Packaging Engineer Jobs in California
Packaging Engineer jobs in California are in strong demand, with active hiring concentrated in food and beverage manufacturing, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, and e-commerce fulfillment, roles available from entry-level packaging technologist through senior principal engineer. The busiest hiring markets are the Los Angeles Basin, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Sacramento, where established employers such as Gallo, Gilead Sciences, and Amazon maintain significant packaging operations. Specialties seeing the most consistent California demand include sustainable packaging design, materials engineering, and automation-integrated production systems. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 93+ Packaging Engineer jobs
Location: San Jose, CA (on-site)
Backed by industry giants like NVIDIA, AMD and Intel and manufactured in partnership with the world’s leading semiconductor ecosystem, Ayar Labs’ co-packaged optics solution is key to unleashing next-generation AI scale-up architectures.
Ayar Labs is seeking a Principal or Senior Principal Advanced Packaging Engineer to help shape the Co-Packaged Optics revolution in High-Performance Computing.
The primary responsibility of the Advanced Packaging Engineer is to define an advanced packaging technology roadmap, enabling the transition from successful design of validation systems to incorporation into high-volume manufacturing. The Advanced Packaging Engineer is expected to drive the electrical package engineering team to success with first principles, collaboration and discipline.
Prior experience in photonics is not necessary; however, the candidate must display a propensity for growth. The exceptional candidate must be highly motivated and energetic, willing to collaborate with diverse, cross-functional teams. This is an on-site role in Ayar Labs’ San Jose Headquarter office.
Essential Functions
- Design and develop the package architecture from silicon validation to high-volume product adoption.
- Maintain technical documentation for delivery to vendors, manufacturing partners and customers.
- Provide mentorship to engineering staff throughout project execution.
- Collaborate with engineering and program management to make accurate risk assessments, driving critical project schedules.
- Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders including Reliability, Silicon Engineering, Validation, Design Service Vendors, substrate suppliers, and OSAT/assembly partners.
- Ensure appropriate standards for DFM, DFA, and DFR (design-for-manufacturability, -assembly, and -reliability) are met for all package deliverables.
- Define package-level specifications for high-speed electrical interfaces, including SerDes, PCIe, and die-to-die (D2D) interconnects.
- Define company standards for power distribution network (PDN) design, simulation and verification.
- Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering or related field plus 12+ years (15+ years for Senior Principal) of industry experience.
- Demonstrated experience in the design and validation of advanced package technology for SerDes, PCIe, die-to-die (D2D) interconnects, HPC .
- Expert in Power and Signal Integrity analysis and design, with proficiency in at least one major simulation tool (e.g., Ansys HFSS, SIwave, Cadence Clarity, PowerSI).
- Strong understanding of warpage, thermal and mechanical analysis of substrate technology.
- Exceptional technical communication skills.
- Experience in the design of high-power advanced package designs (>1kW).
- Experience in optical transceiver design and validation, especially co-packaged optics.
- Experience using agentic design and verification workflows (e.g., AI-assisted simulation setup, layout checking, or documentation generation).
- Track record of new product introduction (NPI), from concept through development and production release.
- Familiarity with JEDEC and other industry reliability/qualification standards.
Principals only. We are not accepting resumes from recruiters for this position. Remuneration for recruiting activities is only applicable subject to a signed and executed agreement between the parties. Please don’t send candidates to Ayar Labs, and do not contact our managers.
Ayar Labs is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and is strongly committed to all policies which will afford equal opportunity employment to all qualified persons without regard to age, sex, national origin, race, color, ethnicity, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. It is the policy of Ayar Labs to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. Veterans are more than welcome and encouraged to apply.
Location: San Jose, CA (on-site)
Backed by industry giants like NVIDIA, AMD and Intel and manufactured in partnership with the world’s leading semiconductor ecosystem, Ayar Labs’ co-packaged optics solution is key to unleashing next-generation AI scale-up architectures.
Ayar Labs is seeking a Principal or Senior Principal Advanced Packaging Engineer to help shape the Co-Packaged Optics revolution in High-Performance Computing.
The primary responsibility of the Advanced Packaging Engineer is to define an advanced packaging technology roadmap, enabling the transition from successful design of validation systems to incorporation into high-volume manufacturing. The Advanced Packaging Engineer is expected to drive the electrical package engineering team to success with first principles, collaboration and discipline.
Prior experience in photonics is not necessary; however, the candidate must display a propensity for growth. The exceptional candidate must be highly motivated and energetic, willing to collaborate with diverse, cross-functional teams. This is an on-site role in Ayar Labs’ San Jose Headquarter office.
Essential Functions
- Design and develop the package architecture from silicon validation to high-volume product adoption.
- Maintain technical documentation for delivery to vendors, manufacturing partners and customers.
- Provide mentorship to engineering staff throughout project execution.
- Collaborate with engineering and program management to make accurate risk assessments, driving critical project schedules.
- Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders including Reliability, Silicon Engineering, Validation, Design Service Vendors, substrate suppliers, and OSAT/assembly partners.
- Ensure appropriate standards for DFM, DFA, and DFR (design-for-manufacturability, -assembly, and -reliability) are met for all package deliverables.
- Define package-level specifications for high-speed electrical interfaces, including SerDes, PCIe, and die-to-die (D2D) interconnects.
- Define company standards for power distribution network (PDN) design, simulation and verification.
- Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering or related field plus 12+ years (15+ years for Senior Principal) of industry experience.
- Demonstrated experience in the design and validation of advanced package technology for SerDes, PCIe, die-to-die (D2D) interconnects, HPC .
- Expert in Power and Signal Integrity analysis and design, with proficiency in at least one major simulation tool (e.g., Ansys HFSS, SIwave, Cadence Clarity, PowerSI).
- Strong understanding of warpage, thermal and mechanical analysis of substrate technology.
- Exceptional technical communication skills.
- Experience in the design of high-power advanced package designs (>1kW).
- Experience in optical transceiver design and validation, especially co-packaged optics.
- Experience using agentic design and verification workflows (e.g., AI-assisted simulation setup, layout checking, or documentation generation).
- Track record of new product introduction (NPI), from concept through development and production release.
- Familiarity with JEDEC and other industry reliability/qualification standards.
Principals only. We are not accepting resumes from recruiters for this position. Remuneration for recruiting activities is only applicable subject to a signed and executed agreement between the parties. Please don’t send candidates to Ayar Labs, and do not contact our managers.
Ayar Labs is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and is strongly committed to all policies which will afford equal opportunity employment to all qualified persons without regard to age, sex, national origin, race, color, ethnicity, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. It is the policy of Ayar Labs to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. Veterans are more than welcome and encouraged to apply.
See All 93 Packaging Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Packaging Engineer JobsPackaging Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Packaging Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware12
- Telecommunications5
- Technology & Software4
- Manufacturing3
- Food & Beverage2
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in packaging engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in packaging science, mechanical engineering, or a closely related field
- Experience with packaging materials such as corrugated, flexible film, and rigid plastics
- Proficiency in CAD software for structural packaging design and prototyping
- Familiarity with ASTM, ISTA, or TAPPI testing standards for packaging validation
- Knowledge of FDA regulations for packaging used in food, beverage, or pharmaceutical applications
- Experience collaborating with supply chain, manufacturing, and marketing teams on product launches
Packaging Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a packaging engineer in California?
Most packaging engineer roles in California require a bachelor's degree in packaging science, mechanical engineering, materials science, or a related field, California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo offers one of the few dedicated packaging engineering programs in the state. California does not require a state-issued license specific to packaging engineering, though engineers who take on broader project engineering responsibilities may pursue Professional Engineer registration through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists.
Which companies hire packaging engineers in California?
Employers hiring packaging engineers in California right now include Apple, Nokia, and Google, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's dense concentration of food and beverage producers, consumer packaged goods brands, and life sciences companies means packaging engineers here work across a broader range of regulated and unregulated product categories than in most other states.
Which California cities have the most packaging engineer jobs?
San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Santa Clara have the most packaging engineer openings in California. Los Angeles anchors hiring through its massive consumer goods and e-commerce distribution sector, the Bay Area draws demand from food tech startups and pharmaceutical firms, and Sacramento's location near the Central Valley's agricultural processing industry supports steady openings outside the major coastal metros.
Are there remote packaging engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Packaging engineering is fundamentally a hands-on role, prototype evaluation, line trials, and materials testing typically require on-site presence. About 41% of packaging engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in specification writing, supplier qualification, and project coordination work that can be done away from the production floor.
How can I get hired as a packaging engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an internship or co-op secured during a packaging science or engineering program, particularly through Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's industry-connected curriculum. Large California food and consumer goods manufacturers such as Gallo and McCormick run structured new-graduate rotational programs, and many life sciences companies hire entry-level packaging associates who move into engineer roles after learning validation and compliance workflows. Candidates without a packaging-specific degree can also transition from adjacent roles in manufacturing engineering, quality assurance, or industrial design, especially with an Institute of Packaging Professionals certification.
Where can I find and apply to packaging engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to packaging engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly from the listing.
See All 93 Packaging Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Packaging Engineer Jobs