedical Affairs

    Kyowa Kirin has 18 open roles on Migrate Mate as of October 15, 2026, concentrated in business operations (4) and biotech & life sciences (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

    • Business Operations4
    • Biotech & Life Sciences2
    • Accounting1
    • Administrative & Office Support1
    • Account Management1

    +9 roles across other teams

    Open roles18 open
    2027 Summer Intern - Translational Research
    West Windsor, NJ · Hybrid
    View Job
    Principal I, Global Regulatory Affairs-CMC
    Sanford, NC · On-site
    View Job
    Senior Specialist, Digital Quality (Quality Systems & Compliance)
    Sanford, NC · On-site
    View Job
    Sr. Maintenance Specialist
    Sanford, NC · On-site
    View Job
    Maintenance & Utilities Technician II
    Sanford, NC · On-site
    View Job
    See all 18 roles at Kyowa Kirin
  4. 04
    Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    BiopharmaOncologyCommercial

    Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has 15 open roles on Migrate Mate as of October 15, 2026, concentrated in business strategy (4) and account management (2). 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

    • Business Strategy4
    • Account Management2
    • Accounting2
    • Program Management1
    • Corporate Training1

    +3 roles across other teams

    Open roles15 open
    Director, Medical Communication and Publications
    South San Francisco, CA · Hybrid
    View Job
    Senior Director, Program Management
    South San Francisco, CA · Hybrid
    View Job
    Institutional Business Manager - Tri State Geography
    Remote · Remote
    View Job
    Territory Business Manager - New Haven
    Remote · Remote
    View Job
    Director, Clinical Operations
    Remote · Hybrid
    View Job
    See all 15 roles at Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
  5. 05
    BRAIN

    BRAIN

    BiotechAIResearch

    BRAIN has 14 open roles on Migrate Mate as of October 15, 2026, concentrated in accounting (4) and business strategy (2). 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

    • Accounting4
    • Business Strategy2
    • Customer Support1
    • Account Management1
    • Project Management1

    +5 roles across other teams

    Open roles14 open
    Security Engineer, Detection & Response
    San Francisco, CA · Hybrid
    View Job
    AI Platform Engineer Co-Op Intern, Winter 2027
    San Francisco, CA · Hybrid
    View Job
    AI Security Engineer Co-Op Intern, Winter 2027
    San Francisco, CA · Hybrid
    View Job
    Machine Learning Engineer, Applied AI Co-Op Intern, Winter 2027
    San Francisco, CA · Hybrid
    View Job
    AI Product Engineer Co-Op Intern, Winter 2027
    San Francisco, CA · Hybrid
    View Job
    See all 14 roles at BRAIN
  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
    Vericel Corporation

    Vericel Corporation

    Cell TherapyManufacturingClinical

    Vericel Corporation has 9 open roles on Migrate Mate as of October 15, 2026, concentrated in factory & production work (2) and business development (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

    • Factory & Production Work2
    • Business Development2
    • Community & Nonprofit Services2
    • Business Operations2
    • Biotech & Life Sciences1
    Open roles9 open
    Associate I, Cell Therapy Manufacturing
    Burlington, MA · On-site
    View Job
    Associate Production Scheduler
    Burlington, MA · On-site
    View Job
    Senior Specialist, Commercial Logistics
    Burlington, MA · On-site
    View Job
    Senior Financial Analyst
    Burlington, MA · On-site
    View Job
    Sr. Manager, Promotional Planning & Marketing Operations
    Burlington, MA · Hybrid
    View Job
    See all 9 roles at Vericel Corporation
  8. 07
    Airgain

    Airgain

    Wireless TechHardwareEngineering

    Airgain has 1 open roles on Migrate Mate as of October 15, 2026, concentrated in product management (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

    • Product Management1
    Open roles1 open
    Head of Operations/VP of Operations
    San Diego, CA · On-site
    View Job

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 53 open roles on Migrate Mate as of October 15, 2026, followed by Qualys (29) and Kyowa Kirin (18). Migrate Mate tracks 139 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 operations, business development, and account management. Across the 7 startups in san diego Migrate Mate tracks, business operations is the largest function at 15 of 139 open roles as of October 15, 2026, followed by business development (8) and account management (7).

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, 42% are remote or hybrid as of October 15, 2026. Remote availability varies by team and role, so each Migrate Mate listing shows its work location before you apply.